Mary J. Blige has partnered with Gold Bond as part of the company’s #ChampionYourSkin campaign. The campaign reportedly “celebrates women,” like Blige, “who put their skin to the test to break barriers not only for themselves but for others too.”
As part of Black History Month, the skincare company has partnered with Grammy-award-winning and Oscar-nominated singer-songwriter, actress, producer, and entrepreneur, Blige to celebrate Black stuntwomen and give them the recognition they deserve.
“This campaign is about championing your skin and spotlighting Black stuntwomen because while it’s very little of them, it’s very important that they too are included when you talk about diversity in Hollywood,” Blige said in an interview with AfroTech.
“I think it’s important and I’m very excited to be a part of this because now as an actress, there’s a lot of stunts that I have to do and if it weren’t for the stuntwomen I would get hurt.”
Blige says she is very careful when it comes to the brands she chooses to partner with and endorse.
“I won’t say I’m using a product and I’m not [actually] using it. I’ve turned down so much money in my life because I’m not just going to take a lot of money or an endorsement with someone if I’m not using the product.”
Blige adds, “A lot of people follow me and respect what I do and I don’t want to hurt them by saying that I’m doing something if I’m not.”
She goes on to explain why such partnerships are important in the industry.
“There isn’t enough representation for women who look like us, especially in the entertainment game. You don’t even see Black stuntwomen in the credits. I think that they should have a category at the Oscars just like they have one for [the] best costume designer,” Blige said.
When asked how she champions the skin she’s in, Blige expressed that it’s all about self-care.
“I take great care of my skin as well as my body from the inside out,” Blige explained.
This campaign will not only shine a much needed light on Black stuntwomen, but Gold Bond will also give back give to the next generation of Black stuntwomen.
In a press statement, the company shared, “Because you can’t be what you can’t see, Gold Bond is giving back to Diamond in the Raw, an organization founded by stuntwoman La Faye Baker. Gold Bond’s contribution supports La Faye’s creation of the ‘Skin Champions Stunt Workshop’ program, geared toward helping more girls of color pursue their dreams in the stunt industry.”
In addition to this partnership, Blige owns her own wine, Sun Goddess Wines, and her own jewelry collection in collaboration with her best friend, Simone I. Smith, called Sister Love.
Blige is also going to grace the market with a line of boots modeled after her own iconic footwear.
“I’m working on it,” Blige said. “It’s the next thing on my list.”
Go on, Mary!
