Aahana Swrup
Mary J. Blige’s collaboration with Lifetime, in which she became the executive producer of movies based on her songs, has reignited the public’s persisting passion for the talented multi-media artist. The romance drama films are based on her popular hits, starting with the Camrus Johnson directorial ‘Mary J. Blige’s Real Love.’ They revolve around the life of Kendra, a photographer who goes through the fluctuations of life and builds a family for herself with Ben Baldwin, her first and true love. Across the films, Kendra faces many challenges in her family life, including a rough divorce and the complications of motherhood. Therefore, after accompanying the on-screen photographer on her journey, the audience may find themselves intrigued by the off-screen reality of Blige and her own family.
Mary J. Blige has Moved on After Her Divorce
Mary Jane Blige, the renowned singer who rose to fame for her Hip-Hop/Soul and R&B tunes, had a string of relationships in her 20s, some often in the public eye. Eventually, in 2003, the then-32-year-old artist tied the knot with musical producer Martin “Kendu” Isaacs, who had become her manager over the course of their relationship. At the time, the couple seemed to be in a happy marriage, flourishing together in their personal and professional lives as a team. Nonetheless, a different truth emerged in 2016 when Blige filed for divorce around thirteen years after their marriage. Following allegations of infidelity, the singer also accused Issacs of being verbally abusive toward her, using insulting remarks about her career against her.
The divorce proceedings lasted for the following years, with both parties maintaining a negative image of each other. Even though the couple never had any biological kids together, as part of the separation, the court ordered Blige to pay spousal support to Issacs. Although she initially tried to fight for the termination of these alimony payments, she ultimately had to accept an order to pay her ex-husband thirty thousand dollars every month. Reportedly, Issacs attempted to seek more than a hundred thousand dollars in alimony, citing his unemployability and destitution. During this time, Blige released her thirteenth album, ‘Strength of a Woman,’ which heavily dealt with the emotional complications she went through in her marriage and subsequent divorce.
In 2018, Issacs and Blige’s legal separation was finalized. The artist has spoken out about her relationship a few times and has called her ex-husband a “con artist” who played her. Since then, Blige has had the time to work through the complications of her marriage’s very public end and has put the past behind her. In fact, years down the line, the artist seems to have moved on to a new romance.
Although she and her new partner have decided to keep their relationship out of the public eye for now, in an interview with Sherri Shepard, the artist shared that her new relationship is going well. “I feel good about me,” said the Grammy-award-winning singer. “I look good TO ME. I feel good to me. And so, I’m embracing me. So when you embrace you, everything is embracing you. When you want you, everything wants you. Everything good.”
Mary J. Blige is Prioritizing Her Career Over Having Kids of Her Own
During Mary J. Blige’s marriage with Martin “Kendu” Isaacs, she became a stepmother to his three kids from previous relationships, Jordan, Nas, and Briana Latrise. She has a close relationship with the kids and watched them grow up for more than a decade. She was dedicated to making the kids a part of her family and ensuring they felt loved and secure. Nonetheless, those relationships also seem to have ended alongside Blige’s marriage with Issacs. Latrise, who has pursued a career in music and continues to be in the public eye, has spoken about their deteriorating relationship and shared that she and Blige are no longer in touch.
On her part, Blige shared that she has no plans to become a mother any time soon. In a 2022 interview with E! Daily Pop, she expressed that she enjoys her freedom and wouldn’t want to give up the opportunity to make decisions on her whim. “I’m not there yet, so I’m good. I have nieces and nephews forever, and I’m always watching how people are scrambling around for babysitters. I don’t want to go through that (parenthood),” she said. The singer previously had a similar opinion on motherhood when she asserted that she wasn’t thinking about adopting or fostering on account of her busy career. Consequently, it seems that Blige is prepared to continue progressing her career at full speed without dividing her attention on any other priorities.
Read More: Martin “Kendu&” Isaacs: Where is Mary J. Blige’s Ex-Husband Now?
