View the Gallery / 6 Photos »

Usher has confirmed reports that his mother will no longer be acting as his manager, a role which she has maintained since his career first took off when he was a teenager. However, he claims that it’s because he believes it will benefit their personal relationship to cut business ties.

“She and I are on great terms and support each other in our life’s endeavors. We are both very happy but are now working in different areas of the business,” he said in a statement to The Associated Press. “This is great for me because it means I now get to have my mother strictly as my mother with no added pressure.”

Somewhere, Papa Knowles is looking at Beyonce across the table and saying, “If I weren’t your manager, our relationship wouldn’t be worth shit. Ha! Ha! Daddy’s just kidding. (Turning grim) No he’s not.” And then it’s at that point that everyone erupts into awkward laughter. Then, Kelly meekly asks for someone to pass the peas.

(WENN)