Politixia
Mary J. Blige intentionally chose to live a child-free life when she was younger, largely because of the challenges she saw family members experience as parents. As she grew older, however, her perspective on motherhood began to shift slightly. The Grammy Award-winning singer opened up about her decision not to have children during an Aug. 19 episode of the IMO Podcast with Michelle Obama and her brother, Craig Robinson. During the conversation, Blige reflected on what shaped her decision when she was younger and how growing older gave her a different perspective on motherhood.
RELATED CONTENT: 12 Powerful Women Over 40, Child-Free by Choice And Living Their Best Lives
Mary J. Blige on The IMO Podcast: Blige said she wanted her freedom when she was younger.
Around the 45:15 mark, Robinson brought up Blige’s decision not to have children, prompting the singer to explain what influenced her choice.
“I said a lot of things when I was younger,” Blige, 55, told the brother-sister duo during the interview. “I didn’t want no damn kids,” she chuckled before opening up about some of the difficult experiences she witnessed among relatives who had children.
“I saw a lot of people struggling. I see a lot, you know, my family members needing babysitters and them not having a choice, no freedom. When you’re younger, those are the words you make, those are the choices you make: ‘I don’t want any kids,’” she said.
Mary J. Blige is doing “Just Fine” without children.
Through it all, Blige has continued to build a successful and influential career. In 2022, she launched the Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit, a women’s leadership event that has attracted hundreds of attendees. She has also earned nine Grammy Awards, including the 2009 award for Best Contemporary R&B Album, Growing Pains, while building a successful acting career with appearances in film and television projects such as Power Book II and Mudbound.
Blige launched her production company, Blue Butterfly, and signed a first-look TV deal with Lionsgate in 2019. Her production company scored a partnership deal with Lifetime to release three brand-new original films, one of which was Be Happy, a rom-com starring Tisha Campbell, Mekhi Phifer, and Russell Hornsby. It debuted in February of this year and marked the directorial debut of Academy Award–nominee Gabourey Sidibe.
RELATED CONTENT: ‘I Was Exhausted’ — Mary J. Blige Says The Quiet Part Out Loud Addressing Tour Memes With Grown-Woman Honesty
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings