There’s no denying that Mary J. Blige is a powerhouse in the entertainment world. The Grammy-winning singer, who’s been lighting up stages for decades, was once married to Kendu Isaacs from 2003 to 2016. During their time together, she embraced her role as a stepmom to Kendu’s three kids, Briana, Jordan, and Nas. While she never had biological children of her own, Mary has been open about her reasons for that choice. Let’s dive into her journey as a stepmom and hear what she’s said about not having kids.
Meet Mary J. Blige's Stepchildren
When Mary met Kendu, he was already a dad to three kids from a previous relationship. From the get-go, Mary treated Briana, Jordan, and Nas as her own, creating a bond that went beyond just being their stepmom. In a heartfelt interview with Redbook back in 2007, Mary opened up about her experience stepping into the role of a mom.
"I’ve been a stepmother for three years now, and I love them so much," she shared. "When we first started, the kids would ask me, 'What do we call you?' I told them, 'Call me Mary, call me what you want. You don’t have to call me Mommy until you’re ready.' I wanted them to feel comfortable and loved."
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Mary’s priority was always making sure her stepchildren felt loved and secure. In a 2009 interview with People, she talked about the passions of her two youngest stepkids, Jordan and Nas. "Jordan is already working on becoming a film director—it’s her dream," Mary shared. "And Nas is a philosopher and public speaker. He’s incredibly articulate."
Briana, the eldest, went on to join the cast of the TV show Growing Up Hip Hop in 2016. After Mary and Kendu split in 2016, Briana opened up about her relationship with her stepmom during a 2017 episode of the WE TV show. "Me and Mary, I thought we had a real connection," Briana said. "I love her, and I understand she’s going through her own stuff, so I respect that. But it felt like losing someone special to me."
Why Mary J. Blige Decided Not to Have Biological Children
Over the years, Mary has been honest about her decision not to have biological children. Her demanding career and the lifestyle that comes with it played a significant role in that choice.
"I don’t think I’ll do foster care or adoption," Mary told People in 2009. "I barely have time for my own life. To adopt more children and not give them the attention they deserve would be poor parenting on my part."
Even with her packed schedule, Mary finds joy in spending time with her nieces and nephews. In June 2021, she posted a heartwarming photo with them on Instagram. She’s also the proud godmother of Sean "Diddy" Combs’ son, Justin Dior Combs. In December 2021, she celebrated his birthday with a sweet post. "Happy Birthday to my beautiful, amazing, and handsome godson @princejdc," she wrote. "I am beyond proud of you!"
In March 2022, during an episode of E! Daily Pop, Mary reflected further on her decision not to have kids. "I have nieces and nephews who are always around, and I love being able to step in when needed without the full-time commitment," she explained. "Watching how other people scramble for babysitters just isn’t for me."
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The "Everything" singer treasures her independence and the flexibility her life allows. "I like my freedom," she admitted. "Being able to wake up and go wherever I want, whenever I want, is something I cherish. I don’t want to have to tend to someone all the time. I don’t think having kids is in the cards for me."
