Rags To Riches: Celebs Who Turned Their Pain Into Their Passion
7. Mary J. Blige
In July of this year, Mary J. Blige opened up about her sexual abuse as a child on VH1’s “Behind the Music.” She explained that the abuse haunted her for years and gave way to self-esteem issues. “When I was 5 years old I was molested and just, you know. I remember feeling, literally right before it happened, I just could not believe that this person was going to do this to me…That thing followed me all my life. The shame of thinking my molestation was my fault. It led me to believe I wasn’t worth anything.” Blige has used her hurtful past, and like many artists, found some healing in writing music. Her expression through her songs is a healthy portal to let those feelings of anger, sadness, hurt, and neglect slowly disappear.
