Mary J. Blige
Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Honors Award-Winning Performer Mary J. Blige with Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Watch as Mary J. Blige unveils her star on Walk of Fame below
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce proudly to announce that singer and actress Mary J. Blige was honored today with the 2,626th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 11:30 a.m. PST. The star was dedicated in the category of Recording at 6201 Hollywood Boulevard in front of Eastown.
“Mary J. Blige is one of the most popular singers of our generation. Fans will be thrilled to see her star on the Boulevard as her career milestones are celebrated on this very famous sidewalk,” stated Ana Martinez, Producer of the Walk of Fame ceremonies.
Helping Emcee and Hollywood Chamber President/CEO Leron Gubler to unveil the star were guest speakers Sean “Diddy” Combs and Andre Harrell.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce which administers the popular star ceremonies encourages people who are unable to attend and fans around the world to watch the event exclusively on www.walkoffame.com.
The iconic Grammy® Award-winning and Golden Globe nominated singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist, Mary J. Blige is a figure of inspiration, transformation and empowerment making her one of the defining voices of the contemporary music era. With a track record in the music realm of eight multi-platinum albums, nine Grammy® Awards (with a staggering 32 nominations) and worldwide sales of more than 50-million albums. Blige ventured into acting where she has already received nominations for a 2018 Golden Globe, a 2018 SAG Award and a 2018 Critic’s Choice Award all for Best Supporting Actress recognizing her work in the Netflix film “Mudbound” opposite Carey Mulligan and Garrett Hedlund. The film premiered to rave reviews last year at Sundance and is now available to stream on Netflix.
Born in the Bronx, New York, Blige began moving people with her soulful voice when at 18 she signed with Uptown Records in 1989, becoming the MCA-distributed label’s youngest and first female artist. Influenced at an early age by the music of Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan and Gladys Knight, Blige brought her own gritty, urban-rooted style—fusing hip-hop, soul and honest, frank lyrics—to the forefront on her 1992 debut album What’s the 411? The multi-platinum set, executive produced by Sean “Diddy” Combs, quickly spun off several hits, including two R&B No. 1s: You Remind Me and Real Love.
Blige helped redefine R&B and began forging a unique niche for herself on the more personal second album, 1994’s My Life. Blige is an artist who uses her gift of song to lift spirits and touch lives while bringing her heart, soul and truth to those who are willing to listen. She is loved for her passionate, chart-topping hits like “Be Without You”, “No More Drama” and “Family Affair” all of which have made her a force in music.
And so began the Blige movement: connecting legions of fans who identify with and have accompanied her throughout her personal travails and growth—all fearlessly related through her music. Each subsequent album reads like a chapter from an autobiography: Share My World (1997), Mary (1999), No More Drama(2001), Love & Life (2003), the multiple Grammy-winning and hit-spewing The Breakthrough(2005), Growing Pains (2007) and Stronger with Each Tear (2009). Along the way, she’s lined up a string of hit singles, including Not Gon’ Cry, Love Is All We Need, Seven Days, All That I Can Say, Family Affair and Just Fine.
In October 2013, Blige for Matriarch Records/Verve Records/Interscope Records released her first-ever holiday album titled, A Mary Christmas in collaboration with legendary producer, David Foster. The holiday album features Blige’s soulful interpretation of such classic holiday tunes as Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, and The Christmas Song. Blige is joined by several A-list guests such as Barbra Streisand, and performs duets with Jessie J, The Clark Sisters and includes a Spanish language collaboration with Mark Anthony.
Blige, who co-penned I Can See in Color for 2009’s “Precious” soundtrack, has branched out into acting. She appeared in Tyler Perry’s dramatic comedy, “I Can Do Bad All By Myself” in 2009 and starred in “Rock Of Ages,” alongside Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin and Russell Brand in 2012. Taking on a more dramatic role, in 2013, she starred as Betty Shabazz in the TV movie “Betty & Coretta,” a biographical story about the widows of Malcom X and Martin Luther King Jr. In November 2013, Blige starred as the mysterious guardian angel Platinum Fro in the holiday musical film drama “Black Nativity.” Ramping up her acting career, Blige has guest-starred on the ABC’s Black-Ish and How to Get Away with Murder, the FOX musical drama Empire and was seen playing Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West, on the NBC musical, The Wiz Live!
In 2014, Blige released her 13th studio album, The London Sessions, which reached the No.1 position on the Top R&B Albums chart and included a behind-the-scene documentary of her recording sessions thatpremiered at the Tribeca Film Festival 2015.
Earlier in 2017 Blige completed The King and Queen of Hearts World Tour with Maxwell, and released her 14th album titled Strength of a Woman. Her first single off the album, “Thick of It,” held the No. 1 spot on the Urban AC Chart for 16 consecutive weeks after its release.
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ABOUT THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME www.WalkOfFame.com
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is an internationally-recognized Hollywood icon. With approximately 24 star ceremonies annually broadcast around the world, the constant reinforcement provided to the public has made the Walk of Fame a top visitor attraction. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce continues to add stars on the Walk of Fame as the representative of the City of Los Angeles. The Walk of Fame is a tribute to all of those who worked diligently to develop the concept and to maintain this world-class tourist attraction. The Walk of Fame is open to the public. No paid admission or assigned seating at star ceremonies.It is understood that the cost of installing a star on the Walk of Fame upon approval is $40,000 and the sponsor of the nominee accepts the responsibility for arranging for payment to the Hollywood Historic Trust, a 501(c)3 charitable foundation. The funds are used to pay for the creation/installation of the star and ceremony, as well as maintenance of the Walk of Fame. Download the official app for iPhones and Android devices at http://officialhollywoodwalkoffameapp.com
For more than 96 years, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has provided leadership, business development resources, networking, and government affairs programs and services to keep the Hollywood business and residential communities safe, relevant and economically vital. Jeff Zarrinnam, is the Chair of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors 2017-18, and Leron Gubler is the President/CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. For more information please visit www.hollywoodchamber.net.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Sign are registered trademarks of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
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