Member-only story
Real Spill: Mary J. Blige
The beginning, middle, and the bounce back
I’ve been going through hell since I was five years old.
-MJB
Somewhere in the world, even to this day, someone is listening to Mary’s music as the soundtrack to their life.
From childhood abuse, an absentee father, and growing up in the projects in Yonkers, NY, it didn’t seem she was destined to be an icon to be loved by millions.
My Life, Mary’s second studio album — a timeless classic that chronicled her tumultuous relationship with singer K Ci from the group Jodeci — sold millions while helping just as many through their own struggles in life.
The year of the albums release along with years to follow were some of Mary’s toughest to live through.
Her self proclaimed drinking and drugging lifestyle. The reputation of being difficult to work with by way of showing up late, high, and hungover preceded her many years.
As fans we watched her sing No More Drama, get married all the while cleaning up her life and creating great music.
Then came the divorce. A very public divorce. One that concluded with her owing her ex husband roughly $30,000/month in alimony, leaving her homeless and financially and spiritually shattered.
