by Mary J. Blige has long been heralded as the “Queen of Hip Hop Soul” for her groundbreaking blend of hip hop, R&B, and soul music that has inspired countless artists over the past three decades.
While she rose to fame in the early 1990s for her raw and emotional lyrics that gave voice to pain and struggle, Blige has never walked that journey alone. Throughout her illustrious career, she has been surrounded and supported by a loyal circle of strong female friends both within and outside the entertainment industry. These close friendships have sustained Blige through good times and bad and helped shape her into the legendary artist and role model she is today.
Celebrity Friends
Queen Latifah
One of Blige’s longest and closest friendships in the industry is with Queen Latifah. The two powerhouse artists came up in the music business around the same time in the early 1990s and have remained supportive of one another ever since. Latifah was one of the first major celebrities to take Blige under her wing and offer guidance as she navigated fame and the music industry as a young Black woman. They collaborated musically on several projects in the 1990s, including starring together in the 1995 girl-power film “Set It Off.” Over the decades, their bond has only deepened as they’ve continued to champion each other’s work, attend events together, and offer words of encouragement both publicly and privately. Latifah was even a groomsmaid at Blige’s wedding in 2003, demonstrating the deep trust and sisterhood between the two icons.
Gabrielle Union
Blige met actress Gabrielle Union while starring together on the BET series “Being Mary Jane” in the mid-2010s. The two instantly clicked and have been inseparable ever since. Union has spoken about how Blige embraced her with motherly love and wisdom during a difficult time following Union’s miscarriage. They regularly turn to each other for support, attend movie premieres, concerts, and award shows together, and hype each other up on social media. Both outspoken advocates for women’s empowerment, Union and Blige make time to uplift other women in the industry as well through their friendship and platforms.
Taraji P. Henson
Blige and Taraji P. Henson share a bond going back over 15 years, having worked together on films like “Think Like a Man” in 2012 and the hit TV series “Empire” from 2015 to 2020 where they played mother and daughter. Off screen, their friendship has blossomed into a deep sisterhood. The two are regularly spotted together at events, concerts, and hanging out with their families. They also motivate each other to keep chasing dreams and using their voices for change. Henson has said Blige is “like family” and that her friendship and guidance have been invaluable over the years.
Janet Jackson
One of Blige’s longest and most impactful friendships within the industry has been with Janet Jackson. The music icons first met in the early 1990s and have collaborated on multiple projects together, including the hit single “I Get Lonely” in 1998 and the 1993 film “Poetic Justice” where Blige had her breakout role and Jackson produced the soundtrack. Despite pursuing solo careers, Jackson and Blige have remained close over three decades, attending events together, supporting each other’s business endeavors, and providing a listening ear and safe space when needed behind closed doors. Their enduring sisterhood is a testament to the power of friendship between strong Black women in an cutthroat industry.
Lauryn Hill
In the early days of her career, Blige found an ally and collaborator in fellow New Jersey native Lauryn Hill. They worked together on projects like the single “All That I Can Say” in 1999 and Hill’s film “Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit” in 1993. Beyond their creative partnership, Hill and Blige developed a bond rooted in mutual understanding of the challenges of being young Black female artists. They’ve supported each other from the sidelines over the years, attending concerts and events when schedules permit. Their friendship shows that meaningful connections can form early on and last through the test of time and distance.
Erykah Badu
Soul singer Erykah Badu is another longtime friend who has been in Blige’s corner for decades. The two 90s icons first connected through the Neo soul movement and have kept in touch both personally and professionally ever since. They’ve collaborated on the track “Bag Lady” in 1997 and Badu appeared on Blige’s 2008 album “Growing Pains.” Badu is known to check in on Blige from afar and offer words of wisdom when she’s going through struggles. Their easy camaraderie is a testament to the bonds formed between influential artists within the same era and genre.
Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys and Mary J. Blige’s friendship was built on a foundation of mutual respect for one another’s artistry. The piano prodigy cites Blige as one of her biggest inspirations and has said listening to Blige’s raw emotion got her through difficult times in her youth. Since the early 2000s, Keys and Blige have supported each other at awards shows and concerts when schedules permit. They’ve also joined forces creatively on projects like Keys’ single “No One” in 2007 and Blige’s album “The Breakthrough” that same year. Their bond shows how admiration can blossom into a lifelong sisterhood between peers.
Beyoncé
It’s no secret that Beyoncé counts Mary J. Blige among her idols and influences. So when the opportunity arose to work with her hero, Beyoncé jumped at the chance. The music icons teamed up on the hit single “Check On It” in 2005 from Beyoncé’s “B’Day” album. Since then, they’ve developed a friendship rooted in mutual respect. Beyoncé has spoken of Blige’s importance in blazing the trail for her own career and how much Blige’s artistry has meant to her over the years. Their bond is a testament to the power of crossing generations to form empowering connections.
Rihanna
In more recent years, Blige has taken younger peer Rihanna under her wing as the Barbadian singer’s career has blossomed. They connected in the studio in 2012 for the track “Pour It Up” from Rihanna’s album “Unapologetic.” Since, they’ve been spotted supporting each other at events when schedules allow. Rihanna has said Blige inspires her authenticity and cited her as an example of a Black woman thriving unapologetically in the industry. Their intergenerational friendship shows how meaningful guidance can be passed between eras.
Cardi B
One of Blige’s newest celebrity friendships is with fellow New Yorker Cardi B. The rapper has said she grew up idolizing Blige and named her as a major influence. In 2018, they joined forces on the track “Be Careful” from Cardi’s debut album “Invasion of Privacy.” Since linking up musically, Cardi and Blige have developed an easy rapport. They turn to each other for industry advice, hype each other on social media, and attend industry events together when possible. Their bond proves icons can connect across generations to inspire and support the next.
Non-Celebrity Friends
Beyond her A-list circle, Blige has also surrounded herself with a loyal group of friends outside the entertainment world who have been by her side for decades. These close confidants help keep her grounded amid fame and offer support in both professional and personal matters.
Natasha Walker
Blige’s longtime personal assistant Natasha Walker is like family after over 25 years together. Walker is one of Blige’s most trusted confidants, helping manage her schedule, career, and day-to-day life. They share an unbreakable bond of loyalty through all of Blige’s highest highs and lowest lows. Walker is there to offer a compassionate ear, honest advice, and brings laughter when it’s most needed.
Kelli Ali
Kelli Ali served as Blige’s manager for over 15 years, working closely with her from the 1990s into the 2010s. During that time, they developed a deep friendship that endures even after professionally parting ways. Ali was instrumental in navigating Blige’s early success and knows her better than most. She remains someone Blige trusts implicitly for guidance both personally and professionally behind closed doors.
Angie Martinez
Radio personality Angie Martinez first connected with Blige in the early days of her career. Over three decades since, their friendship has only strengthened. Martinez advocates tirelessly for Blige from the sidelines and uses her platform to champion her friend’s accomplishments. In turn, Blige sees Martinez as family and trusts her counsel both in the studio and in her private life.
Conclusion
Throughout her incredible 30+ year career in the music industry, Mary J. Blige has faced many highs and lows. However, she has never had to walk that journey alone thanks to the unending love and support of her close-knit sister circle. From industry legends to everyday friends, these women have uplifted Blige, caught her when she’s fallen, made her laugh through tears, and continue to push her
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