Richmonder wins national celebrity lookalike contest

People always told Manaya Mabry that she strongly resembles Mary J. Blige, and now that likeness has won her a trip to the BET Awards.

Richmonder Mabry, 28, defeated more than 4,000 contenders in the 2009 Celebrity Lookalike Contest sponsored by BET and Dr. Miracle's beauty care. Her prize is travel and a hotel for a two-night stay in Los Angeles and a pair of tickets to Sunday's awards show.

"Everybody's been telling me for years that I look like [Mary J.]," Mabry said yesterday. "One young lady said I should look into being an impersonator. Not only do I look like her, but I sing as well."

Mabry works as a direct sales representative for Comcast, but also freelances as a makeup artist and sings occasionally at area lounges, including the Martini Kitchen & Bubble Bar.

She entered the lookalike contest more than a month ago, and Mabry said she was surprised to hear she had won because the competition slipped her mind.

But now?

"Oh my God! I haven't been able to sleep -- and I probably won't sleep until I get back to Richmond on Monday."

-- Melissa Ruggieri