Mary J. Blige offered a candid reflection on her rise to stardom this week, admitting that her behavior during the mid-1990s left much to be desired.
During a guest appearance on Scott Evans’ “House Guest” show, the singer did not hold back when describing her younger self, labeling her past actions as those of a “monster.”
Blige, now 55, looked back at the era surrounding her 1994 sophomore album, “My Life,” as a period defined by hostility and ungratefulness. “I used to be a monster. 1994 Mary was horrible. Go Google it. You’ll see it. It was terrible, man,” she said during the interview.
The singer explained that this behavior often manifested in her interactions with the media and her professional circle.
The “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul” detailed how she would frequently lash out at journalists, particularly those who asked repetitive questions. Looking back from her current perspective, Blige expressed regret for her lack of professionalism during that time. She said that she now considers it “rude and ungrateful” to have treated people that way and noted that she eventually realized the attention from fans and media is a blessing.
This realization led to a period of deep personal accountability before the release of her 2001 hit album, “No More Drama.” In an effort to make amends, the singer revealed she asked her management team to coordinate meetings with every individual she had previously mistreated or disrespected. Blige said she sat down with each person to offer a formal apology for her past conduct. “It was humbling, but it wasn’t something I was afraid of,” Blige said of the apology tour.
She explained that she felt a spiritual necessity to correct her past mistakes because she knew her behavior had been “awful.” She told Evans that clearing her conscience helped remove emotional roadblocks and paved the way for the continued success of her long-standing career.
Blige says she’s no longer that difficult person, emphasizing that she has finally learned how to handle the responsibilities of fame with grace.