Mary J. Blige was stunned Taylor Swift wanted to perform with her

Mary J. Blige, the legendary 54-year-old singer, known as the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, joined Taylor Swift, the pop superstar on stage in Los Angeles during The 1989 World Tour in 2015. Together, they performed Mary’s iconic tracks Family Affair and Doubt—a moment that felt surreal to the Grammy-winning artist.

Reflecting on that experience nearly a decade after, Mary J. shared just how unexpected it was to receive Swift’s call. She was in disbelief when Taylor Swift personally invited her to perform a duet.

“Just to let you know how it happened, Taylor called me,” she told PEOPLE. “She was like, ‘I want you [to come on tour].’ I was shocked. I was like, ‘Oh, Taylor Swift likes Mary J. Blige?!’”

For Mary, the connection between them runs deeper than just that one performance. She sees a similarity in how both artists pour their emotions into their music.

“When I went to do the [songs] with her, I thought she was a really down-to-earth person,” she said. “I mean, so nice, so sweet. And I think what connects is exactly that.”

She added, “I think her ability to express herself through her songs and what she’s dealing with is what our connection is. Because I do the same thing.”

Beyond her music career, Mary has long credited her fans for keeping her grounded. In a 2024 interview with PEOPLE, she opened up about how hearing their stories has helped her gain perspective on her own challenges.

“I listen to a lot of stories that my fans talk to me about,” she shared. “I’ve been through a lot, but sometimes you listen to other people’s stories, and you say, ‘Wow, I’m just complaining’ because their stories are worse than yours.”

From chart-topping hits to unforgettable live moments, Mary J. Blige continues to inspire both fans and fellow artists alike—including Taylor Swift herself.