Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige Headshot

Singer • Songwriter • Actress • Philanthropist

Birth Date: January 11, 1971

Age: 53 years old

Birth Place: Yonkers, New York

Mary J. Blige made an immediate impression with her 1992 debut What's the 411?, and has remained one of R&B's more consistent artists in the decades since. Born in the Bronx, Blige had a tumultuous childhood; her father was a Vietnam vet with post-traumatic stress disorder; and Blige was molested by a family friend at a young age. She found solace in singing in church, but by age 16 had dropped out of school and was abusing various drugs. She was however still singing, and a cassette demo of her covering Anita Baker's "Caught Up in the Rapture" began making the rounds-- initially through her mother who was dating an Uptown Record executive. She was signed to the label and teamed with producer Sean Combs (then Puff Daddy), who oversaw much of the debut. A semi-autobiographical album, What's the 411? was framed with recordings from Blige's answering machine. Combs' production drew from modern hip-hop but allowed Blige to shine as a vocalist, She paid tribute to one role model, Chaka Khan, with a cover of Rufus' "Sweet thing" which joined "You Remind Me" and "Real Love:" as the album's hit singles. However Blige's newfound success coincided with one of her toughest personal periods, as she spiraled into depression and further drug use; it was also reported that she was in an abusive relationship with Jodeci member K-Ci Hailey. All of this was channeled into her second album, My Life, which was hailed as a modern R&B landmark. This time the classic soul influence was stronger than the hip=hop, and Blige had a hand in writing every song. Blige's personal life continued to inform her music; 1997's more upbeat Share My World celebrated her kicking both the drugs and the relationship with Hailey. She mined the same personal territory in 2001's No More Drama which produced her greatest hit, the Number One single "Family Affair." Meanwhile she launched an acting career, initially with music-related TV guest roles, but in 2004 she acted Off Broadway in the drama The Exonerated, playing a woman serving time for a crime she didn't commit. This led to her playing a variety of musical and dramatic roles, including starring as a supervillain in the Netflix series "The Umbrella Academy" (2019). She briefly hosted an Apple Music webcast, The 411, and surprised the first guest Hillary Clinton by singing a highly topical Bruce Springsteen song. As a recording artist Blige remains enormously popular; as of 2019 each of her thirteen studio albums has hit the Top Ten. During 2018 she was nominated for Academy Awards for the film "Mudbound," both as supporting actress and performer of the title song. She has become an entrepreneur, starting the Matriarch label and releasing her own brands of perfume and sunglasses. During 2019 she toured with Nas; the two also collaborated on the single "Thriving" which continued Blige's longtime message of personal strength.

Credits

Thriller 40Stream

Self
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2023

Live with Kelly and MarkStream

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Talk
2023

The Wine Down With Mary J. Blige

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2023

The 65th Annual Grammy Awards

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2023

Mary J. Blige's Real Love

Executive Producer
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2023

Mary J. Blige's Strength of a Woman

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2023

Sherri

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2022

Lost OllieStream

Voice
Rosy
Miniseries
2022
94%

BET Awards 2022: An All-Star Tribute to Lifetime Achievement Honoree Diddy

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2022

TIME100: The World's Most Influential People

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2022

iHeartRadio Album Release Party With Mary J. Blige

Self
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2022

Mary J. Blige Feat. Dave East: Rent Money

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2022

Mary J. Blige: Love Is All We Need

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2022

Mary J. Blige: Come See About Me (feat. Fabolous)

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2022

CBS Mornings

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2021

Celebrity IOU: Joyride

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2021

HHRB Collabs: Then

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2021

Good Vibes Fest

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2021

Holiday R&B

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2021

Mary J. Blige: Good Morning Gorgeous

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2021

Mary J. Blige Feat. DJ Khaled: Amazing

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2021

RespectStream

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Dinah Washington
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2021
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Mary J Blige's My Life

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2021

Mary J Blige's My Life

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2021

The Drew Barrymore ShowStream

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2020

Power Book II: GhostStream

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Monet
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2020

R&Bae Love

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2020

Classic Soul

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2020

HBCU '95 Jamz

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2020

Trolls World TourStream

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Queen Essence
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2020
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Body Cam

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Renee Lomito-Smith
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2020

Pink Skies Ahead

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Dr. Monroe
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2020
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The Violent Heart

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2020

Access Daily

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2019

Tamron Hall

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2019

Today With Hoda & Jenna

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2019

The Umbrella AcademyStream

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Cha-Cha
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2019
86%

