Grammy Award Winner Mary J. Blige Joins High-Profile List of Celebrity Women Guest Starring on 'Strong Medicine' - Sunday, August 5, 2001

Queen of Hip Hop Soul Debut's New Single 'PMS' From Her Upcoming Album on Episode

PRNewswire
LOS ANGELES
07/23/2001

On Sunday, August 5, 2001, 8 PM (EST/PST), Grammy Award winner Mary J. Bilge joins a roster of prestigious women guest stars on the #1-rated Lifetime Television original drama "Strong Medicine."

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010723/LAM142 )

Blige, who portrays a singer, follows appearances by Star Jones, Holly Robinson Peete, and Academy Award nominees Sally Kirkland and Diane Ladd.

"We're thrilled that so many diverse women from all areas of entertainment have appeared on the series," commented Executive Producer Tammy Ader. "What we hear all the time is how much these women, like our audience, are drawn in to the drama and issues the series explores. 'Strong Medicine' celebrates strong women from everywhere."

Blige appears as an up-and-coming hip hop/R&B singer whose unexpected pregnancy leads to both medical and personal conflicts.

The episode will also feature the debut of Blige singing her single "PMS," from her upcoming album "No More Drama." The album is being released August 28 by MCA Records.

"Singing is clearly my first love, but the chance to act in a powerful series about women's health issues was an opportunity I could not pass up," said Blige. "I was a big fan of 'Strong Medicine' before this opportunity arose, and thoroughly enjoyed the chance to act and sing with such a talented group of people."

"Strong Medicine" follows the challenges, victories and disappointments faced by two very different women (Janine Turner and Rosa Blasi), with polarized theories on the practice of medicine, when they team up to run a women's medical clinic.

Mary J. Blige first burst on to the music scene with her successful debut album "What's the 411" in 1992, and has since become both a multi-faceted talent and template for contemporary R&B. Her highly anticipated new album "No More Drama" is a manifesto of determination, set to gospel laced mid-tempo track. Along with her singing and acting, Mary is also preparing to launch her own label.

"Strong Medicine" is produced for Lifetime Television by Columbia TriStar Television Distribution.

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SOURCE: Columbia TriStar Television Distribution

Contact: Liza Rindge-Peterson, +1-310-556-7541, or Ryan Cummins,
+1-310-556-7591, both of Lifetime Television; or Chris Albert of Columbia
TriStar Television Distribution, +1-310-244-6467