Usher’s New Girlfriend Taking Control of His Business

Usher's girlfriend, former Def Jam exec Grace Miguel, has apparently usurped the power in their relationship, taking charge of all the smooth R&B crooner's professional affairs.

New York Post's Page Six reports that Miguel, 43, is both Usher’s co-manager and stylist and that she has asked him to clean house and axe his staff, which consists of choreographers, stylists, tour managers and more. Furthermore, Miguel wants the singer to fill these new vacancies with her people.

The first casualty of the bloodbath is allegedly Mark Cheatham, Usher's longtime CAA agent. Usher, 32, began his career working with Cheatham, who had no comment on the matter, saying, "I don't know anything about it. I've been with Usher for a long time. I've been on great terms with Usher. Talk to my publicist."

When an agent sends someone to talk to his PR rep, something must be up, especially since Usher is no longer listed as a CAA client. Overall, a source close to Cheatham said that "Mark is really upset. He's been with him from the beginning. He thinks Usher will come back. He's just waiting." Let's hope Miguel doesn't try and force Usher to sever ties with his teen BFF, Justin Bieber!

History is repeating itself, since Usher often becomes romantically involved with business associates. His mother Jonetta Patton served as manager and when Usher married his stylist Tameka Foster in 2007 and she and Patton subsequently clashed, he fired his mom-a-ger! Usher rationalized that "[I paid her] the ultimate compliment -- to retire her to be a full-time grandmother" to Vibe at the time. Usher and Foster, who have two children, have since divorced and he seems to be doing Miguel's bidding at present time!

Reps for both Usher and Miguel did not respond to requests for comment.