Mary J. Blige turns 50: a look back(31 images)

Singer and actress Mary J. Blige arrives to perform in the "VH1 Divas Live" salute to Aretha Franklin at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 10, 2001. Photo by Ezio Petersen/UPI | License Photo

Blige (L) and Bono perform at the jam session held by presenters and inductees after the ceremony for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in New York City on March 19, 2001. Photo by Ezio Petersen/UPI | License Photo

Blige won Best R&B Video at the MTV Video Music Awards in New York City on August 29, 2002. Later that year, Blige was nominated for Best Female Artist at the American Music Awards. Photo by Ezio Petersen/UPI | License Photo

Blige (R) and The Chicks appear at the "Blue for Save the Music" press conference that unveiled a program with VH1 to restore music education programs in America's public schools in New York City on February 4, 2003. Photo by Ezio Petersen/UPI | License Photo

Blige performs during the NFL Kickoff celebration on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on September 4, 2003. Photo by Michael Kleinfeld/UPI | License Photo

Blige performs at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, N.J., on July 9, 2004. Later that year, she appeared at the Detroit "Vote or Die" rally hosted by Sean Combs, aka P. Diddy. Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/UPI | License Photo

Blige poses for photographers before a concert paying tribute to the late musician Ray Charles in Los Angeles on October 8, 2004. Photo by Francis Specker/UPI | License Photo

Blige arrives for the ABC Up-Front Presentations in New York City on May 16, 2006. Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/UPI | License Photo

Blige performs at Wembley Arena in London on June 17, 2006. Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI | License Photo

Blige poses with her three Grammys for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Album and Best R&B Song for her album "The Breakthrough," at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on February 11, 2007. Photo by Phil McCarten/UPI | License Photo

Blige accepts the ASCAP Voice of Music Award during the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards in Los Angeles on June 25, 2007. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Blige performs at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla., on October 10, 2008. Photo by Michael Bush/UPI | License Photo

Left to right, Oprah Winfrey, Mariah Carey and Blige attend the Toronto International Film Festival press conference for "Precious" in Toronto on September 13, 2009. The film was later named the Spirit Award's top film. Photo by Christine Chew/UPI | License Photo

Left to right, Kristian Bush, Blige, President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama sing at the conclusion of the Christmas celebration in Washington, D.C., on December 13, 2009. Earlier that year, Blige also performed at Obama's inauguration. Photo by Joshua Roberts/UPI | License Photo

Cast members Blige (L) and Taraji P. Henson arrive for the premiere of "Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself" in New York City on September 8, 2009. Earlier that year, Blige appeared as a guest judge on "American Idol." Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/UPI | License Photo

Blige performs as part of "Hope For Haiti Now: A Global Benefit For Earthquake Relief" at Kaufman Studios in New York City on January 22, 2010. MTV Handout Photo by Kevin Mazur/UPI | License Photo

Anita Baker (L) and Blige perform during the BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 26, 2011. Later that year, Blige performed at VH1's telecast honoring soul music. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Blige arrives at the Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on January 15, 2012. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Cast member Blige attends the premiere of "Rock of Ages" in London on June 10, 2012. Photo by Paul Treadway/UPI | License Photo

Blige performs during the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on September 6, 2012. Photo by Nell Redmond/UPI | License Photo

Blige (L) and Jennifer Lopez perform at the "Sound of Change" charity event in London on June 1, 2013. Later that year, Blige performed at the Rockefeller Center tree lighting. Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI | License Photo

Blige performs during the BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 25, 2017. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Blige arrives on the red carpet before the screening of the film "The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)" during the Cannes International Film Festival in Cannes, France, on May 21, 2017. The year before, Blige was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo

Blige was nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in "Mudbound," as well as for her song "Mighty River" for the film, at the Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on January 7, 2018. The film was also honored at the Women Film Critics Circle. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Blige lies next to her star during an unveiling ceremony honoring her with the 2,626th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles on January 11, 2018. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Blige presented the the SAG Awards in Los Angeles on January 21, 2018. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Blige attends the Academy Awards Oscar nominees luncheon in Beverly Hills, Calif., on February 5, 2018. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Blige was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Mudbound" at the Academy Awards in Los Angeles on March 4, 2018. She also performed at the ceremony. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Blige arrives for the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 4, 2018. Later that year, Blige appeared in Netflix's "The Umbrella Academy" teaser trailer. Photo by Christine Chew/UPI | License Photo

Blige performs during the BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 23, 2019. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Blige accepts the Lifetime Achievement award at the BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 23, 2019. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo