Mary J. Blige Credits Faith for Owning Her Past Career Mistakes

Singer Mary J. Blige spoke out Wednesday about how her faith and the words of pastors guided her through a period of realizing she had been taken advantage of. She made these remarks while appearing on the "IMO" podcast alongside Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson. The conversation centered on her career around the time she released her album "No More Drama." Blige admitted she needed to take control and responsibility for her work, noting that people had walked over her before.

"I used to get upset and curse everybody out because things weren't working," she told the hosts. "And it wasn't their fault. It was my fault." She went on to say she apologized to every single person involved in helping her launch that record. Craig Robinson asked where Blige found the strength to accept this accountability.

"It's the spiritual side of things," Blige replied. "And I started listening to a lot of, like, TV pastors and people that had information." She explained that pride and arrogance hold a person back from going further. The advice she heard made her pause and look at herself.

"And so I realized that I was being prideful and disrespectful to people," she continued. "And just different things that made me be like, 'Pump the brakes. I'm doing something wrong here. And I need to speak to people. I need to apologize to these people for my mistakes.'" She added that she prays a specific request every time: Lord, show me myself. She has seen herself clearly since then.

Earlier in the interview, Blige described how she realized certain individuals were trying to destroy her life while others came along to help. "When I was, like, 'I'm still here, but my life is a mess and I need', and for some reason, certain people was coming into my life to help, while certain people were still there that was trying to destroy," she said. Her responsibility became acknowledging her own ignorance instead of blaming everyone else. She took full responsibility for those failures.

She also wanted to educate herself on finances within the music business. People around her had been benefiting from the fact that she did not know what was happening. "I don't want to start labeling things, but everybody was looking out for themselves," Blige said. "And they were benefiting off of the fact that I was unaware." That situation lasted a long time until she woke up and realized she had to get educated on her own business.

Christian Toto, editor of HollywoodinToto.com and host of the Hollywood in Toto podcast, shared his thoughts with Fox News Digital. He noted that victimhood is often treated as the coin of the realm in Hollywood. Actors say they were not paid what they were worth or claim a director treated them badly without speaking out for decades. Blige's comments strike a very different and refreshing tone compared to that mindset.

"Hollywood is a brutal industry," Toto said. The pressure, competition, and forces beyond your control create an environment where some artists turn to their faith to light their way and take responsibility for their careers. It is smart behavior. While it is not cool or hip to admit such things in Hollywood, Blige is wise enough to understand the truth is the truth. She is happy to share it. Toto added that other struggling stars should consider her advice.

Seth A. Schachner, a former Sony Music executive and managing director of Strat Americas, also told Fox News Digital about the value of Blige's words. He said her comments on getting educated as an artist are key. They are absolutely evergreen and still very current and valid today.

So many artists chase the dream of breaking through. They want bigger fan bases or a label deal for their next big gig. Blige said this focus is common today.

"Getting educated on the business side of music is even more key these days in today's music business," he continued. The majority of artists now have the freedom to operate on their own, without a label. But once they've released their music, they still have to do everything that the old school industry did, from promotion to marketing to finding new business. It's a huge challenge for most artists, who are here, after all, to create music.

Blige, 55, released her No More Drama album in 2001. She also spoke to Obama and Robinson about why she decided not to have children.

"I said a lot of things when I was younger, because I didn't want them, kids," Blige said. "I saw a lot of people, I saw a lot of my family members needing babysitters and them not having a choice, and you know, no freedom. So when you're younger, those are the choices you make."

Her view shifted as time passed. She began to see the value that children brought to her family members' lives.