The 'My Life' singer talks about her early career as a singer, revealing that her managers 'tried to change' her by forcing her to take manners and posture classes.
- Jun 27, 2021
AceShowbiz - Mary J. Blige's handlers sent the singer to etiquette school when she was starting out so she could act more like a lady.
The R&B superstar took manners and posture classes, but the idea of becoming more polished was not a good fit for the "Family Affair" singer.
"They tried to change me earlier in my career," she tells the New York Post. "They did send me to etiquette school, and all types of stuff, but I just couldn't feel it because I didn't feel like myself."
"I just did it because that is just who I was - and I wasn't standing upright. I had to grow into these gowns, and grow into walking with my back up straight."
The news comes as the multiple Grammy winner celebrates the release of her documentary, "Mary J. Blige's My Life", in which she looks back over her impressive career, explaining all the fame and money didn't make her happy.
"I don't care if I have $1 billion," she adds. "Just because you have money, it means nothing if you are not happy in your heart, and your spirit, and with yourself."
Mary suffered from crippling depression and suicidal thoughts. "If I did not have music... I probably wouldn't be here," she says of her upbringing in Yonkers, New York. "There were so many things that happened... My mom struggling to raise us as a single mother. My dad not being around as a little kid, letting us struggle in a place that was terrible. I love him and respect him now, but I was angry for years about it."
The new film streams via Amazon from Friday (25Jun21).
