The Woman of The Year award is one of many accolades that has received during her expansive career.
Glamour magazine hosted its annual Women of the Year award ceremony in New York City. Mary J Blige was one of four women honored at the star-studded event.
Taraji P. Henson was there to present the award to her longtime friend. Henson reminisced about hearing Mary J. Blige’s sing for the first time.
“That’s me! That girl is like me. She sounds like me, she is speaking the way my heart speaks. I felt seen,” Henson said.
The actress spoke about the singer’s raw emotion and honest lyrics.
“Vulnerability. It’s her superpower. “
The 52-year-old was also honored by the Sing Harlem Youth Choir who belted out a harmonious compilation of some of the songstress’ biggest hits.
Overwhelmed with emotion, the “You Remind Me” singer decided to forgo her pre-written speech and address the audience organically.
“To all you women out there. Keep loving on you,” she said to the audience.
Blige said she was happy to be celebrating the other honorees which included Quinta Brunson of Abbott Elementary fame.
“I’m excited that we’re all here as women of power doing amazing things and living amazingly feeling amazing and understanding our power as women. I’m excited for all of us,” the “Real Love” singer said in a red-carpet interview.
Blige has been candid about her struggles with depression. She admits that overcoming her obstacles is an ongoing battle.
“This is not an overnight success,” she told Glamour.
“This is not an easy thing, this new me, this new Mary. This is hard work,“ she said
“It’s easy to revert back to the past because that’s what you knew. Because you know the pain of the past will always try to pull you back.”
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Source: Black Enterprise