Mary J. Hits

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2019

90s CultureIcons

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2019

Best of 1999

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2019

10 yrs of HHRB

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2019

'90s Def Jam

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2019

All About Love

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2019

Best '90s R&B

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2019

R&B Legends

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2019

Classic R&B Duos

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2019

Legendary Duets

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2019

Method Man Hits

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2019

Icons of R&B

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2019

R&B Anthems

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2019

Back to the 90s

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2019

Greatest Rappers 2

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2019

Women In R&B

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2019

Soul Nominees II

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2019

Drake Feat. Soul II Soul, Bruno Mars, Mary J. Blige: Family Feast

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2019

The Remix: Hip Hop X Fashion

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2019

The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of GospelStream

Executive Producer
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2019

2018 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

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2018

The Best of Tavis Smiley

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2018

Mary J. Blige: Her Walk to Stardom

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2018

The Best of Mary J. Blige

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2018

The Oscars

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2018

etalk's Ultimate Oscar Guide 2018

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2018

We Have a Dream

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2018

Mary J. Blige

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2018

R&B Icon: Mary J

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2018

R&B Heartbreak

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2018

R&B Queens

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2018

R&B Songstress

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2018

Remy's Icons

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2018

Empire Top Guests

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2018

Spring Showers

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2018

BBMAFemaleWins

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2018

Holiday R&B

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2018

HBCU Alumni

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2018

Family Feast

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2018

Sherlock Gnomes

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Irene Adler
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2018

Grammys Greatest Stories: A 60th Anniversary Special

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2017

George Michael: FreedomStream

Self
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2017
69%

One Voice: Somos Live! A Concert for Disaster Relief

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2017

Live with Kelly and Ryan

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2017

Mary J. Blige: U + Me (Love Lesson)

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2017

Taking the Stage: African American Music and Stories That Changed America

Music Performer
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2017

Mary J. Blige Feat. A$AP Rocky: Love Yourself (Remix)

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2017

Best Holiday R&B

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2017

Mary J. Blige: Strength Of A Woman

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2017

Sounds of the Season Live

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2017

Sounds of the Season Live

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2017

Chris Brown: Welcome to My Life

Self
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2017

Can't Stop, Won't Stop: A Bad Boy Story

Self
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2017

MudboundStream

Actor
Florence Jackson
Movie
2017
97%

The 411 with Mary J. Blige

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2016

Mary J. Blige: Thick Of It

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2016

Taraji and Terrence's White Hot Holidays

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2015

The Wiz Live!Stream

Actor
Evillene
Special
2015

Christmas in Rockefeller Center

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2015

The Making of the Wiz Live!

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Evillene
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2015

The Late Show With Stephen ColbertStream

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2015

The BET Life of

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2015

Glastonbury Festival 2015

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2015

Close Up With The Hollywood Reporter

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2015

Mary J. Blige: Mary J. Blige on Her Fashion Evolution for Style Files

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2015

BET Honors 2015

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2015

BET Honors 2015: Extras

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2015

The 57th Annual Grammy Awards

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2015

EmpireStream

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2015
84%

Champs

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2015

Variety Studio: Actors on Actors

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2014

A Very Grammy Christmas

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2014

2014 American Music Awards

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2014

Happy Holidays America

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2014

Mary J Blige at the Roundhouse

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2014

Mary J. Blige - Live At Itunes Festival

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2014

Black-ishStream

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2014
92%

Glastonbury

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2014

Soulpower

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2014

Late Night With Seth MeyersStream

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2014

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonStream

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2014

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonStream

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2014

Mary J. Blige: Right Now

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2014

Mary J. Blige: A Night to Remember

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2014

Mary J. Blige: Doubt

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2014

Mary J. Blige: Suitcase

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2014

Mary J. Blige: Night to Remember

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2014

Mary J. Blige: Whole Damn Year

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2014

Sam Smith: Stay With Me

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2014

Disclosure Feat. Mary J. Blige: F for You

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2014

Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade

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2013

Michael Bublés jul

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2013

Michael Bublé's 3rd Annual Christmas Special

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2013

Happy Holidays America 2013

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2013

Nobel 2013

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2013

The Queen Latifah Show

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2013

The Queen Latifah Show

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2013

The Real

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2013

Mary J. Blige: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

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2013

Mary J. Blige: My Favorite Things

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2013

Betty & Coretta

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2013

Black NativityStream

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Lucy
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2013
51%

iHeartRadio Music Festival

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2012

Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together

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2012

iHeartRadio Music Festival

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2012

Katie

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2012

Katie

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2012

Live! With Kelly and Michael

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2012

CBS This Morning

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2012

Rock of Ages

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Justice
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2012

A Home for the Holidays With Martina McBride

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2011

WWE Tribute to the Troops

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2011

LIVE with Kelly

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2011

LIVE with Kelly

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2011

2011 American Music Awards

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2011

The X Factor

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2011

The 2011 Billboard Music Awards

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2011

The VoiceStream

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2011

The VoiceStream

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Reality
2011

Mary J. Blige Feat. Drake: Mr. Wrong

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2011

Mary J. Blige Feat. Diddy & Lil Wayne: Someone To Love Me (Naked)

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2011

Mary J. Blige: Don't Mind

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2011

Mary J. Blige: 25/8

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2011

Mary J. Blige: The Living Proof

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2011

Mary J. Blige Feat. Rick Ross: Why?

