Mary J. Blige is truly “unplugged, uncensored and unforgettable” like her cover of Los Angeles Confidential reads (pictured). Inside the recently revealed issue, Blige talks about everything from love and religion to battling addiction, Whitney Houston, gay marriage and more.
Mary on “No More Drama,” drug addiction and alcoholism:
“For me, it wasn’t preaching. For me, I was exorcizing demons. It’s extra hard for people like you and me because we want to be free and we speak about it.”
“What I did was I chose to learn how to drink socially and it didn’t work. The test comes when you have to decide whether you’re drinking to be social or drinking to cover up something again. To cover up depression. To cover up guilt. Shame. Abandonment. All of that, man. Once I realized, “There you go again,” I had to stop. Whitney Houston’s death really affected me. Her death is another reason I stopped. I really do think I’m done. I looked at how that woman could not perform anymore.”
Mary on same-sex marriage and love:
“I’m not God. God said not to judge anyone lest you be judged. That’s it. Who am I to point my finger? You’ve got to walk in love. To say you do not want people to be happy is so mean, so not me.”
Mary on being “high” at the Grammys in 1995:
Back then? Shoot. When I got that Grammy (Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group) I was high. Not at the Grammys I don’t think. But I was drinking like a crazy person. Still sniffing cocaine going in…
Mary on forgiving herself:
“I have. Just lately I have been saying that to myself a lot. “I forgive you, Mary. I forgive you.” I’ve been saying that to myself out loud. I’ve been praying to God to show me how to forgive myself. Because… maybe… that’s the thing I’ve been searching for.”
