The Ellen DeGeneres Show Season 5 Episode 79 Mary J. Blige, Anthony Gargiula
- January 10, 2008
Mary J. Blige, the legendary R&B singer and actress, joins Ellen on the set of The Ellen DeGeneres Show for the 79th episode of the fifth season. Known for hits like "No More Drama," "Just Fine," and "I'm Going Down," Blige has won nine Grammy Awards, four American Music Awards, and countless other accolades. She has also acted in movies like Mudbound, The Umbrella Academy, and Respect.
On today's show, Blige discusses her new documentary "My Life," which is streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Directed by Vanessa Roth and executive produced by Blige and Sean Combs, "My Life" chronicles the artist's journey from growing up in the projects in Yonkers, New York, to becoming a multi-platinum artist and fashion icon. Blige opens up about her struggles with substance abuse and the traumatic experiences that inspired her music.
Later in the show, Ellen welcomes Anthony Gargiula, a 14-year-old singer and pianist who has been wowing audiences on YouTube with his covers of songs by Bruno Mars, John Legend, and Ed Sheeran. Gargiula, who hails from New Jersey, started performing at the age of eight and has since amassed a loyal following on social media. He talks to Ellen about his dream of performing at Madison Square Garden and performs a rendition of "This Is Me" from The Greatest Showman.
Other highlights of the episode include a performance by Mary J. Blige of her hit song "No More Drama," a game of "Heads Up!" with Ellen, Mary, and Anthony, and a surprise gift for Anthony from Ellen. The audience also gets in on the action, with one lucky fan winning a trip to Las Vegas and tickets to see Gwen Stefani's residency. As always, Ellen brings her signature wit and charm to the show, making for a fun and entertaining hour of television.
