Mary J. Blige.Photo: Rich Polk/getty
Mary J. Bligestays winning!
After calling Jackson, 56, one of her “biggest inspirations growing up,” Blige, 54, said that becoming a legend “takes a lot of time, hard work and a lot of surviving trial and error to achieve greatness.”
“What an icon means to me is overcoming obstacles to accomplish the unthinkable and be widely admired for having influence over a multitude of people, and that is what I’ve always represented,” the nine-timeGrammy Awardwinner said, as the crowd cheered.
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“The message in my music has always been that we are not alone in our struggles. And I’m not alone now,” she added. “For so long, I was searching for a real love, but I finally found my real love. And that real love is me.”
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Mary J. Blige and Janet Jackson.Rich Polk/getty
This award show marks Blige’s eleventh Billboard Music Award win, following a 1995 album of the year win forMy Lifeand nine trophies earned during herThe Breakthroughalbum era in 2006.
Ahead of the honor, she expressed gratitude forearning the esteemed award.
“My career has been such an incredible and unexpected journey that has included many turns into avenues I never could have imagined like acting, producing, launching businesses and now even my own music festival,” she said in a statement.
Mary J. Blige.Bryan Steffy/WireImage
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The Billboard icon award was established in 2011, and Blige follows previous A-list recipientsNeil Diamond,Stevie Wonder,Prince,Jennifer Lopez,Celine Dion,Cher,Janet Jackson,Mariah Carey,Garth Brooks, andPink.
RELATED VIDEO: Mary J. Blige Credits Fans for Helping Rescue Her from Suicidal Thoughts: “I’ve Got to Push Through”
Blige’s 2022 has already been jam-packed, as she released her 14th studio album,Good Morning Gorgeous, on Feb. 11 — two days before she delivered a show-stopping performance of 2001 hits “Family Affair” and “No More Drama” atthe Super Bowl LVI Halftime ShowalongsideDr. Dre,Snoop Dogg,Eminem,Kendrick Lamarand special guests50 CentandAnderson .Paak.
Ahead of the halftime show,the “Just Fine” singer spoke to PEOPLEabout representing women in an otherwise male-dominated performance.
The Billboard Music Awards are airing live from Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena at 8 p.m. EST on NBC and Peacock.
source: people.com
