Mary J. Blige Fires Employee After Tour Setlist Leak: “It Was Unprofessional”

Mary J. Blige has built one of the most iconic catalogs in R&B, earning her the title of the Queen of Hip Hop Soul. Her music resonates deeply with fans, and her live performances are known for their ability to surprise and delight. Part of the magic of her concerts lies in the mystery of the setlist—until now.

The singer recently opened up about the frustration she felt when part of her setlist for her upcoming For My Fans tour was leaked online. Blige, who had worked meticulously on the details of her live show, was devastated to learn that someone from within her own camp had been responsible for the leak. In an exclusive interview with People, she explained how much the leak affected her: “We worked too hard and the setlist is the most private thing,” Blige said. “It was unprofessional. Obviously, it was somebody within the camp.”

The leak, which revealed a portion of her tour’s setlist, not only broke her trust with the team but also risked diminishing the element of surprise that she had planned for her fans. Blige didn’t hold back when she discussed the person’s actions. “I was pissed,” she admitted. “And I fired someone because of it.” She went on to criticize the individual for jeopardizing their career in an attempt to gain social media attention: “They risked their whole career just to get a couple of likes.”

Despite the setback, Blige reassured her fans that the surprise element of the tour was far from over. “Only a little bit got leaked, and that’s not even half,” she said. “People don’t even know what else is coming.” Fans can still expect plenty of surprises once the For My Fans tour kicks off.

The controversy surrounding the leak had left Blige feeling disappointed, especially since she had wanted to give her fans something truly special. She took to Instagram to share her thoughts: “This kinda hurts and it’s sad to see this leaked. I wanted to surprise my fans with something special. But this doesn’t even scratch the surface of what I have planned.”

The For My Fans tour, which is scheduled to run from January 30 to April 17, will hit 30 cities across the U.S., with the final stop in Philadelphia. As the tour quickly approaches, Blige has emphasized that she’s still committed to delivering an unforgettable experience for her audience, despite the leak. “We’re ready to give you all that’s been worked so hard on,” she added, hinting at the exciting moments still to come.

Though the incident was unfortunate, Blige’s resilience and dedication to her fans remain at the forefront as she prepares to hit the road. Here’s hoping there are no more leaks or firings along the way, and that her tour lives up to the legacy of surprises and soul that her music is known for.