Mary J Blige had an interview with essence magazine that brought a little bit more light on Mary who already had a very open life through the years, whether it was her struggle with relationships til when she became happy with herself on her last record and probably will on the upcoming one.

Mary has co-founded FFAWN.org, Foundation For the Advancement of Women Now, centered in her hometown Yonkers, NY. Her goal was to create a place for women who were in similar or worst position then her, abused emotionally and physically, drugs, alcohol etc. "This work has been my mission,my motivation, since day one. On the first record i ever made I was telling the world what I've seen because it had such a terrible effect on me. I was so self-destructive. But I wasn't a terrible person. I was a victim of the circumstances." Mary shared with Cori Murray from essence magazine.

She's currently promoting her new record "Stronger" releasing next month and her co-starring movie along side Taraji P. Hensonand Tyler Perry in "I Can Do Bad All by Myself, in theaters now.


For this Essence made people post 100 questions on Mary's twitter and she answered them. Here's a few I thought were very interesting questions and well answered.

In preparing yourself for a godly marriage and to be a good woman to your husband, how did you not drag all the baggage from previous relationships into the new one?

Mary : I had to look at my husband as not being the person who did me wrong. Like, he didn't do it. It's not fair to him. He is not the reason why I am like I am. You must separate the past from the present. It's easier said than done, but it's not fair to the next person to drag them through something they didn't do.

What did you do to strengthen your faith?
Mary : I listen to Joyce Meyer, Fred Price and T.D. Jakes. I read the bible. I go into my little closet, and when I come outside, I try to walk out what I've learned. I'm not a follower. I'm a leader, and regardless of what anyone has to say, I know what works for me and what has gotten me this far.

There was more but you will have to read the rest by either purchase Essence magazine or going to their website.