One thing about Mary J Blige, she’s not going to let anyone stop her from being happy. The “No More Pain” singer hasn’t exactly had the easiest couple of years following her divorce from her ex-husband Kendu Isaacs, whom she had accused of having an affair after their split in 2016.
The following year, Mary was ordered to pay a whopping $30k a month in alimony, despite having laid out in court documents how Kendu allegedly spent over $400k in “travel expenses” — a sum which she insists was not spent on business-related activities nor activities that involved her in any way. And in her latest interview with Angie Martinez on the IRL podcast, the “Enough Cryin” hitmaker expressed how she has managed to turn the long-standing feeling of anger and frustration into happiness.
Mary J. Blige says she will “fuck anybody up” that tries to take away her happiness/self-love
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(@AngieMartinez) pic.twitter.com/p9pw9zeeiF— Glock Topickz (@Glock_Topickz) July 28, 2022
“Now I want love, but love for me first,” she said. “The love for Mary, I found it. And I’ll f*ck anybody up that tries to take it away from me, because it’s so real and so good, and I worked for it, and I earned it. And I keep having to work on it every single day — and it’s a job, it’s a real job.”
Angie interjected, expressing her happiness for her longtime friend, whom she has known for close to three decades. The radio personality acknowledged that the Grammy winner had come a long way and she would be an appropriate person to attest to that given their close bond.
Mary got up close and personal as she continued to recount how she always hated herself growing up, from the way she looked to the way she spoke. “I hated the sound of my voice, and I’d be like, ‘Ugh, that’s me?’ Now, it’s like, ‘I need to hear that again.’ It’s a miracle,” she said before breaking out into a laugh.
Meanwhile, back in July 2017, the 51-year-old gave an emotionally-charged show at the Essence Festival before opening up about the hurt and pain she endured as her marriage with Kendu had come to an end.
The pair were married for 12 years, during which time he also managed Mary’s career. She filed for divorce amid claims of infidelity, adding that her ex-husband had shown an “overwhelming disrespect” in their relationship and she wanted out.
Mary J. Blige on curating the set list for her Apple Music Live Concert, which premieres July 27:
“If you do not incorporate those classics, it will not be good.”
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While speaking to the audience, she said, “I don’t know if people seen the last eight or five years of my life, but it’s been hell. And it’s been ugly and it’s been public and it’s been nasty.
“So, in the midst of all that. And the stuff that people don’t even know about- fighting for my life, fighting for my marriage, fighting for my morals and everything- I discovered my strength. My strength, my real strength is discovered.”