Mary J. BligeMary J. Blige may have sung “No More Drama” in her 2002 hit single, but she’s putting her acting skills to the test again in a new Tyler Perry film.

Billboard reports that the R&B singer has landed a starring role in “I Can Do Bad All By Myself,” based on Perry’s play of the same title.

Blige will play a nightclub manager opposite the already-cast Taraji P. Henson, who will play her good friend. As in the stage version, Perry will appear as his comedic alter ego, the bad-tempered grandmother Madea.

The movie, which Perry is also directing, has already begun filming in Atlanta and is slated for release in September.

“Bad” marks Blige’s first film role since the 2001 drama “Prison Song,” though she appeared on HBO’s “Entourage” in 2007.

The singer-songwriter is working on her ninth studio album, which is scheduled for release later this year. It will be the follow-up to her 2007 album, “Growing Pains,” which won a Grammy for best contemporary R&B album.






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