Exclusive: Usher Reveals New Roller Skate Collab During Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show
Stephen Garner
Senior Editor
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Along with quite a show-stopping performance, Usher just gave football fans a sneak peek at his brand-new roller skate collaboration during the Super Bowl LVIII halftime show at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday.
The new skates, called the Flipper’s Quadz by Usher, were co-designed by the R&B superstar and Liberty Ross, co-founder and creative director of Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace. Usher’s pair along with the skates worn by his team of 15 performers on Sunday were handmade in the USA by Riedell Skates.
“Usher has been my business partner for the past two years,” Ross told FN during an exclusive pre-show walkthrough earlier this week. “We decided to work together because we both share the same dream of kind of nurturing our community that we love so much. The final skate took several months to develop, but overall, it was a really, really fun process.”
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A departure from the look of the traditional skating boot, Flipper’s and Riedell brought this premium design to life through advanced pattern making and luxury materials that reflect Usher and Ross’s overall vision. The upper is handmade in the USA on the classic Riedell 172 last that gives dance skaters the lift they require for technical performance.
The debut Flipper’s Quadz by Usher roller skate, which was worn by Usher’s team of skate performers, is made of premium leather and suede in a black colorway with blue accents on the upper. This colorway is the version now available to order.
Usher’s skate, however, is slightly different with hints of neon green accents on the upper. While these were made exclusively for Usher, Ross told FN that a second identical pair of the Confessions singer’s skates have been produced and will be auctioned off.
For Bob Riegelman, president and chief executive officer of the Red Wing, Minn.-based Riedell Skates, he is “proud of the best-in-class craftsmanship” that brought this vision to life. “Riedell has built its nearly 80-year reputation on quality,” Riegelman said. “We are uniquely qualified to partner with Flipper’s and Usher because of our focus on executing innovative designs no one else in the industry can do, while using high-end materials. It is exciting both for us and for skaters on the rink.”
Usher isn’t a stranger to roller skating. In 2022, he joined a group of other music artists for the opening of Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Later, Usher strapped on skates again for his two-year Las Vegas residency.
Usher released his latest album, called “Coming Home,” just days before Sunday’s big halftime show performance. This is his first full-length project since 2016’s “Hard II Love.”
Flipper’s Quadz by Usher, handmade in the USA by Riedell Skates, are now available at Flippers.World for $1,450. Each pair are made to order and may take approximately four weeks to ship.
