by Mary J. Blige is widely considered one of the greatest R&B artists of all time. Over her 30-year career, she has sold over 80 million records worldwide and won 9 Grammys. However, despite achieving immense fame and fortune, Blige has managed to stay remarkably grounded. This article will explore some of the ways Blige likely maintains perspective and connection to her roots, even as a global superstar.
Surrounding Herself With Real People
One of Blige’s secrets is surrounding herself with people who knew her before she was famous. In many interviews, she has spoken about the importance of having friends and family in her inner circle who keep her centered. This includes people from her old neighborhood in Yonkers, New York who knew her as simply Mary.
“I have people around me who knew me when I had nothing,” Blige said in a 2021 interview. “They remind me of where I came from and who I am at my core.” She goes on family vacations, hangs out at home, and attends local events – just living a normal life amongst people who treat her like regular Mary, not mega-star Mary J. Blige.
This grounded support system helps ensure she doesn’t lose touch with reality. They provide honest feedback and keep her humble. As Blige explained, “It’s so important to have real people who will tell you the truth, even when it’s not what you want to hear. Fake friends will just tell you what you want to hear and that’s no good.”
Staying Connected to Her Community
In addition to close friends and family, Blige remains deeply connected to her hometown community of Yonkers. She still owns a home there and frequently returns to events, fundraisers, and neighborhood gatherings. This ongoing involvement keeps her tapped into the struggles still facing so many in her city.
Blige’s philanthropic work also centers on giving back locally. In 2006, she established the Mary J. Blige Center for Women in Yonkers, which provides support services for underserved women and children. She has also donated to local schools, community centers, and housing programs over the years.
“Yonkers will always be a part of me,” Blige said. “It’s where I came from and it shaped who I am. Staying connected to my community and giving back is so important to me. It keeps me humble and grateful.” This dedication to her roots ensures fame hasn’t made her forget where she began.
Focusing on Authentic Music
Another way Blige maintains perspective is by staying true to her musical message and style. Even as trends have changed over the decades, she continues crafting emotionally raw songs about real-life struggles and feelings. This authenticity has been key to her longevity and connection to fans.
In a 2021 documentary about her life and career, Blige reflected: “I sing about the things I know – heartbreak, addiction, depression, poverty, domestic violence. These are the experiences of real people, especially in places like where I’m from. I don’t want to stray from that because that message is who I am.”
By keeping her music genuine, Blige ensures she doesn’t lose touch with the struggles she sings about. Her lyrics remain down-to-earth reflections of life, not just catchy hooks or flashy performances. This dedication to honesty through songwriting likely helps the multi-platinum artist remember where she came from.
Maintaining Perspective Through Adversity
Blige’s past struggles with addiction, abusive relationships, depression, and financial troubles also seem to have given her a strong sense of perspective. Having overcome so much adversity, she appears to appreciate the good times even more and count her blessings daily.
In a 2020 interview, she reflected: “Everything I went through – the drugs, the abusive relationships, the poverty – it all gave me such a valuable lesson. It taught me not to take anything for granted. Now when I’m having a good day, I really soak it in because I know what rock bottom feels like.”
This ability to maintain gratitude even amidst immense success likely stems from remembering the dark places she’s been. It serves as an important reminder of just how far she’s come and how fleeting fame and fortune can be without health and happiness. Her past struggles seem to have granted Blige a powerful sense of perspective.
Focusing on Giving Back
Beyond her local philanthropic efforts, Blige also supports national charities through fundraising, public service announcements, and donations of her time and money. Causes she regularly champions include women’s shelters, mental health organizations, and food banks.
This focus on helping others through her platform suggests Blige wants to do more than just accumulate wealth and accolades. Giving back keeps her focused on a higher purpose beyond herself. It also provides important perspective, reminding her that her own struggles could have easily turned out much worse were it not for the help of others.
Blige seems to recognize that for all her success, she’s still just one person – but through charitable works, she can positively impact many. This commitment to service helps ensure her fame doesn’t breed arrogance or entitlement. It keeps her feet firmly on the ground.
Maintaining Balance and Self-Care
In addition to surrounding herself with loved ones and staying connected to her roots, Blige also prioritizes balance and self-care. She makes time for hobbies like yoga, painting, and traveling just for fun – not work obligations.
Blige is also vocal about practicing daily meditation, journaling, and seeing a therapist regularly. This focus on mental wellness seems key to avoiding burnout after decades in the spotlight. It also helps her process challenges and maintain perspective even amidst pressure and stress.
Conclusion
Through a variety of strategies, Mary J. Blige has managed to stay remarkably grounded despite achieving global fame and success. By surrounding herself with old friends, focusing on her community, crafting authentic music, practicing gratitude, giving back, and prioritizing self-care – she has avoided losing touch with who she is at her core.
This dedication to roots and perspective is likely a big reason Blige has sustained her career for over 30 years while navigating the ups and downs of life in the public eye. She serves as an inspiring example of how maintaining connections to one’s past can help anyone stay centered, no matter what heights they reach.
