MARY J BLIGE IS PISSED OVER VIBE COVER

Mary J. Blige received the V Legend Award from Vibe magazine on Saturday, November 12thm for her achievements throughout her musical career. But the singer took a shot at the magazine during her acceptance speech. Blige, who is featured on the mag’s latest cover, said, “For so many years, Vibe has given me great, great, great covers, but I must say, I’m very, very disappointed at the cover this time, so Mimi, me and you really need to talk, as women. No disrespect, but I really hated the way you guys shaved off my head, pushed my forehead way back behind my ears. I’m just insulted, so that’s no respect on the cover, but I thank you, and I appreciate this award.”

Vibe’s editor in chief Mimi Valdes responded to Blige on the magazine’s website. She said, “Dissing Vibe while accepting our V Legend Award was extremely disappointing. I’m sorry you find your most recent cover insulting. It was definitely not our intention. If you look at the big picture, we’ve been supportive of your career beginning with the first issue of Vibe in the fall of ’92. You’ve graced our cover seven times, more than any other artist. Besides your desire to make a private conversation public, your accusations are untrue. How your hair looks on that cover is between you and your hairstylist. I swear, your hairline is no different than the Polaroids you saw at the shoot or the snapshots we printed in my What’s Good column. In any case, you felt compelled to speak your peace, and at the end of the day, isn’t this truly why we all love Mary in the first place?”

Valdes concluded, “For myself and the rest of the edit staff, working here is more than just a job. We take our roles as journalists very seriously, but we’re die-hard fans as well. I’d be lying not to admit how hurt we were by the negativity you brought to our celebration, especially since you were being honored.”

Blige will release a new album, The Breakthrough, on December 20th. The first single from the project is “Be Without You.”