X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Mary J. Blige Biography

Birth Name:Mary Jane Blige

Birth Place:New York City, New York, United States

Profession Soundtrack, Actress, Producer, Music department

Fast Facts

  • Co-founded the Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now
  • In 2017, she received the Hollywood Film Breakout Performance Actress Award for her work on "Mudbound․"
  • Received the Legends Award at the World Music Awards
  • Her career started when an Uptown Records CEO recieved a demo cassette tape she had recorded at a karaoke machine at the mall and signed her to a record contract
  • Quote: "I know who I am and what I can do․ With each album, it's just me continuing to grow․"
  • Quote: "My fans and I are living examples that you can turn a negative situation into something positive․"
  • Influenced by the music of Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan and Gladys Knight
  • Much of her R&B, hip-hop and soul music explores themes of love, devotion and inner strength
  • Her perfume, My Life, sold over 50,000 bottles in one day on the Home Shopping Network
  • Launched a line of sunglasses in 2009 called Melody
  • Based her song "No More Drama" on the soap opera "The Young and the Restless․"

Awards

  • 1997Grammy-Best Female R&B Vocal Performance: nominated
  • 2007Critics Choice Award-Best Song: nominated
  • 2007OFTA Film Award-Best Music, Original Song: nominated
  • 2009Satellite Award-Best Original Song: nominated
  • 2010Black Reel-Best Song: nominated
  • 2011HFCS Award-Best Original Song: nominated
  • 2011PFCS Award-Best Original Song: nominated
  • 2012Black Reel-Best Song: winner
  • 2012Critics Choice Award-Best Song: nominated
  • 2012Golden Globe-Best Original Song - Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2012World Soundtrack Award-Best Original Song Written for a Film: nominated
  • 2013WIN Award-Outstanding Actress Made for Television Movie / Mini-Series: nominated
  • 2014Hollywood Award-Best Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2016Black Reel-Outstanding Supporting Actress, TV Movie or Limited Series: nominated
  • 2016Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series: nominated
  • 2017ACCA-Best Original Song: nominated
  • 2017ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
  • 2017BFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2017BFCC Award-Best Ensemble: winner
  • 2017CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2017DFWFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2017FFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2017Gotham Independent Film Award-Breakthrough Actor: nominated
  • 2017Special Gotham Jury Award-Best Ensemble Performance: winner
  • 2017Hollywood Breakthrough Award-Breakthrough Actress: winner
  • 2017LAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2017NTFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2017OFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2017PCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2017VVFP Award-Best Supporting Performance: nominated
  • 2017WAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2018AACTA International Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2018Oscar-Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song): nominated
  • 2018Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2018Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2018Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2018EDA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2018Breakthrough Artist Award-: nominated
  • 2018AFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2018Black Reel-Outstanding Supporting Actress, Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2018Black Reel-Outstanding Original Song: winner
  • 2018Black Reel-Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Female: nominated
  • 2018Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2018DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2018Dorian Award-Film Performance of the Year - Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2018Robert Altman Award-: winner
  • 2018GAFCA Award-Best Original Song: nominated
  • 2018Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2018Golden Globe-Best Original Song - Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2018GMS Award-Best Song/Recording Created for a Film: nominated
  • 2018HMMA Award-Best Original Song - Animated Film: winner
  • 2018IFC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2018NCFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2018OFTA Film Award-Best Ensemble: nominated
  • 2018OFTA Film Award-Best Breakthrough Performance: Female: nominated
  • 2018Breakthrough Performance Award-: winner
  • 2018Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2019CinEuphoria-Best Ensemble - International Competition: nominated
  • 2020Black Reel-Outstanding TV Movie/Limited Series: nominated
  • 2021Hollywood Music In Media Awards (HMMA)-Best Original Song - Documentary: nominated
  • 2021HMMA Award-Best Music Documentary/Special Program: nominated
  • 2021Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2022BET Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2022Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: winner