John Legend has ripped R. Kelly and thrown his support behind the women who’ve accused the controversial R&B star of abuse.
In a tweet late Thursday, Legend discussed his appearance in the new documentary series Surviving R. Kelly, which kicked off earlier in the evening on Lifetime and will feature testimonies from women that allegedly encountered mental, physical, and sexual harm at Kelly’s hands.Legend makes it clear, he has zero time for Kelly. “To everyone telling me how courageous I am for appearing in the doc, it didn’t feel risky at all. I believe these women and don’t give a fuck about protecting a serial child rapist. Easy decision,” he writes. In a separate message, he added: “I’m happy to support the work of people like my friends at A Long Walk Home who have been speaking out on behalf of the survivors for a long time.”As previously reported, Kelly’s legal reps threatened to sue the broadcaster if it carried through with its plans to air the three-night series. The “I Believe I Can Fly” singer’s lawyer reportedly alleges that the documentary is filled with false allegations, and suggests the subjects are defaming his client for personal gain.
The six-part docuseries will feature 50 interviews, including civil rights activist Tarana Burke, singer Sparkle, ex-wife Andrea Kelly, ex-girlfriend Kitti Jones, and brothers Carey and Bruce Kelly.
Legend is the highest-profile celebrity to participate. In a recent interview with Detroit Free Press, producer dream hampton praised the EGOT star as a “hero”. When it comes to celebrities, “it was incredibly difficult to get people who had collaborated (artistically) with Kelly to come forward. We asked Lady Gaga. We asked Erykah Badu. We asked Celine Dion. We asked Jay-Z. We asked Dave Chappelle,” he explained. “(They’re) people who have been critical of him. That makes John Legend even more of a hero for me.”According to the filmmakers, Surviving R. Kelly will explore Kelly’s “controversial past” beginning in 1970 through present day, “shedding light on the R&B star whose history of alleged abuse of underage African American girls has, until recently, been largely ignored by mainstream media.”
Attendees at the premiere last month in New York were evacuated from the venue after a gun threat was called in.
– source-billboard