Mary J. Blige.Photo:Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET
Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET
Mary J. Bligecan now add movie producer to her long list of accomplishments!
The hip-hop queen, 52, has brought one of her biggest hits, 1992’s “Real Love,” to the small screen.Entertainment Tonightreports that Blige teamed up with Lifetime to turn the song — her very first top 10 hit — into a two-part original movie for the network. She served as executive producer for both films.
The singer told the outlet that the song’s inspirational message has continued to inspire her personally over the years and that she wanted the movie to capture that.“That’s been the strongest song in my journey. That’s what I’ve been searching for all my life — for real love and people. But then I’ve finally been working on myself and found it in myself,” she said. “Now I’m able to see that love matters and that relationship matters. Real love is important, and the strength of a woman is important; real love for myself has given me strength. So those are the inspirations.”
While Blige has been candid about her battle with drugs and alcohol in the past and has used her experiences as inspiration for her song lyrics, the Lifetime movies are based on original stories and not autobiographical.
Mary J. Blige.Bob Riha, Jr./Getty
Bob Riha, Jr./Getty
In the film’s second part, namedStrength of a Womanafter Blige’s twelfth studio album, the story picks up more than 15 years later. Kendra is now a successful photographer and grappling with a failing marriage when Ben unexpectedly reappears in her life.
In May, the “Just Fine” singer staged the second annual Strength of Woman Festival and Summit in Atlanta. The event aims to create a space tocelebrate, uplift and educate Black women. “I’m super excited because last year was bigger than what I even dreamed or imagined,” Blige told PEOPLE. “It was so successful that we’re doing it again, and I believe it’s going to touch more lives in a positive way.”
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Blige admitted that, as a young girl, she really never saw women being uplifted in her own community unless it came from the example her mother set. The Grammy winner said that because of her experience, she made it her “mission in life” to give back and help others.
Ser Baffo/Getty Images for BET
“Giving is a part of my life. And when I began to encourage women, I didn’t even know that I could start a movement like that,” she explained, adding that she’s dedicated herself to the fans who’ve supported her over the years.”
“I want kids to know that there are no limits to what they can accomplish,” Blige told PEOPLE about the book. “My wish is for my nieces and nephews to feel they can achieve anything they imagine. Growing up, I was constantly told that my dreams were too big, too bold, and too far out of reach. I think we need to reinforce that nothing is impossible.”
“From start to finish, this book has been my own dream — starting from just the idea, to partnering with Ashleigh Corrin and Harper Collins who helped bringMary Can!to life, to seeing the final and finished book — I couldn’t be more excited to share this with the younger generation,” she added.
Real LoveandStrength of a Womanare streaming now on Lifetime.
source: people.com
