Mary J. Blige claims the music industry hates "strong and independent women".
The ‘Family Affair" hitmaker slammed the treatment of female artists and claims she "fought hard" against attempts from industry bosses who tried to encourage her to sleep around to get to the top.
She said: "They hate strong and independent women.
"I never slept with anyone to get where I am, but they were after me to do that. I fought hard over that."
Despite breaking into the industry back in 1992, Mary insists the problem is worse than ever.
She said: "It’s definitely got worse."
The 43-year-old singer – who released her debut album ‘What’s The 411?’ aged 21 – confessed she didn’t feel "comfortable" as an artist starting out and has finally learnt to be more "accepting" of herself.
Speaking to Stella magazine, she added: "This is the best time in my life. I’m becoming freer, i’m accepting the things I can’t change and I’m not going to apologise for who I am. In my twenties, I wasn’t comfortable in my own skin. I didn’t like the way I looked, I didn’t like me, and I always played myself short to make everybody else happy."
Mary J. Blige: Music industry hates independent women
