Mary J. Blige Says She Still Believes in Love Despite Past Heartbreaks: 'I Want a Man!'

Jack Irvin, Dave Quinn
·4 min read

"I'm not going to let a bad relationship or a bad marriage stop me from having a good life," said the R&B superstar in a new interview

<p>Derek White/Getty Images for TV One</p> Mary J. Blige

Derek White/Getty Images for TV One

Mary J. Blige

Romance is still in the cards for Mary J. Blige.

The R&B superstar opened up about moving beyond past relationships and continuing to believe in love during an interview on TODAY with Hoda & Jenna to promote her upcoming third annual Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit.

Blige released a new single titled "Still Believe in Love" last year, and she told hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager that its lyrics are "absolutely" representative of her current outlook.

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"That's the only way I'm able to be my own company," said the 53-year-old Grammy winner. "Because I believe in love for myself, I'm not going to give up on love. I’m not going to let a bad relationship or a bad marriage stop me from having a good life and having romance and getting the hugs that I want and the desire and kisses."

According to the "Family Affair" singer, she used to consider herself "hard" to love but now refuses to internalize such negative feelings.

"I want a man! I want love, I want it all, and I’m not going to let my past stop me from that," said Blige, who divorced her ex-husband Kendu Isaacs after 12 years of marriage in 2016.

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<p>Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images</p> Mary J. Blige in New York City in October 2023

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Mary J. Blige in New York City in October 2023

"It’s because I love myself like that, I’m able to draw things to me, and I’m able to receive the love that I know I deserve," added the "Just Fine" musician, who also revealed she's currently dating.

In another new interview with CBS Mornings, Blige spoke about the inspiration behind "Still Believe in Love," which was written while she was going through the divorce in 2016.

"I was trying to believe in something other than what I was living in and dealing with, and that’s hate, self-hate, you know? I started this journey during that marriage, that sparked the lyrics for ‘Good Morning Gorgeous,’ and that’s the love for myself," she said, referencing her 2022 single and album of the same name.

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"So I still believe in love; I’m not going to give up on love, I’m not going to give up on romance, I’m not going to give up on myself. I’m not going to do that," added Blige.

As for how she's feeling at the current moment? "I’m in love, I believe I deserve a good relationship with myself, with a partner. When you believe it, it comes to you like that," she told CBS Mornings.

Blige is focusing on putting good energy out into the world. "If you believe something negative, then that’s what’s going to happen to you. If you believe something positive, then that’s what’s going to happen to you," she said.

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Related: What Mary J. Blige Does Every Morning That Changed Her Life: 'I Didn't Love Myself'

<p>Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty</p> Mary J Blige performs in New York City in October 2023

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

Mary J Blige performs in New York City in October 2023

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The Power actress continued, "I’m not saying life is not full of negative things. Bad things are going to happen. But I know how to keep those things away from me, those negative things, by being positive. And it’s not easy, but I’m doing it."

On Wednesday, Blige announced her third annual Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit will be taking place in her native New York City from May 10-11. Over its two days, artists including Blige, 50 Cent, Jill Scott, Fat Joe and more will deliver performances, while conversations and comedy shows will also go down.

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