The only person that I'm really feeling - because she has an identity of her own, even though she has listened to Mary J. Blige - is Jill Scott.

I felt ashamed about everything. Me dropping out of high school, me not, you know, just not being beautiful enough. I just didn't feel like I was smart enough or beautiful enough, you know, for years.

Believe in yourself when nobody else does.

The younger Mary J. Blige, I would call her, she was very unaware, ignorant.

I've been praying to God to show me how to forgive myself. Because... maybe... that's the thing I've been searching for.

I've learned so much from all my mistakes. I just wish I had gotten my education.

When life is real, it's not going to be smooth.