Mary J Blige is enjoying some of the greatest success of her career with her critically acclaimed album The Breakthrough. Recently, she took some time out of her busy schedule to speak with Thabiz.com.

Does it feel good to finally be getting so much respect for your music from such a wide audience?
Mary J Blige-Yes. It does.

Were you surprised by the first week sales for The Breakthrough?
Mary J Blige-Yes, I was.

I've read various things you have said about the My Life album. Do you think you will ever perform any of those songs again live?
Mary J Blige-Absolutely. I will.

Not counting The Breakthrough which one of your previous albums was your favorite?
Mary J Blige-The My Life album.

Do you like being a celebrity?
Mary J Blige-Yes, I do.

Are you comfortable with the title Queen of Hip-Hop Soul?
Mary J Blige-Yes.

What makes Mary smile when the camera is off?
Mary J Blige-Peace, quiet, good friends, being able to rest, and just knowing who I am when the cameras go off.

Is there ever a time when you are doing interviews on television when you are nervous?
Mary J Blige-Yep.

In so many ways you seem like just one of us, a real cool woman. Is there ever a time when you meet new people and they get too comfortable with you.
Mary J Blige-People do all the time but I don't pay it any mind cause I know the boundaries to put up. I know my own limits and where I will let them go and how far I will let them go. It doesn't bother me they are just people.

Have you ever formed lasting friendships with people who started out as fans?
Mary J Blige-No. Well, I guess I have this one person.

Listen to Mary J Blige

You've been rocking the blond hair for a long time and we are loving it but I just wonder if you ever considered wearing your hair dark brown or black?
Mary J Blige-I've done that before.

I probably just missed it. Has the second single for The Breakthrough been chosen?
Mary J Blige-Yes.

Is it secret?
Mary J Blige-Yeah, basically.

Do you think the Vibe Magazine controversy was blown out of proportion?
Mary J Blige-In what way?

Well I guess I mean. You won the Vibe Icon Award, I'm not sure of the exact title of the award but it seems like everyone was so focused on the comments you made regarding the magazine cover.
Mary J Blige-Yep.

I guess the better question would be do you feel the press focuses too much on things that might seem negative more so than positive things?
Mary J Blige-I think the press will always focus on the negative because that's how they get paid.

I read in the recent Jet Magazine that your husband is your manager. Do you ever have differences of opinion regarding your career?
Mary J Blige- All the time.

Mary J. Blige interview may not be reprinted, copied or distributed. You may link to this interview.
Interview copyright Dorrie Williams-Wheeler, thabiz.com January 2006.