It really does take a special type of individual to be a partner to an entertainer and Usher is raving about what he has with Jennifer Goicoechea.
In an interview with PEOPLE he said:
“I have an amazing partner, a support system,” …. “We have any amazing dynamic between our relationship where I’m able to be passionate still about what I do and have an incredible partner to work through some of the harder times as a young man dealing with children and dealing with the dynamic of how you communicate with them.”
Usher is father to Usher Raymond V, 15, and Naviyd Eli Raymond, 14, with ex-wife Tameka Foster.
With Goicoechea he shares daughter Sovereign Bo, 3, and son Sire Castrello, 2.
When it comes to communicating with kids, Usher says Goicoechea is a pro.
“She’s better at it than me in many lights. I’m a man-man, so I’m like, ‘This is what we’re doing,’ and I might be a little bit more disciplinary at times,” he says. Metaphorically, “If there’s a slap and a hug, I’m the slap and she’s the hug. But that creates balance.”
All in all, Usher says Goicoechea is his companion in every way.
“I’m very happy, very fortunate to have an incredible friend, not just a partner,” he says. “She’s my best friend and I love her.”
About Jennifer Goicoechea’s professional life
Jennifer was born to an Italian mother and a Puerto Rican father, grew up in Miami.
After high school, she continued her education in her home state.
According to her LinkedIn, she studied recording arts at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida, from 2003 and 2004.
Goicoechea first started off in the entertainment industry by shadowing her mother, Barbara Goicoechea.
Barbara has been the director of operations at ACT Productions, a Miami-based event and multimedia production company, since 1988.
Working with her mother gave Goicoechea the chance to land a position working as an assistant for singer Ciara, which kicked off her career in entertainment.
When Goicoechea relocated from Florida to the West Coast, she began representing artists under her management company, Boogs’N’Effect Management. One of her first artists was KING (née Keisha Rain).
She also worked at ASCAP as the director of rhythm & soul starting in January 2014.
After leaving ASCAP, Goicoechea became the senior vice president of A&R at Epic Records, a label owned by Sony Music Entertainment.
How Usher met his boo
Having worked in the music industry for years, Goicoechea crossed paths with Usher several times before they became romantically involved.
In March 2016, she shared a photo of herself whispering in his ear at an undisclosed event.
A few years later, in March 2018, she posted a throwback photo with him and other male creatives, including producer Bryan-Michael Cox, captioned simply: “Boys Club.”
However, it wasn’t until after they were photographed attending Thomas’ birthday celebration in Atlanta in June 2019 that rumors swirled of a possible romance between the two.
They were then spotted kissing backstage at a concert at the Hollywood Bowl in October 2019.
Photographer Jennifer Johnson shared a snapshot from the night on Instagram, writing:
“‘Cause she’s such a good kisser! ?Caught a rare moment with @usher backstage the other day. I stay catching moments like these boys be catching feelings!”
In December 2019, the newly-minted couple also cozied up at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ 50th birthday party in Los Angeles, per The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Usher also performed at the star-studded event.