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2011

DJ Khaled Feat. Fabolous, Jadakiss, & Mary J. Blige: It Ain't Over Til It's Over

Music Performer
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2011

Mary J. Blige: Black Hitsory Month 2012

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2011

The Talk

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2010

The Marriage Ref

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2010

Chatty Man

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2010

The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards

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2010

The 36th Annual People's Choice Awards

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2010

Mary J. Blige: Children of the Ghetto

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2010

Mary J. Blige Feat. Jay Sean: Each Tear

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2010

Mary J. Blige Feat. Trey Songz: We Got Hood Love

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2010

The 11th Annual A Home for the Holidays With Faith Hill

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2009

Christmas in Washington 2009

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2009

2009 American Music Awards

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2009

Retro Centric

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2009

ES.TV

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2009

ES.TV

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2009

The Jay Leno Show

Music Performer
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2009

The Dr. Oz Show

Guest
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2009

Watch What Happens Live With Andy CohenStream

Guest
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2009

Alan Carr: Chatty Man

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2009

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

Guest
Talk
2009

Mary J. Blige: Stronger

Music Performer
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2009

Mary J. Blige: We Got Hood Love

Music Performer
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2009

Mary J. Blige: I Am

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2009

Mary J. Blige Feat. Drake: The One

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2009

I Can Do Bad All by MyselfStream

Actor
Tanya
Movie
2009
61%

The Doctors

Guest
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2008

The Wendy Williams Show

Guest
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2008

The Wendy Williams Show

Music Performer
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2008

The VH1 Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Bash

Actor
Show
2008

Mary J. Blige: I Can Love You

Music Performer
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2008

Musiq Soulchild Feat. Mary J. Blige: If U Leave

Music Performer
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2008

Big Boi Feat. Mary J. Blige: Sumthin's Gotta Give

Music Performer
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2008

Musiq Soulchild Feat. Mary J. Blige: ifuleave

Music Performer
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2008

Private Sessions

Music Performer
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2007

Chelsea Lately

Guest
Talk
2007

Kirk Franklin Feat. Bono, Crystal Lewis, Mary J. Blige, R. Kelly and The Family: Lean on Me

Music Performer
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2007

The Better Show

Guest
Show
2007

Mary J. Blige: Stay Down

Music Performer
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2007

Mary J. Blige: Just Fine

Music Performer
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2007

30 RockStream

Guest Star
Mary J. Blige
Series
2006
78%

Rachael Ray ShowStream

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2006

The One Show

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2006

etalk

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2006

Mary J. Blige: We Ride (I See the Future)

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2006

Ludacris Feat. Mary J. Blige: Runaway Love

Music Performer
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2006

Young Hot Rod Feat. Mary J. Blige: Be Easy

Music Performer
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2006

Mary J. Blige: Be Without You

Music Performer
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2005

Made in Hollywood

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Series
2005

Ghost WhispererStream

Guest Star
Series
2005

The Tyra Show

Guest
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2005

So You Think You Can DanceStream

Music Performer
Reality
2005

Dancing With the StarsStream

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Reality
2005

Mary J. Blige feat. George Benson: Seven Days

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2005

Mary J. Blige: Take Me As I Am

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2005

Mary J. Blige: Enough Cryin

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2005

Mary J. Blige Feat. Brook Lynn: Enough Cryin

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2005

Mary J. Blige: Family Affair

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2005

Mary J. Blige Feat. Greg Nice: You Remind Me

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2005

Mary J. Blige Feat. U2: One

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2005

EntourageStream

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Mary J. Blige
Series
2004
65%

Happy to Be Nappy and Other Stories of Me

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2004

Extreme Makeover: Home EditionStream

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Reality
2004

Tavis Smiley

Guest
Talk
2004

Mary J. Blige & U2: One

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2004

Mary J. Blige: It's a Wrap

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2004

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

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Talk
2003

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

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2003

America's Next Top ModelStream

Guest Star
Reality
2003

Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream

Guest
Talk
2003

Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream

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2003

American Idol

Guest Star
Reality
2003
68%

American Idol

Judge
Reality
2003
68%

American Idol

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Reality
2003
68%

Mary J. Blige: Not Today

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2003

Mary J. Blige Feat. Method Man: Love at 1st Sight

Music Performer
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2003

The Neighborhood Ball: An Inauguration Celebration

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2001

Mary J. Blige: No More Drama

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2001

Mary J. Blige: Rainy Dayz

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2001

Mary J. Blige: Dance For Me

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2001

Prison Song

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Mom
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2001

All Access: Front Row. Backstage. Live!

