Los Angeles, Nov 30 (IANS): American singer- songwriter Mary J. Blige has revealed that the death of her close friend Whitney Houston shocked her so much that she gave up drinking alcohol as she realised the ''importance'' of her own life.
Blige, 42, says her close friend's death in February 2012 had such a profound effect on her she began contemplating her own mortality and gave up drinking in a bid to boost her health.
“I was at her funeral (and) being that close to someone you loved so dearly, in a coffin, it freaked me out. It made me realise the importance of my own life,” contactmusic.com quoted Blige as saying.
''I didn't stop overnight, it was a process. I feel great right now. I have more clarity, more focus, more patience. And I lost weight. When you stop drinking it flies off,” she added.