Mary J Blige fought back tears of joy after learning she received two Oscar nominations for the Netflix original movie Mudbound.
The R&B superstar says she spent the morning “yelling and screaming and about to cry” after the Oscars shortlist was announced, and she is still in awe at the double nomination.
The 47-year-old singer-turned-actress earned critical acclaim for her supporting role as family matriarch Florence Jackson in the film, about two men who experience racism in rural Mississippi upon their return from World War II.
The “Not Gon’ Cry” hitmaker was nominated for Best Supporting Actress, as well as Best Original Song for “Mighty River”, the theme song she wrote with singer/songwriter Raphael Saadiq and his longtime collaborator Taura Stinson.
“This is a new one… This is really special,” she told The Associated Press. “So is the song because it’s something that I love to do. I love to sing. And that’s something I’ve been doing for a very long time that’s special to me, and the Oscars have recognized it. So it’s all special.”
Mudbound is also up for Best Adapted Screenplay for director Dee Rees and co-writer Virgil Williams, and Best Achievement in Cinematography for Rachel Morrison.
“(Dee) gave me new life with Florence and she gave me courage to play this character,” Mary shares. “And Rachel was just amazing. Seeing these women every day on set, it was so refreshing and such a treat and just beautiful.”
The 90th Annual Academy Awards will take place at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles on March 4.
