by Mary J. Blige is renowned as one of the greatest R&B artists of all time.
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Over her decades-long career, she has won nine Grammys and sold over 80 million records worldwide. However, what many fans may not know is that Blige also has an excellent sense of humor. While touring and promoting her music, she has opened up about some of her favorite comedy films that always leave her in stitches. Here is an in-depth look at three movies that Mary J. Blige has publicly named as being among her favorites for a good laugh.
Coming to America (1988)
One of the comedy classics that Blige has mentioned loving time and again is the 1988 Eddie Murphy film Coming to America. Directed by John Landis, the movie tells the story of Prince Akeem of Zamunda, who is bored with his pampered royal life and travels to Queens, New York in search of a wife. To find a woman who will love him for who he is rather than his status, Akeem poses as an ordinary citizen working at a McDowell’s fast food restaurant.
The fish out of water comedy perfectly captures Akeem’s culture shock experiencing life as a commoner in America for the first time. From the outrageous barbershop scenes to memorable characters like Randy Watson and Sexual Chocolate, Coming to America is packed with hilarious moments from start to finish. Over 30 years later, fans can still quote lines like “It’s a big pizza pie” and “Your highness, this is McDonald’s. I gotta check you.”
In various interviews over the years, Blige has pointed to Coming to America as one of her all-time favorite comedies to rewatch. She appreciates how Eddie Murphy’s comedic genius and the ensemble cast deliver laugh after laugh. Even though she’s seen it dozens of times, Blige says it never fails to crack her up. The movie’s depiction of Akeem’s journey also resonates with her on a deeper level.
“I love how he goes out and finds true love outside of his kingdom and status. It shows you don’t have to be bound by the life you were born into,” Blige told Entertainment Weekly. “I relate to that message of breaking free and being your own person. And of course, the humor is just so clever and quotable. I know every line by heart but it’s still hilarious.”
White Chicks (2004)
Another comedy that Blige has given her stamp of approval to is the 2004 Wayans Brothers film White Chicks. Directed by Keenan Ivory Wayans, the movie stars Marlon and Shawn Wayans as FBI agents Marcus and Kevin Copeland. When the two brothers botch an undercover operation, they are forced to go undercover as rich socialite sisters Brittany and Tiffany Wilson to solve a kidnapping case.
Naturally, hijinks ensue as the brothers struggle to pass as stereotypical blonde, pampered white women in the Hamptons. Their exaggerated impressions of “basic” white girls and the outrageous disguises they don to fool everyone provide endless cringe-worthy laughs. While some found the premise offensive, Blige appreciated the movie’s slapstick humor and willingness to go to absurd lengths for comedy.
In a 2018 interview, she cited White Chicks as one of her favorite comedies. “I just thought it was so funny how far they took it,” Blige explained. “The way they acted, talked, everything – it was just so over the top. And their disguises, oh my god! I was crying laughing the whole time.” She admired how the film poked fun at racial stereotypes on both sides while still managing to be genuinely funny. For Blige, White Chicks delivered the lighthearted fun she looks for in a comedy.
Girls Trip (2017)
More recently, Blige has praised the raunchy 2017 comedy Girls Trip as another movie that left her in stitches. Written and directed by comedian Malcolm D. Lee, the film follows four lifelong best friends – Ryan, Sasha, Dina, and Lisa – who reunite for a girls’ weekend in New Orleans. Played by Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Tiffany Haddish respectively, the four women let loose with wild adventures both hilarious and cringeworthy.
Especially acclaimed was Tiffany Haddish’s breakout performance as the brash and unfiltered Lisa. Her improvised jokes and shameless antics provided many of the film’s biggest laughs. For Blige, Girls Trip perfectly captured the dynamic between close-knit friends. She told Entertainment Weekly, “The friendship between those four women is so real. I related to all of their personalities and the way they supported each other through everything.”
Beyond just laughing at the raunchy humor, Blige appreciated how Girls Trip showed the power of female friendship. She said, “It was so empowering to see black women uplifting each other and having each other’s backs no matter what. Their bond is what really resonated with me.” The movie’s message about the importance of sisterhood clearly struck a chord with Blige on a deeper level beyond just comedy. But she also admitted to cracking up out loud at Tiffany Haddish’s wild one-liners and scenes.
Additional Favorite Comedies
While Coming to America, White Chicks, and Girls Trip are three comedies Blige has explicitly named as favorites, it’s likely her taste spans much further. Some other films she may enjoy based on her humor include:
Friday (1995) – This stoner classic directed by F. Gary Gray and starring Ice Cube is beloved in hip hop circles for its depiction of South Central Los Angeles.
The Best Man (1999) – Blige appeared in the sequel The Best Man Holiday, so she’s probably a fan of the original romantic comedy directed by Malcolm D. Lee.
How High (2001) – This stoner buddy comedy starring Method Man and Redman incorporates Blige’s song “Family Affair” into a memorable scene.
Barbershop (2002) – As a fan of the Wayans Brothers, Blige probably appreciates this comedy directed by Tim Story and featuring an all-black cast.
The Hangover (2009) – Who wouldn’t find the misadventures of the Wolfpack hilarious? This raunchy breakout hit was a box office smash.
Girls Just Want to Have Fun (2019) – With her appreciation for Tiffany Haddish, Blige may have enjoyed this comedy the comedian produced and starred in.
Of course, Blige’s comedic tastes will continue to evolve over time. But films like Coming to America, White Chicks and Girls Trip show her affinity for raunchy humor, fish out of water stories, and movies celebrating black culture and friendship between women. Wherever her comedy interests lead, fans can bet Blige will be searching for her next laugh.
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