In a new documentary commemorating the 25th anniversary of her record My Life, Mary J. Blige receives flowers. The Amazon Studios film, Mary J. Blige’s My Life, directed by Oscar winner Vanessa Roth, deconstructs the momentous release and all of the influences behind it.
“My Life is probably my darkest album at one of the darkest times I’ve had,” she remarked in the first teaser for the film, which was released on Tuesday. “Most of the time, I was just depressed and didn’t want to live,” she continued. I had it all within and was able to sing and compose it, and I had no idea how many other people felt the same way.”
The documentary will also include video from Blige’s first live performances from the record. “The only thing I think that kept us guided was the music… it just saved you,” she says at one point in the teaser. During another section, the singer discusses her upbringing in Yonkers and how it influenced her. The video captures an aura of resilience that originates directly from Mary’s energy and the relevant aspect of her life narrative that inspired her songs.
Along with snippets of Blige’s major career events, there are also brief footage of some of her most popular music videos, like “Real Love.” The documentary also has interviews with Diddy, who was responsible for the early stages of Blige’s music career at Uptown Records, Alicia Keys, and Taraji P. Henson. Throughout the moving video, fans seem to be charmed by Mary’s song.
The film was executive produced by Mary J. Blige and Diddy, with Quincy Jones acting as executive music producer.
On June 25, Mary J. Blige’s My Life will be available exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. Watch the trailer after the jump.