BET Awards 2022: See How Mary J. Blige Has Become Hollywood's Best Kept Secret
Singer, songwriter, and actress Mary J. Blige has been acting just as long as she’s been giving fans those iconic soulful hip hop records. The New York native made her acting debut on the hit sitcom The Jamie Foxx Show and has since appeared in over a dozen television shows and held roles in critically acclaimed films, including Netflix’s Mudbound. Her performance in the Dee Rees-directed period drama film earned the actress several accolades, including the Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress and Best Original Song, becoming the first person to be nominated for acting and song in the same year.
At the BET Awards 2022, Mary received a nomination for “Best Actress” for her contributions to Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s hit series Power Book II: Ghost. Ahead of this year’s event, hosted by actress Taraji P.Henson on Sunday, June 26 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, see how Mary has become Hollywood’s best kept secret.
Betty and Coretta
In 2013, Mary starred as Betty Shabaz, Malcolm X’s widow, and Golden Globe winner Angela Bassett, who portrayed Coretta Scott King in Betty and Coretta. This was one of Mary’s first roles in which her character had no musical component.
Body Cam
The actress makes her thriller debut in the 2020 film Body Cam. While investigating the murder of a fellow officer, veteran cop Renee Lomito, played by Marty, discovers a mysterious figure in the body cam footage. Haunted by visions of the event, Renee suspects something supernatural is targeting the cops in her unit.
Mudbound
In one of her most profound performances to date, Mary portrays Florence Jackson, the matriarch of a black family living in the Mississippi Delta during World War II, in Netflix’s Mudbound. The role earned the star an Oscar nomination for “Best Supporting Actress” at the 2018 ceremony. The film also stars Rob Morgan, Jason Mitchell, Garrett Hedlund, and more.
The Umbrella Academy
Mary is a time-traveling assassin named Cha-Cha whose sole mission is to eliminate people who “mess with the timeline” in Netflix’s hit series The Umbrella Academy.
RESPECT
The multi-hyphenated star portrayed singer Dinah Washington in the biographical drama film Respect, based on the life and career of legendary singer Aretha Franklin. Mary starred alongside Jennifer Hudson, who held the titular role of the Queen of Soul.
Tune into the BET Awards 2022 Sunday, June 26 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET.