R. Kelly Rundown

by Jennifer Ruffin 

If you haven’t already heard on the radio or seen on your instagram feed, R. Kelly is in some really hot water. On Jan. 3, Lifetime aired six epidsodes of a hard hitting docuseries exposing the scandals of his career.

Victim after victim stepped in front of the camera, explaining their raw, honest and heartbreaking experiences. When these victims met R. Kelly, their ages ranged from 14 all the way to 19.

Surviving R. Kelly allegedes that Kelly’s abuse goes back at least 18 years and includes women and underage girls, including then 15-year-old protégé Aaliyah and Jerhonda Pace, who was 16-years-old when she met R. Kelly outside of the courthouse during his 2008 trial for 21 counts of child pornography. Kelly was acquitted on all charges. Despite testimonies from the unidentified girl’s aunt, basketball coach, best friend, and many others close to her, R. Kelly was found not guilty and released.

Claims against R. Kelly are that he has had an odd and twisted obsession with young, teenage girls. He would “scout” in malls and at high schools, looking for victims. Throughout the years of R. Kelly’s controversial fame, a countless number of women have accused Kelly of controlling what they said, wore, ate, and not allowing them contact with their families and friends. Most women were able to escape the horror. But currently, Jonjelyn and Timothy Savage accuse Kelly of brainwashing their daughter, Jocelyn Savage, 23, with whom Kelly has been in a relationship for four years. Despite her parent’s pleas for her return and claims against Kelly, Savage still claims that Kelly has not held her against her will and that she is in no danger.

Despite Kelly’s and his team’s constant denial of these accusations, artists, venues and even his record label have suspended all ties and collaborations with him. Just last week, Lady Gaga released a statement apologizing for her song with R. Kelly, “Do What U Want (With My Body).” Cara Delevingne, John Legend and Chance the Rapper are just a few other big name artists denouncing R. Kelly.