Mary J. Blige is known to make us cry, so it kinda comes as a surprise that her latest album wasn’t always coming from a place of anger and hate. In fact, it was supposed to be optimistic and happy.

“This album … [was] written from the perspective of me fighting for my marriage. And then when it all blew up in August, I had to start rewriting songs,” the singer said this week. “There was no moment where I felt like I was going to keep this in because it was way too much for me to handle on my own. These are things I needed to get out. I needed to express myself and so it hurt, but it’s good. It’s good.”

In regards to her divorce: “There is no happy ending right now because we’re in the thick of it. We’re in the midst of all this foolishness and until the divorce is final, this is where we are. But I’m going to smile and have people make me smile and love myself and not give up.”

H/T: Page Six.