Does Usher Deserve Privacy in light of alleged reckless sexual behavior?





Singer and songwriter Usher Raymond IV, also known as "Usher" could be held liable for allegedly exposing sexual partners to the second variant of the herpes-simplex virus or HSV-2, even if those partners haven't contracted the virus.

Photo courtesy of BET.com.





By Justin K. Thomas

August 10, 2017



According to Mindie Barnett, president and chief executive officer of MB and Associates Public Relations, personalities such as “Usher,” whose full name is Usher T. Raymond IV do not necessarily have a right to absolute privacy from public scrutiny when the issue involves allegedly spreading sexually transmitted diseases.


“Celebrities realize that their lives aren’t private anymore,” Barnett said. “That being said, the advent of social media, tabloid magazines, and the paparazzi have helped to increase the public’s interest because a lot of people want to know more about famous movie stars and musicians, especially if they have a persona of being engaging and ‘clean-cut.’”


While many people are shocked about the singer’s rumored condition, Usher’s potential case serves as a reminder of the frequency and ease of STD infection and reckless sexual behavior.


The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta confirms that state legislatures around the country have enacted laws to protect citizens from purposeful exposure to STDs from others by establishing legal penalties. However, state governments have also provided stipulations to those applicable laws to allow for the maximum amount of privacy for sufferers of STDs under reasonable circumstances, according to the CDC.


But, the severity of those consequences is dependent upon the jurisdiction in question, according to Barnett.





Mindie Barnett is the president and chief executive officer of MB and Associates PR. Her firm has worked with television shows and publications that include Access Hollywood, The Chew and Glamour Magazine and maintains offices in New York City and Philadelphia.

Photo courtesy of MB and Associates Public Relations.





“If these accusations are found to be true against Usher, he could find himself in legal trouble,” she said. “Depending on the location where the complaint is originally filed and proven, it could actually be unlawful because he did not disclose his sexual health status. And that could bring about a favorable verdict for the victims involved.”


For example, under California law, alleged victims who have been unwittingly exposed to a sexually transmitted disease have the legal right to initiate a lawsuit pursuant that they have followed all initial legal obligations to the grievance.


A press conference was held Monday in New York City by attorney Lisa Bloom under direction from her clients who are identified as Quantasia Sharpton, Jane Doe and John Doe, all of whom said they consented to have sexual intercourse with Usher, according to recent news reports from Newsmax and Fox News. Sharpton claims that she and Usher had sex after a musical concert a few years ago. However, she has not tested positive for the second variant of the herpes-simplex virus or HSV-2, which Usher is said to have.


As to the future of Usher's public reputation and his privacy, Barnett said this situation would only get worse before it returns to normal. And he will have to work very hard at rebuilding his reputation if the charges are confirmed to be true.


“Before this is all over, the notion of Usher spreading an STD will sell many papers and draw more visitors and viewers to celebrity gossip websites and television shows,” she said. “Some people want to read and hear about the problems of celebrities because it’s more compelling than the good they may provide the world. If true, Usher will have to apologize and then turn this negative into a positive by possibly giving-back to and promoting non-profit organizations that focus on community health. So, only time and his forthcoming actions will tell if the public should give him a second chance.”