Entertainment

Mary J. Blige Says She’s Going to Retire from Music in ‘5 or 6 Years’

The nine-time Grammy winner also shared that she plans to “do some more acting”

Mary J. Blige is sharing her retirement plans.

The R&B icon, 53, revealed in a new interview published on April 29 that she is looking to retire from the music industry in “five or six years.”

“Right now, I’m definitely gonna do some more acting and I’m definitely gonna retire in, like, five or six years,” Blige, who has had roles in The Umbrella Academy and Scream: Resurrection, told EXTRA. “Right now, I’m still doing what I’m doing but not as often as I was doing it because I don’t have to now.”

When it comes to the music she is currently making, Blige said she is “singing about life … love … being stable and understanding you can have things like love. You can have a good life.”

“Mostly the love I have for myself,” she told EXTRA. “… My real love is me and I found it.”

 

But while the singer may be looking to the end of her hugely successful music career, which has spanned over three decades, her achievements have still been coming thick and fast, including her induction into the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Blige was announced as an inductee, along with Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & the Gang, Ozzy Osbourne and A Tribe Called Quest, on American Idol on April 21.

Sharing her reaction to the news, Blige said she is “still trying to process everything.”

The “Just Fine” singer added to Extra that being honored this way is “the most amazing thing … it is in a class by itself.” Blige will also perform at the ceremony, which is set to take place on Oct. 19 in Cleveland.

Mary J. Blige in New York City in October 2023.

DIMITRIOS KAMBOURIS/GETTY IMAGES

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Earlier this month, Blige spoke to PEOPLE about her third annual Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit, which will be held in her hometown of New York City from May 10-12 for Mother’s Day weekend.

The three-day festival is the only one presented by an all-Black team of women and will see a host of celebrities making appearances at various events — including the Strength of a Woman Summit at The Glasshouse and other uplifting workshops and programming.

“It’s been amazing and exciting and just so fulfilling to do what I always wanted to do, continue to give people a piece of me, uplift us, inspire us and elevate us — the same way I’ve been doing through my music, I’m doing it through my festival now — and of course, entertain us as well,” Blige told PEOPLE. “It feels really good … It means so much to bring it home.”

During the interview, Blige also teased that the album she is currently working could be her last.

“I love it, I enjoy it, and it might be the last studio album. It might be,” she told PEOPLE.

Related Posts

Priyanka Chopra shares adorable glimpses of Diwali Pooja with husband,Nick Jonas and daughter Malti Marie

Priyanka Chopra celebrated Diwali 2024 in London with Nick Jonas and their daughter Malti Marie. The actress has shared family photos from their festive rituals on social media….

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas’s daughter, Malti Marie, delights us with her morning as she enjoys the ‘fall’

Priyanka Chopra shared an aww-so-cute photograph of her daughter, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas as she enjoyed autumn season. Check it out. Priyanka Chopra and her daughter Malti Marie’s…

Priyanka Chopra’s husband Nick Jonas reacts to her new Gunday pics with a comment every girl would want to hear

Nick Jonas set major husband goals once again as he gushed over his wife Priyanka Chopra’s latest behind-the-scenes pictures from the 2014 movie Gunday.     Priyanka Chopra’s…

Ciara reveals the honest challenges of having an 11-month-old daughter while cheering for Russell Wilson during the Steelers’ victory.

Ciara was every inch the doting mom as she enjoyed another game day cheering on husband Russell Wilson with her children on Sunday. The stunning singer, 39, was all smiles…

Ciara shows her support for her husband Russell Wilson by flexing custom outfits Steelers-Ravens game

The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 18-16 in Week 11, advancing to 8-2 on the season. Russell Wilson, who made his first start for the Steelers in Week 7, has led…

Ryan Reynolds shares a rare insight into his home life with Blake Lively and their four kids.

Ryan Reynolds has opened up his home life with wife Blake Lively and their four children. The “Deadpool & Wolverine” star, who shares daughters James, 9, Inez, 7,…