Mary J. Blige’s Production Company Signs First Look Deal With BET For New Non-Scripted Projects
It's nothing short of a match made in heaven.
BET and Mary J. Blige have just announced a deal that will allow BET a first look at non-scripted projects and a second look at scripted projects from Blige’s production company, Blue Butterfly.
The Wine Down is the first project currently in development and is described less as a talk show and more as an opportunity for some real talk between Blige and a selection of friends. Some of the first guests to be announced include Academy Award-nominated and Golden Globe-winning actor, writer, director, producer, and philanthropist Taraji P. Henson, and chart-topping rapper and one-half of the City Girls, Yung Miami.
“As we strive to provide our audience with the best in biopics and documentaries, we are poised to remain at the forefront in offering high-quality, authentic on-screen portrayals of the lives of the culture’s most significant Black talent; and we are proud to supercharge the portfolio of content through our collaboration with Mary J. Blige’s production company, Blue Butterfly,” says Connie Orlando, EVP of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy, BET. “Throughout her legendary career, Mary has blazed trails to become a global superstar. With Blue Butterfly, Mary develops awe-inspiring stories of the Black experience while uniquely using music to set the foundation. Mary has been a vital part of the BET family and we are eager to see our partnership flourish through this partnership.”
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“BET has been one of my biggest supporters throughout my career,” said Blige. “Being able to now create together, for them to be so supportive of my vision for the type of content I will create, is something I am grateful and excited for. We already have multiple projects in the works and there is much more to come.”
Blige developed Blue Butterfly Productions to be a film, television and digital content company. In addition to the partnership with BET, Blue Butterfly also has a first-look scripted television deal with Lionsgate Television.
This has been a big year for the Yonkers, NY native. At the start of 2022, Blige, along with her fellow executive producers Ashaunna Ayars and Nicole Jackson, launched her deeply personal documentary with Amazon Studios, Mary J. Blige’s My Life. This past May, the team launched the inaugural “Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit” in Atlanta to a sold out crowd. She was also nominated for six Grammy Awards including “Album of the Year” and “Record of the Year”. And let’s not forget, she was the only woman standing in a sea of men performing at the Super Bowl LVI Halftime show alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Kendrick Lamar. If that wasn’t enough, like a boss, she dropped her 15th studio album, Good Morning Gorgeous, to rave reviews. This amazing year of hard work led to her being included in the 2022 Time 100 list. And if you want even more Mary J. Blige in your life, check her out in the hit show Power Book II: Ghost.
There is no stopping the official Queen of Hip Hop Soul, who now adds actress, producer, and entrepreneur to her long list of titles. We can’t wait to see who else she has tapped to join her for candid convos on The Wine Down, coming to BET in 2023.
