Mary J. Blige wore black at the 2018 Golden Globes ceremony on Sunday (Jan. 7) in support of women who've experienced sexual assault and harassment in and out of the industry. This move meant more to Blige than you may possibly know.
The Queen of R&B Soul was repeatedly sexually assaulted for 12 years during her youth. While speaking to the Associated Press, Blige said about the women who've spoken up about their sexual predators: “I’m actually happy and proud of these women. It is their time, they’ve been hanging onto these things forever, for God knows how long, and now they’re speaking up and being set free.”
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Speaking about her personal struggles with assault, the singer continued: “I haven’t had anybody approach me like that since I’ve been in the music business, but ever since from five to 17 I’ve been going through hell with sexual harassment so by the time I got to the music business it was like, ‘Don’t touch me or I’ll kill you.’”
This wasn't the first time Blige has discussed her abusive past. She also addressed it on VH1's "Behind The Music" a couple of years ago. "When I was five years old I was molested and just, you know. I remember feeling, literally right before it happened, I just could not believe that this person was going to do this to me," Blige said.
At the Golden Globes, Blige was nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture for Netflix original film Mudbound. She will also be receiving her own star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, later this year.
Listen to her interview below!
Photo: Getty Images