Mary J. Blige has been tapped as an ambassador for the 2020 American Black Film Festival. In doing so, she joins an accomplished list of past ambassadors that includes Idris Elba, Tracee Ellis Ross, Regina Hall, La La Anthony, Jay Ellis, and many others.
What We Know:
- As ambassador, Blige will help bring media awareness the ABFF’s mission and its 24-year legacy, as well as headline a one-on-one conversation during the Center Stage Talk series on Thursday, June 18th. The discussion will spotlight Blige’s music career, her transition into film and television, and her life’s journey as one of the most successful artists of all time.
- Blige said in a statement to Deadline, “So many incredible talented Black filmmakers have come out of the American Black Film Festival, many of whom I’ve had the pleasure to work with and many I can’t wait to collaborate with.”
- General Manager of ABFF Ventures, Nicole Friday, had this to say: “Mary J. Blige is a hip-hop legend whose artistry has transcended into the film and TV industries. Her body of work personifies the ABFF mission, which is to celebrate and uplift the African American community through entertainment.”
- Blige has appeared in several films and television series. For example, she has appeared in Black-ish, The Umbrella Academy and Scream: The TV Series.
- With eight multi-platinum albums, nine Grammy Awards, two Academy Award nominations, two Golden Globe Award nominations, amongst other accolades, Blige has always served as a figure of inspiration and empowerment through her music and films. This year, she will star in Dreamworks’ Trolls World Tour movie, MGM’s Aretha Franklin biopic Respect and Power spin-off series Power Book II: Ghost as Monet.
- She is also currently in the production phase for an untitled documentary about her legendary life and career, under her production company, Blue Butterfly.
The American Black Film Festival will take place June 17-21, 2020 in Miami Beach, Florida. HBO, Warner Media, Jeff Friday Media, Sony Pictures, and MPA will sponsor the festival. For more information, visit the festival’s official website here.
