While many of us love Mary J. Blige and feel she’s our auntie in our heads, she is not here for folks referring to her as such.
Currently promoting the Starz spinoff Power Book II: Ghost, the 49-year-old let it be known that she would rather not be called by that name.
In an interview with Hip Hollywood, the entertainer stated, “Why can’t I just be your sister. There’s women that are like way older than me calling me “auntie.” She continued, “Can I just be your sister? Your friend in your head? The auntie is like, c’mon…Not if you’re 10 years older than me. Please don’t call me auntie. I’ll be your sister.”
She’s not the only celeb that doesn’t like this term that many in the Black community consider one of endearment. Last year, Ava DuVernay, Oprah, and Gayle all expressed that they are not our aunties.
Ava stated, “Auntie Ava? Why? Am I that old?!” the director asked. “Because I don’t feel that old! And it’s not a respect thing…Auntie Ava, like…Aunt Jemima?”
Winfrey, 66, said she is only okay with being called “auntie” by certain people.
Oprah stated she cringed, when she hears that name.
“I cringe being called Auntie or Mama by anybody other than my nieces or godchildren,” she said to her publication, O Magazine. “Except if I’m in Africa, where it’s the custom for everybody to refer to anyone older as ‘Sister,’ or ‘Auntie,’ depending on the age difference. And there, no one refers to anyone older by their first name, out of respect.”
King also shared the same sentiments, “I hate being called Auntie. That’s what you say to old people or the old lady who lives in the neighborhood!” King, 65, shared. “I get that it’s a sign of respect, but no one’s calling Beyoncé ‘Auntie Beyoncé!’ The only ones who should be calling me ‘Aunt’ are my niece and nephew—and they don’t add the ie.”
Welp.
