For much of Mary J. Blige‘s career, she’s been hailed as the Queen of Hip-Hop/R&B.
Now, she’s expanding her regal reach to the screen.
Fresh from nabbing nominations at both the Golden Globes and the Oscars, the 9-time Grammy winner has signed a lucrative production deal with Lionsgate.
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Per THR, as part of the first look pact, MJB will develop and produce original TV projects that the studio will have priority dibs on. Said concepts will be cooked up under the star’s newly launched company Blue Butterfly Productions.
Speaking on the venture, Blige gushed:
“I couldn’t be more excited to be working with Lionsgate. They are incredible collaborators and have been natural partners from when we first started talking. I can’t wait to bring all of our projects to life.”
Lionsgate Television Group Chairman added:
“Mary is a very talented artist, fearless visionary and an incredible human being. We’re delighted to be working with someone with such a powerful and impactful creative voice. Every art she touches blossoms, and we’re humbled she’s chosen us as her home. We look forward to all the exciting new content Mary and her Blue Butterfly banner will bring to our television slate and Lionsgate 360 orbit.”
The deal adds to a busy slate for the ‘Mudbound’ actress Blige, who is currently starring in Netflix’s ‘Umbrella Academy.’ She’ll also be starring in VH1’s incarnation ‘Scream.’