Mary J. Blige was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday.

MARY J. BLIGE RECEIVED STAR ON HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME

The nine-time Grammy Award-winning artist celebrated her 47th birthday with her biggest gift being her star. The singer laid down on the red carpet around it for a photo op. “I’m so grateful for this star right now because I’ve earned it probably three times, but I’m so grateful that I have it. I say that with confidence and not arrogance. I say it because I know that now, and I know my worth, and what this means,” a teary-eyed Blige said at her ceremony. “There’s been times in my career that I didn’t even want to step out of my house because I was hurt so bad. But I thank God for this moment. Everything happens for a reason. God has given me the strength to keep going regardless of who hated me or what anyone said about me.”

Blige’s mother Cora Blige was present for the ceremony, and the singer took a moment to thank her mom for raising her. “We lived in the projects but we had love in our home. But when we stepped out that door it was hell. And we learned how to survive. My mom is a survivor, she was a single parent mother, she’s very small, and she raised us on her own. She had three jobs and she never stopped.”

Cora spoke with reporters after the ceremony and said how proud she was of her daughter. “Instead of breaking down with her, I had to give her strength to carry on,” she said.

Sean “Diddy” Combs introduced Blige at the podium, and even got the attendees to sing a nice round of “Happy Birthday” to the artist. “My sister @therealmaryjblige got her star on Hollywood Blvd!! From Yonkers to Hollywood!! Y.O. stand up!! It’s Mary baby!! The Queen!! he wrote on Instagram.

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