Mary J Blige Co-Hosts The View, Admits “I’ve never done crack, but I did cocaine.”

Due to Whoopi Goldberg’s absence from her usual position as host of ABC talk show The View, RnB diva Mary J Blige was called upon as her replacement for the morning. During Blige’s conversation with co-hosts Barbara Walters, Elisabeth Hasselback and Joy Behar, she was very open about the death of singer Whitney Houston and her own personal battles with drug use.
On Whitney Houston:
This was really sad because she was everything to women like us and to just watch her go through what she went through at that time of her life and then die when we really wanted her to make it on the earth it just bothered me so bad because she was Whitney Houston.
On Whitney’s funeral:
First let me say it was one of the most beautiful services. I never go to funerals but I’m really happy that I went to hers… because it just traumatized me as a child and I just really can’t deal with the sadness that comes home with you.
On her past cocaine addiction:
I’ve never done crack, just so we’re clear, because I lived in a neighborhood where I saw what that did to people. But I did do cocaine. And you just never even know you’re addicted until you’re up late nights running out on the street as Mary J. Blige looking for it. You know where to go get it, and you’re out at 4 o’ clock in the morning in the projects, buying.
On how she recovered from her addiction:
I gave my life to the Lord. I was like ‘Father if you’re here, help me with this because I don’t wanna die.’ If your environment does not change, things will not change. I didn’t go to rehab, I just know God is strong in my life. I changed my way of thinking, good people came into my life. My husband, who was my friend then, he came into my life and helped me and challenged me to think better of myself… You have to have people that care… I had to take a 5 year period of not drinking alcohol. I quit the coke immediately, once I saw I was getting ready to die I was like ‘ok’ and I never looked back.
On her conversation on drugs with Whitney:
I had a conversation with Whitney on how important she is to the world. I got a chance to express to her what I felt about her and how important she is and how I don’t like to see her like that and I said she’s better than that.
Her advice to young addicts:
You’re environment must change… If you’re young and you’re coming into this business please come with your parents and get your education.
Watch the full convo below: