Celebrity Mary J. Blige on Filing for Divorce: 'There Is a Divine Plan and a Reason for Everything,' Says the Singer "She thanks and appreciates her fans for their support and love through this very difficult emotional time," her reps tells PEOPLE in a statement By Janine Rubenstein Janine Rubenstein Instagram Twitter Janine Rubenstein is Editor-at-Large at PEOPLE and host of PEOPLE Every Day podcast, a daily dose of breaking news, pop culture and heartwarming human interest stories. Formerly Senior Editor of music content, she's also covered crime, human interest and television news throughout her many years with the brand. Prior to PEOPLE she's written for Essence, The Cape Times newspaper and Los Angeles Magazine among others. On-screen Rubenstein can be found featured on shows like Good Morning America and Entertainment Tonight and she routinely hosts PEOPLE and Entertainment Weekly's star-studded Red Carpet Live specials. Follow the San Francisco native, Black Barbie collector and proud mom of two on Instagram and Twitter @janinerube People Editorial Guidelines and Melody Chiu Melody Chiu Instagram Twitter Melody Chiu is a Senior Editor for PEOPLE. She has been with the brand since 2009, editing, writing and reporting across all entertainment verticals. She oversees PEOPLE's music and events coverage and has written cover stories on Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Melissa McCarthy, Blake Shelton and Sandra Oh. The Los Angeles native graduated from the University of Southern California and has appeared on Extra!, The Talk, Access Hollywood and Good Morning America. People Editorial Guidelines Published on July 28, 2016 06:00 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: INFphoto Mary J. Blige is speaking out for the first time since news broke she filed for divorce from her husband, Kendu Isaacs, after 12 years of marriage. “Ms. Blige is saddened to say it is true that she has filed for divorce, saying sometimes things don’t work how we hoped they would,” her rep tells PEOPLE in a statement. “But, there is a divine plan and a reason for everything.” “Mary will continue writing and working on her album which is due out later this year along with her world tour,” the statement continues. “She thanks and appreciates her fans for their support and love through this very difficult emotional time.” RELATED VIDEO: Mary J. Blige Talks About Letting Cameras into Her Private Life PEOPLE confirmed the singer, 45, filed for divorce on Tuesday, and Blige cited irreconcilable differences as grounds for divorce. Additionally, she asked to terminate the court’s ability to award spousal support to Isaacs. “He was the first person to ever challenge what I did: ‘Why are you drinking? Why do you hate yourself? You don’t need to be around people who tear you down. You’re beautiful, Mary,'” Blige previously said about her ex. “He was the first man to ever tell me that.”