Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige has revealed that the death of her close friend Whitney Houston shocked her so much she gave up drinking alcohol as she realised the "importance" of her own life.
The 'Be Without You' songstress says her close pal's death in February 2012 had such a profound effect on her she began contemplating her own mortality and gave up drinking in a bid to boost her health.
She said: "I was at her funeral [and] being that close to someone you loved so dearly, in a coffin, it freaked me out. It made me realise the importance of my own life.
"I didn't stop overnight, it was a process. I feel great right now. I have more clarity, more focus, more patience. And I lost weight. When you stop drinking it flies off!"
The 42-year-old star will even abstain from toasting her 10-year anniversary with husband Kendu Isaacs with a glass of champagne next year.
She told The Guardian newspaper: "I'll have a glass of ginger ale. Ginger ale and Diet Coke are my drinks."
The 'No More Drama' hitmaker, who was hit with a $3.4 million tax lien earlier this year, says there are always obstacles in life, but she has learned to deal with whatever may come her way.
She explained: "There's always drama, but you have to learn to navigate your way through it. Life is full of trials and tribulations, but I know now how to get out of it. You have to make a decision to say 'no more'."
Tagged in Mary J Blige