Mary J. Blige was honored with the Icon Award at the Billboard Music Awards last month.
Days later, she was named one of TIME Magazine’s Most Influential People of 2022, joining the likes of Adele, Keanu Reeves, and Jon Batiste in the Icons category.
The nine-time Grammy winner also scored one of the five covers for the magazine’s special issue, where she was pictured in a Gucci lace ensemble.
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Styled by Jason Rembert, the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul donned a green floral lace mock-neck top with pink lace bustier and an orange sheer mini skirt with feather accents.
She wore her tresses pin-straight and parted in the middle and accessorized with oversized hoop earrings.
Mary J. Blige receives the Icon Award at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards in a Julien Macdonald see-through textured black dress (Credit: startraksphoto)
For her Billboard Music Awards look, Blige slipped her curves into a see-through textured black gown by Julien Macdonald. It features a plunging neckline, a cutout on the midsection, structured shoulders, and a center thigh-high slit.
She rounded out her ensemble with her signature large hoop earrings and a pair of strappy lace-up heels.
Mary J. Blige has been named one of TIME Magazine’s Most Influential People of 2022 (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)
American rapper Nas penned Blige’s Time 100 blurb, pointing out what set her apart from other R&B artists in the ’90s.
“She became a household name early because she was a hip-hop artist who also sang. The industry needed someone like that. The streets wanted that. Pop culture wanted that. And she was the one for it because she wasn’t made up. She was the girl around the way with the big earrings. She was like a spokesperson for a particular type of girl coming out of New York and coming out of the streets.”
He also mentioned Blige’s epic Super Bowl Halftime performance this year, saying, “She got one of the loudest responses.”
Noting her multifaceted career, Nas added: “She carved out a lane for herself, and now she can feed the people more than just music. She has a lot more to offer, from her incredible acting career to her wine brand to the Strength of a Woman festival she just launched in Atlanta. And I feel like she’s just getting started. She’s who we wanted her to be, and even more. She became who she’s supposed to be.”
Mary J. Blige in a custom mint green gown with heart-shaped cutout bodice and voluminous swirl sleeves by Gaurav Gupta (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)
To support Time’s Special Edition Issue, Mary J. Blige attended the Time 100 Gala at Lincoln Center, and she made sure to show her impact in a custom mint green gown from Indian designer Gaurav Gupta.
Showcasing plenty of flesh, the striking number features a crystal-embellished heart-shaped bodice with side cutouts and a curved hem. It also comes with voluminous off-the-shoulder swirl sleeves that flow down the floor like a train.
Mary J. Blige wears multiple stud earrings and a 250ct. diamond heart necklace custom-made by Pristine Jewelers (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)
Celebrity stylist Jason Rembert added more bling to the look with multiple stud earrings, a pair of diamond drop earrings, a few diamond rings, and stacked Cartier Love bangles.
Her boldest accessory was clearly the statement heart-shaped necklace with 250 carats worth of diamond, custom-made by Pristine Jewelers.
Her bleached blonde tresses were styled in a sleek bun by hairstylist Jazmin Kelly, while her eyes were accentuated with bronze smokey eyeshadow by makeup artist Porsche Cooper.
The 51-year-old American singer also wore long, colorful nails, done by celebrity nail artist Lisa of VSB Nail Boutique.
Mary J. Blige pulls her bleached blonde hair into a bun and wears bronze smokey eyeshadow and nude lip gloss (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)
For her footwear, the Mudbound actress slipped her feet into a towering pair of Aquazzura heels that you can buy in many colors at Farfetch.
Mary J. Blige shows off her feet in mint green heels from Aquazzura (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)
Called the “Sundance,” these sandals are crafted in Italy from metallic cool mint snake degrade goat leather material. They feature adjustable ankle straps, open toes, thick platforms, and 5.5-inch block heels.
Aquazzura ‘Sundance’ Snake-Embossed Platform Sandals, $895 at Saks Fifth Avenue
The Sundance sandals are made of metallic snake degrade goat leather and feature high platforms and block heels