Activists and celebrities across the nation stood in solidarity with women and men who’ve been victimized by sexual assault/harassment and made their voices heard at Sunday night’s Golden Globes (Jan. 7).
Whether it was by wearing all-black ensembles or giving inspiring speeches like Cecil B. DeMille Award-winner Oprah Winfrey, the message of the night was resounding from the red carpet to the main stage. This was the case for the critically-acclaimed artist, Mary J. Blige.
The “Strength of a Woman” singer briefly talked with the Associated Press on sexual assault not only in Hollywood but in society as a whole.
“I’m actually happy and proud of these women,” Blige said. “It is their time, they’ve been hanging onto these things forever, for God knows how long, and now they’re speaking up and being set free.”
When the reporter asked Blige about her personal experience with sexual harassment, the Mudbound actress said she’s been battling unwarranted advances since she was five years old.
“I haven’t had anybody approach me like that since I’ve been in the music business, but ever since from five to 17 I’ve been going through hell with sexual harassment so by the time I got to the music business it was like, ‘Don’t touch me or I’ll kill you’,” Blige shared.
The Golden Globes nominated Blige for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture for Mudbound, a Netflix original film that has received critical acclaim since its debut in late 2017.