Mary J. Blige Plans ‘My Life II’ Tour, Speaks on Heavy D

With her latest album, 'My Life II: The Journey Continues, Act 1,' on the shelves, Mary J. Blige is ready to get back out on the road. The singer, who wrapped up her national headlining Music Saved My Life tour, featuring Jazmine Sullivan and Miguel, last fall, plans on following a similar tour routine beginning in 2012.

"Hopefully we'll do big tours after the album comes out," Blige tells The BoomBox. With over two decades of business experience under her belt, Blige credits her ability to stay true to herself as one of her strongest attributes. "I just be myself," she admits. "I try not to chase and listen to the opinions of people about what I'm supposed to be, I know what I'm supposed to be and that's me."

Alongside her music, the 40-year-old has also completed work on the film 'Rock of Ages,' starring Tom Cruise. Details surrounding the film are scarce, but Blige will play the role of Jusstice Charlier and she revealed the film will be released in June. Set in the '80s, 'Rock of Ages' follows the story of two young people chasing their dreams in Los Angeles, and features a string of A-listers including Katherine Zeta-Jones and Alec Baldwin.

In the midst of celebrating her career endeavors and performing at the AMAs last night (Nov. 20), the singer was also mourning the loss of rapper and friend Heavy D. The New York native collapsed outside his Beverly Hills apartment earlier this month, and was laid to rest over the weekend.

"Heavy had a huge effect on all of us and he was inspiring and optimistic," she states. Blige grew up in Yonkers, N.Y., only five miles from Heavy's hometown of Mt. Vernon. The two were also labelmates on Andre Harrell's Uptown Records. "He just always gave us great advice," she recalled. "He just always wanted us to do good. He was like a father figure to us and I'm going to miss him." Other celebrity attendees at Heavy's funeral included Sean "Diddy" Combs, Will Smith, Usher and Queen Latifah.

'My Life II: The Journey Continues, Act 1' is out today (Nov. 21).