Grammy Award-winning R&B legend Mary J. Blige recently gushed over her longtime friendship with radio veteran Angie Martinez saying, “You were always strong to me.”
Blige made the sweet comment during her interview with Martinez on an episode of the radio legend’s podcast Angie Martinez IRL. The two have been longtime friends, as they reportedly met 20 years ago.
“Angie, look where we are,” the “Good Morning Gorgeous” singer said as she tried to hold back tears. “Remember me when you first met me? This is not the same person.”
She continued telling Martinez that she was always her “strong sister” and that she was the “rock” she needed in her life.
“You were always strong to me … you were always my strong sister. You [were] like a rock. I was like, ‘I need her.’ Because I wasn’t that,” Blige said.
She added that despite how strong the radio vet was to her, Martinez didn’t see herself that way.
“What was amazing to me was finding out that you [weren’t] as strong to you,” Blige said.
To that sentiment, the 51-year-old expressed her gratitude for not having to feel like she must be “the strong friend” any longer.
Back in 2016, Martinez revealed that at age 27, Blige saved her from eviction. In her memoir, “My Voice,” she recalled the queen of hip-hop soul assisting her with rent which was a wake-up call to get her finances in order.
“Mary got the cash, handed me the three thousand dollars, no questions asked,” she wrote about Blige in the book, proving that their friendship was unshakeable.
“I hope I have many, many years with you…I love you so much,” the Brooklyn native told Blige at the end of her interview.
“You will, I’m not going anywhere. I love you,” Blige responded as the two cheered, and each took a sip of their drinks.