Rihanna presented Mary J. Blige the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2019 BET Awards on Sunday night in Los Angeles.
“She changed the game with her unique style: the backwards cap, the baggy jerseys, y’all know the Mary J. look. She took it there with those thigh-high boots,” the Barbadian singer said, going on to praise Blige for her many successes.
Mary J. Blige with blonde hair on the blue carpet at the 2019 BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 23, 2019
Happy Mary, sad Mary … we’re here for all of it,” Rihanna said. “Mary J. Blige, you have set the bar for relatable, timeless, classic music. You opened multiple doors for female artists in this industry. And on behalf of all the women that came after you, like myself, thank you for being you so we can feel comfortable being ourselves. Thank you for pouring yourself into every track and giving us a song for every feeling. Thank you for showing us that love is all that we need. But we didn’t know how much we needed you.”
Blige accepted the award and thanked BET, her family, friends, Diddy, Andre Harrell, other collaborators, her team and fans. “People always ask how do I sustain and stay relevant in this industry,” the Queen of Hip-hop and R&B said.
“It’s because although I am a leader, a queen, a living legend, although I’m all of these things, I’m a servant as well and I’m here to serve. Being a servant is not always glamorous or popular, but it’s the job and assignment I was given. It’s because in order to be an authority, I had to learn how to come under authority. It’s because when the glory is placed on me, I give it back to God immediately. This journey has always been bigger than me and my job is not only to survive, right now it’s to thrive and continue to make history while I do it.”
Mary J. Blige arrived at the 2019 BET Awards wearing a white and silver Alberta Ferretti Fall 2019 gown with a deep v-neck. How do you like her blonde Donatella hair?
Mary J. Blige received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2019 BET Awards
Earlier this year, the 48-year-old singer-actress also attended the premiere of The Umbrella Academy in an orange Ralph & Russo dress with Brian Atwood gold pumps and Dena Kemp rings.
Mary J. Blige paraded her legs for the premiere of Netflix’s ‘The Umbrella Academy’ in Hollywood, California, on February 12, 2019
Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN / FayesVision