Mary J. Blige Compares Prayer to Therapy; Singer Relies on Faith to 'Feel It, Deal, Then Heal'
Mary J. Blige recently opened up about her own coping mechanisms for personal struggle while discussing her latest album "The London Sessions," acknowledging her complete reliance on faith.
The 43-year-old multi-Grammy Award-winner has endured her fair share of strife over the years, including struggles with addition and depression that began when she was just a teenager. However, Blige said she has never sought help in the form of therapy while dealing with her troubles. Answering questions about the lead track on "The London Series" which is entitled "Therapy," Blige revealed her healing through prayer.
"I've never sat down with a doctor like that, no," she told Billboard magazine. "But I meditate and pray and try to really take responsibility. That's therapy too, when you take responsibility for all the foolishness you're doing and all the things you did wrong."
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Blige was able to overcome a painful childhood, alcohol and cocaine addictions as well as bouts with depression through her Christian faith, and she has never entered rehab. Nevertheless, the star admitted, "It hurts."
"You got to feel it, deal, then heal," she continued before sharing one of the lowest points in her life.
The singer was just 23-years-old when her second album "My Life" sold nearly three million copies in 1994. Instead of reveling in success at the time, Blige was defeated by insecurity and self-loathing that traced back to being sexually abused by a family friend at the age of five. Fortunately, the "Family Affair" singer found God at the pivotal moment.
"I was ready to just check out," Blige recalled while speaking to Billboard. "It was a moment–I can't get into it– but I saw my life going and I was grabbing for it. I was like, "No, no, no, no.' That's when I realized I don't want to die. And I switched, and I started praying and crying, and my life shifted right there."
Meanwhile, "The London Sessions" marks Blige's 10th album and her first with Capitol Records. Its opening song "Therapy" was written by Sam Smith who has dominated charts with his single "Stay With Me." Furthermore, "The London Sessions" features other British stars such as Disclosure and Emeli Sande. The album hits stores on Nov. 24.