Self
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2001

106 & Park: BET's Top 10 Live

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2000

Wyclef Jean Feat. Mary J. Blige: 911

Music Performer
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2000

Wyclef Jean Feat. Mary J. Blige: 911

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2000

One Life to Live Friday

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2000

One Life to Live Monday

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2000

One Life to Live Today

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2000

One Life to Live Yesterday

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2000

Mary J. Blige: All That I Can Say

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1999

Mary J. Blige: Deep Inside

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1999

Mary J. Blige: Your Child

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1999

In Performance at The White House

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1998

Kickin' It: With Byron Allen

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1998

The View

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1997

The View

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Talk
1997

Mary J. Blige: Seven Days

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1997

Mary J. Blige: Everything

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1997

Access Hollywood

Guest
News
1996

The Jamie Foxx ShowStream

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1996

The Chris Rock ShowStream

Guest
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1996

MoeshaStream

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Series
1996

Method Man Feat. Mary J. Blige: I'll Be There For You / You're All I Need to Get By

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1995

Entertainers: With Byron Allen

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1994

Extra

Guest
News
1994

Mary J. Blige: I'm Goin' Down

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1994

Mary J. Blige: Be Happy

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1994

Mary J. Blige: (You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman

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1994

Late Show With David Letterman

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1993

Late Show With David Letterman

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1993

Mary J. Blige: You Don't Have to Worry

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1993

Mary J. Blige: Real Love

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1992

Mary J. Blige: Reminisce

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1992

Mary J. Blige: Love No Limit

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1992

Mary J. Blige: You Remind Me

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1991

The Oprah Winfrey ShowStream

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1986

The Oprah Winfrey ShowStream

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1986

Entertainment Tonight

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1981

CBS News Sunday Morning

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1979

Good Morning America

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Good Morning America

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1975

Saturday Night LiveStream

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1975

Great PerformancesStream

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1972

One Life to LiveStream

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1968

Today

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1952

Today

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1952

News aboutMary J. Blige

Cher, Sinéad O'Connor, Mariah Carey

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominees Announced: Cher, Sinéad O’Connor, Mariah Carey & More

Kendrick Lamar Beyoncé Harry Styles

2023 Grammy Awards: 10 Artists With the Most Nominations

Beyoncé at the 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards

2023 Grammy Nominations: Beyoncé Ties Jay-Z’s Nominations Record

Mary J. Blige, Morgan Wallen, and Doja Cat

Billboard Music Awards: Full List of Winners as Mary J. Blige Gets Icon Award (VIDEO)

Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, and Snoop Dogg at the Super Bowl Halftime

Super Bowl Halftime Show: What Did You Think of Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige & Kendrick Lamar? (VIDEO)

Power Book II - 50 Cent and Michael Rainey Jr.
Exclusive

‘Power Book II: Ghost’: 50 Cent Returns as Kanan Stark in Season 2 Trailer (VIDEO)

Super Bowl Halftime Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Mary J. Blige

Super Bowl LVI Halftime: Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige & More to Perform

Jonathan Groff Gina Rodriguez

Jonathan Groff, Gina Rodriguez, Mary J. Blige and More to Star in Netflix Family Series ‘Lost Ollie’

Method Man in Ghost - Season 1 2020

Method Man Joins ‘Power’ Spinoff with Mary J. Blige (PHOTO)

RJ Cyler in Sierra Burgess Is a Loser
Preview

RJ Cyler on Mary J. Blige Playing His Mom on ‘Scream’ & the Relatability of ‘Sierra Burgess Is a Loser’

Mary J. Blige attends the 2018 Essence Festival

TV News Roundup: Mary J. Blige on ‘Scream’, ‘SNL’ Cast Exit, Kenya Barris’ Netflix Deal & More

Mary J. Blige performs onstage during the 90th Annual Academy Awards

Oscars 2018: Watch All of the Night’s Musical Performances (VIDEOS)

90th Annual Academy Awards Nominee Luncheon - Inside

Who Is Performing at the Oscars 2018? Mary J. Blige, Miguel & More

Mary J. Blige at the 90th Annual Academy Awards Nominee Luncheon

Mary J. Blige Gets Her First Full-Time TV Gig on Netflix’s ‘Umbrella Academy’

Mary J. Blige belts out 'The Christmas Song' on 'Taraji and Terrence's White Hot Holidays'

Mary J. Blige Belts Out “The Christmas Song” on ‘Taraji and Terrence’s White Hot Holidays’ (VIDEO)

The Wiz Live! - Season 1

The Best and Funniest Twitter Reactions to ‘The Wiz Live!’