Mary J. Blige is celebrating the 25th anniversary of her most influential work. The nine-time Grammy winner and Oscar-nominated singer and actress reflects on her 1994 album “My Life” in a new documentary. Directed by Vanessa Roth, “Mary J. Blige’s My Life” sees Blige playing the album live for the first time and exploring why her classic LP made such a major impact on fans.
“In the neighborhood we lived in, it’s like prison. There was a lot wrong and a lot I needed to get out — that’s why I had that pen,” the songwriter explains in a new trailer for the doc. She reveals, “‘My Life’ is probably my darkest album at one one of the darkest times I’ve had. Most of the times I was just depressed and didn’t want to live. I had it all inside and I was able to sing it and write it. I didn’t know that so many people felt the same way.”
The album, which also tackles addiction and abuse, resonated with millions of listeners — including Taraji P. Henson and Alicia Keys. “She made it OK for people to say, ‘It’s alright to be me,'” says Henson. Keys adds, “We still don’t get to see that a lot, you know — still.”
“A lot of young Black women could relate to where she came from,” we’re told.
“My Life’s” singles included “Be Happy” and “You Bring Me Joy.”
Blige made history as the first person ever nominated for acting and songwriting Oscars in the same year — she was recognized for her supporting role and original song in Dee Rees’ “Mudbound” at the 2018 ceremony. She has a supporting role in “Respect,” Liesl Tommy’s upcoming Aretha Franklin biopic.
Roth won an Oscar for producing “Freeheld,” a doc short that later served as inspiration for a feature starring Julianne Moore and Elliot Page. Her directing credits include docs “The Texas Promise” and “American Teacher.”
“Mary J. Blige’s My Life” launches on Amazon Prime Video June 25.
