Mary J. Blige may be a queen of hip-hop soul, but her recent performance in London has fans fiercely divided. The 54-year-old icon took the stage at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on July 3, dazzling the crowd in a cobalt blue corset top and matching trousers, paired with oversized sunglasses for a glam, retro-inspired look. As she launched into her hit track Just Fine, she delivered her signature sass and humor, but it wasnโt the vocals that got people talking.
A now-viral video from the performance has fans on social media criticizing what theyโre calling “half-baked choreography” and โlow effortโ dance moves. Bligeโs laid-back stage presence drew everything from light-hearted jabs to full-on refund demands. One X (formerly Twitter) user wrote, “Paying to see Mary J. Blige perform LIVE is a choice Iโd never make.” Another joked, โMe in the audience waiting to call my bank to dispute the charges.โ
Some went further, suggesting Blige looked unenthusiastic on stage. โMary needs to adjust her choreography to her capability,โ one person commented. โIf that means sheโs standing still singing, so be it. Right now this looks bad and like she hates being on stage.” Others used the moment to criticize her longevity in the industry, with one post reading, โBeing in your mid-50s still having to tour every week says a lot about what you did to your money in your 20s and 30s.โ
Mary J. Bligeโs Legacy Speaks Louder Than the Criticism
Dubbed the โQueen of Hip-Hop Soul,โ Blige has earned nine Grammy Awards, a primetime Emmy Award, and has received two Academy Award nominations for her work on the 2017 film Mudbound. Sheโs sold over 100 million records worldwide and was inducted into the Apollo Theaterโs Walk of Fame, solidifying her as one of the most influential and enduring artists of her generation.
Despite the backlash, many fans defended the Grammy-winning singer, praising her vocals, enduring legacy, and ability to still pack arenas more than three decades into her career. Some even embraced the โunbothered auntie energyโ of her performance, noting that Just Fine isnโt about impressing, itโs about feeling yourself.
Blige had been sharing the stage in London with rapper 50 Cent as part of his Legacy Tour. The performance comes on the heels of her own For My Fans Tour, which launched in January in Greensboro, North Carolina, with support from Neyo and Mario. And sheโs not done yet. The Real Love singer is heading to Portugal next for Afro Nation on July 10, followed by appearances at the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands on July 11 and the Paris La Dรฉfense Arena on July 13.
