When Maria J. Blige launched a line of boots with Giuseppe Zanotti, there was no way to predict The Maria Boot would turn into the success it became.
Blige, 53, attended the premiere of the fourth and final season of its crime drama series, Power Book II: Ghostat the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on Thursday, and she chatted with ET about her namesake footwear.
“I’m so grateful to have launched this with Giuseppe, (who is) a friend of mine and someone whose shoes I’ve admired since I discovered them,” Blige explained. “I even mentioned him in one of my raps.”
The Mary Boot – which is a knee-high boot made from rose gold metallic synthetic fabric – sold out in a single day at a retail price of $1,300.
The boot too became a hit on TikTok with fans sharing videos about how wearing the boots made them feel, walk and dance like Blige herself.
“The boot is just my trademark,” Blige said, responding to the countless memes the fashion collaboration inspired. “I’ve been doing these, I’ve been using them for years. It’s something that, it’s me, it’s who I am. It’s part of my legacy. I’ve been using them for years!”
And despite the tickets selling out in one day, Blige excitedly revealed: “We have another release in 10 days! Giuseppe and Mary J.”
The fashion launch is scheduled to take place a few days after the premiere of its last season. Power Book II: Ghost.
Blige has starred in the popular Starz crime drama since its inception, playing Monet Stewart Tejada, the tough matriarch of the Tejada crime family and drug cartel.
“I’m going to really miss playing Monet,” Blige shared. “I mean, this is so bittersweet. I made a lot of friends. It was great, it was a great time… (Joking) Monet was so therapeutic and so helpful.”
Part 1 of the fourth and final season of Book of Power II: Ghost – from executive producer 50 Cent, co-starring Michael Rainey Jr., Method Man, Shane Johnson, Gianni Paolo and Lovell Adams-Gray – premieres June 7 on Starz. Part 2 is set to begin in September.
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