Will Downing on Black Voices

• Will Downing on Black Voices

  New Year's Resolution
  "My New Year's resolution for 2008 is to take better care of myself physically, spiritually and mentally," says Will Downing. "You know, 2007 can kiss my black ass... It [was] probably one of the worst years of my lifephysically. But I'm feeling better already because I know 2008 will be a much better year for me." Verve

• Will Downing on Black Voices

  Little Did He Know
  Will Downing performing in Detroit, July, 2006. A few months later, the R&B crooner was diagnosed with debilitating disease Polymyositis. Monica Morgan, WireImage.com

• Will Downing on Black Voices

  Paper Chase
  "I was chasing every gig that came along. That's greed. But I was humbled and slowed down with this disease, so your motivation changes. One minute you're getting up to make some money and the next, you just happy to be getting up," says Downing. Rahav Segev, ZUMA Press

• Will Downing on Black Voices

  Moving Mountains
  "For me, my faith was everything," says Downing. "When you see you can't do it on your own, obviously it strengthens your conviction and belief in a higher being and that's what happened to me." Verve

• Will Downing on Black Voices

  The Glory
  "I have managed to survive and thrive in this industry with a little bit of talent, luck, and God's good graces..." Will Downing to AOL Black Voices. Courtesy of willdowning.com

Mary J. Blige Fashion Transformation

• Mary J. Blige Fashion Transformation

  After capturing the hearts of the R&B-buying public everywhere with her debut album 'What's the 411?' in 1992, Mary J. Blige brought her unique brand of fashion with her into the spot light. (Photo: Ron Galella, WireImage.com)

• Mary J. Blige Fashion Transformation

  Over-the-top and ghettofab, Mary's early style exemplified the street chic that made urban looks popular. Her outrageous blond hair styles, flashy fabrics and cool poses were bold and brash. (Photo: Paul Natkin, WireImage.com)

• Mary J. Blige Fashion Transformation

  Never afraid to show a little skin, Blige showed the world she could be tough and sexy, a new milestone for the black woman's image. At the same time, she was not scoring any points as a leader of high-fashion. (Photo: MCA)

• Mary J. Blige Fashion Transformation

  Mary's '90's red carpet style also suffered from a lack of sophistication. In this outfit, her multi-colored tendrils and Arabian princess jewels do not enhance her ill-fitting down. (Photo: Ron Galella, WireImage.com)

• Mary J. Blige Fashion Transformation

  Mary ushered in a new look with her 2003 album, 'Love & Life." Here we see a much cleaner presentation with fewer colors and subdued hair. Definitely more elegant, while still being "street." (Photo: Interscope)

• Mary J. Blige Fashion Transformation

  On the red carpet, Mary maintained her loud look, but gained a more feminine edge. Her body is more covered here, and through flowing layers she created a softer image. (Photo: Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images)

• Mary J. Blige Fashion Transformation

  Blige moved into strange territory in 2004. The quality of her clothes has increased by this time, as is evidenced by her fur and the couture cut of her dress. Still, she puts it all together with a hyperbolic sensibility that shows she had not matured in her fashion sense. (Asset Owner: Photo AOL)

• Mary J. Blige Fashion Transformation

  Mary finally becomes the glamour goddess we love today in the promotional images she created for her 2005 release 'The Breakthrough.' In a perfect union of hair, dress and accessories, Blige truly looks like the reigning queen of R&B. (Photo: Geffen Records)

• Mary J. Blige Fashion Transformation

  No longer needing shiny blinging designs or brassy hair to express her radiant beauty, here we see a casual shot of the star without all her trappings letting her round-the-way charm shine through. (Photo: Dave Hogan, Getty Images)

• Mary J. Blige Fashion Transformation

  In a 2007 shoot for Essence, Blige furthers reveals her sensual, elegant look. Her hair has a new softness that is a big departure from her early years. (Photo: Mark Liddell, Essence)