As a child I always wanted to be a singer. The music my mother played in the house moved me - Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Mahalia Jackson. It was truly spiritual. It made you understand what God was. We are all spirits. We get depressed. But music makes you want to live. I know my music has saved my life.
Mary J. Blige

For the first time in my life, I'm proud of myself.
Mary J. Blige

God comes first - if I don't love him, I can't love anybody, and if I can't love me I can't love nobody.
Mary J. Blige

I barely have time for my own children. To adopt more children and not have time for them, that would be poor parenting on my part.
Mary J. Blige

I believe there are certain things that God uses to get us out of a bad situation, and I believe music was one of the things he used for me.
Mary J. Blige

I can see the music. I know what it looks like. I know what color it is. The words come easy, the tears come easy, and the joy comes easy. The music tells you what to do.
Mary J. Blige

I can tell you I didn't feel good when I could not articulate properly. Getting my GED was important and I want other women to feel that.
Mary J. Blige

I didn't never have to go to a therapist. I just always put it in a song and you heard me.
Mary J. Blige

I do consider myself part of black history.
Mary J. Blige

I don't think I'll do foster care or adopt, to be quite honest.
Mary J. Blige


I listen to gospel music.
Mary J. Blige

I remember a time when all my fans were crying and sad and going through hell. Now, we're trying to uplift each other and accept ourselves for who we are, even if nobody else does.
Mary J. Blige

I was inspired to create 'My Life' so I could finally share a personal part of my life beyond my music.
Mary J. Blige

I wish I had an extra day with my mom sometimes. Or another hour in the day with my family, husband and children.
Mary J. Blige

I wouldn't adopt, but what I will do is give my time and go and try to be there for people.
Mary J. Blige

I'm on my way to a place where I'd never dreamed I'd be, and that's perfection.
Mary J. Blige

I'm striving toward this acting thing. I'm definitely gonna work hard on that, whatever comes my way, I'm gonna work hard on it.
Mary J. Blige

I've just been growing right along. It's painful, but it's a great pain, and I like suffering for great results. It's like going to the gym. It hurts really bad at first, but after a couple of months and after that diet, you're looking so hot.
Mary J. Blige

It was only for two years, and I jumped from family to family. It's very scary.
Mary J. Blige

It's challenging to find an identity as a young person if you don't have the sustenance of love, because you're being shipped around.
Mary J. Blige