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Home · Red Carpet

ESSENCE's Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige

ESSENCE's Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
By · Updated October 29, 2020
01
Guest of Honor

Mary J. Blige arrives to be honored as the first recipient of Essence’s Black Women in Music Award.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
02
Share My World

Mary J. and her husband, Kendu, smile for the cameras.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
03
The Chairman

Island/Def Jam Chairman, L.A. Reid, arrives to present Mary J. Blige with her Black Women in Music Award.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
04
Purple Reign

Gabrielle Union came through to show her love for Mary J.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
05
Over-the-Shoulder

Union takes a moment to pose for the cameras.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
06
Sisterly Love

Mary J. Blige arrives and gets a warm hug from Taraji P. Henson.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
07
Shoulder-to-Shoulder

Mary J. poses alongside Taraji P. Henson.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
08
All-Black Everything

Actress Taraji P. Henson arrives on the red carpet at the Black Women in Music celebration.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
09
All Smiles

Actress Tatyana Ali stopped to pose on the red carpet.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
10
Up Close and Personal

Actress Tatyana Ali attends the ESSENCE Black Women in Music event at the Sunset Tower Hotel on January 27, 2010 in West Hollywood, California.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
11
Lovely Ledisi

Ledisi arrives to honor Mary J. Blige at the Black Women in Music celebration.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
12
Bronzed

Melanie Fiona arrives in style to salute Mary J.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
13
Songstress

Kelly Price was in the house to celebrate Mary J.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
14
In Harmony

Singers Anthony and Tarsha Hamilton stop on the red carpet at Essence’s Black Women in Music celebration.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
15
Grecian Goddess

Lalah Hathaway arrives to celebrate with Mary J.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
16
Fresh-Faced

Actress Jurnee Smollett strikes a pose on the red carpet.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
17
The Elements

Earth, Wind & Fire bassist, Verdine White, arrives on the red carpet.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
18
Gospel’s Finest

One of gospel music’s finest, Ann Nesby, was thrilled to show her support for Mary J.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
19
Perfect Smile

Kim Coles attends the Essence Black Women in Music event at the Sunset Tower Hotel.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
20
Shimmer

Actress Elise Neal came out to celebrate Mary J. Blige.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
21
Subtle Smile

Melyssa Ford strikes a pose on the red carpet.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
22
Black Girls Rock!

Mary J. poses with DJ Beverly Bond.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
23
Fun Times

Mary J. celebrates with Joy Bryant and Essence.com’s own Emil Wilbekin.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
24
Luda & Gabby

Ludacris and Gabrielle Union pose for the cameras.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
25
Reunited

50 Cent gets a hug from his “Get Rich or Die Tryin’” co-star, Joy Bryant.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
26
Hold Tight

Kelly Price shares an intimate moment with Mary J.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
27
Soul Sisters

Mary J. gives Ledisi a squeeze.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
28
Madame Taylor

Essence Beauty & Cover Director, Mikki Taylor, was on-hand to celebrate with Mary J. Blige.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
29
Side-by-Side

Actresses Joy Bryant and Gabrielle Union pose together at the Black Women in Music celebration.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
30
Music Women

DJ Kiss arrives to celebrate with Mary J.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
31
For You

Island/Def Jam Chairman, L.A. Reid, presents Mary J. Blige with her Black Women in Music Award.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
jennifer Cooper
32
Many Thanks

Mary J. embraces L.A. Reid after accepting her Black Women in Music Award.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
33
Honored

Blige addresses the crowd and expresses her sincere thanks for the love and support.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
34
Top Honors

Mary J. Blige displays her award as she poses with L.A. Reid, Essence Editor-in-Chief, Angela Burt-Murray, and Essence President, Michelle Ebanks.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
35
All Smiles

Actress Kim Coles and Earth, Wind & Fire bassist, Verdine White, smile for the cameras.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
36
Sisters in Song

Ledisi poses alongside Kelly Price.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
37
Like a Lady

Taraji P. Henson takes a seat for the festivities.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
38
Michelle and Melanie

Essence President, Michelle Ebanks, shares a moment with Melanie Fiona.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
39
Head Housewife in Charge

NeNe Leakes came out to celebrate with Mary J.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
40
Anchorwoman

Shaun Robinson stopped through to show some love for Mary J.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
41
Congrats

Rolanda Watts congratulates Mary J. on her honor.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
42
Queen of the Night

Simply, Mary J.

ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
Jennifer Cooper
43
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ESSENCE’s Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige
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