Infamous R&B star R Kelly has left the Chicago jail where he was being held after posting his $100,000 bail, according to a Cook County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman.
The singer has been plagued by allegations of sexual assault, rape, child abuse, child pornography and aggravated criminal sexual abuse for decades.
Yesterday, the 52-year-old pleaded not guilty to 10 charges against four women, three of whom were minors at the time of alleged assault. He did not speak to media as he was escorted from jail by his lawyer.
The Ignition singer turned himself in to police on Friday and spent the weekend in a jail cell after denying all allegations against him over the last 30 years.
He has faced claims of sexual abuse for a long time, even appearing on trial in 2008 for child pornography charges but was acquitted.
Cook County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Sophia Ansari confirmed on Monday night that R Kelly had raised the $100,000 bail, which was 10 percent of the $1 million bond set by a judge.
It is suspected that he struggled to raise the $100,000 necessary, and that a female "friend" had to assist him.
His court appearance and plea has arrived only weeks after Surviving R Kelly aired on Lifetime; an explosive documentary series about the allegations of continuous assault from dozens of women, including his former wife.
He is currently being tried for sexual assaults which apparently happened from 1998 onwards. He met one of the four women on her 16th birthday at a restaurant, and another 16-year-old when she asked for his autograph.
Robert Sylvester Kelly was ordered by the court to hand in his passport, and to have zero contact with anyone under the age of 18. He is scheduled to appear in court on March 22.
The well known high-profile women's rights attorney Gloria Allred claimed in a news conference yesterday that she is now representing over six women who allege that the singer abused them.
Two more women have come forward to accuse R&B singer R Kelly of sexual misconduct, dating back to when they were 15 and 16 years old.
The latest allegations are the newest in a string of claims against the singer going back three decades, spanning child pornography to sexual, emotional and physical abuse and holding women captive in a sex cult.
The duo spoke out against the notorious artist at a press conference with infamous women's rights lawyer Gloria Allred yesterday.
Both women allege that the sexual misconduct happened in 1995 after they attended an R Kelly and LL Cool J concert in Baltimore, Maryland.
One of the ladies said she was just 16 years old and living in the city when her and a 15-year-old friend, the other alleged victim, attended the concert.
They went to an after-party at a nightclub, and Kelly pointed to the two girls and asked his staff to put them onstage. They were also offered drugs and alcohol at the party, they claim.
The woman said Kelly asked the two girls to meet him in his hotel suite, and that he entered the room wearing jeans and a white t-shirt, with his penis “out and over the top of his pants”.
Apparently, Kelly asked both girls to dance and he ended up lying on the bed with them, telling them they could be in his next music video.
Next, the singer began touching the young woman's breast and genitals, and asked the pair to engage in a threesome. Her friend said no and went to the bathroom.
The woman said Kelly requested oral sex from her, which she did, and then he had sexual intercourse with her.
She had been under the influence of alcohol and marijuana that had been given to her at the after-party, and alleges she “did not have the capacity to consent”.
In Maryland, the age of consent is 16. The two women never saw R Kelly again.
Despite the huge range of allegations against the singer, his lawyer Steve Greenberg denied all accusations against Kelly, saying he has never knowingly had sexual relations with underage women.
A video-tape allegedly showing notorious R&B singer R. Kelly engaging in sexual activity with an underage girl has been discovered.
Attorney Michael Avenatti has released a statement declaring that the footage shows Kelly "engaging in multiple sexual assaults of an underage girl." According to Avenatti, the tape is "clear" and is 45 minutes long.
He said in his statement; "Our work has been painstaking, detailed, expensive, and time consuming. Mr Kelly is a predator and a criminal who has preyed on young, vulnerable girls for far too long. ‘The time has come for him to finally be held accountable for his actions."
Below please find a second stmt relating to our investigation of R. Kelly. As a father of two teenage girls myself, I have the utmost faith and confidence in Ms. Foxx and her staff to ensure justice is done. pic.twitter.com/nlvPt4W7Dn
American news publication CNN say they have viewed the tape, and claim the girl appears makes references to her "14-year-old p***y".
The man in the video reportedly asks her to urinate, and then afterwards he urinates on her.
Avenatti also claims that the new tape is NOT "in connection with the prior criminal matter in which Mr Kelly was charged nor does it depict the same instances of sexual assault".
The prosecutor’s office would neither confirm nor deny that an investigation was underway, a spokesman said.
Steve Greenberg , R. Kelly’s lawyer, wrote a statement saying: "This morning I woke up to reports that a video had surfaced showing R Kelly allegedly with an underage girl. The reports were prompted from a tweet by Michael Avenatti, who himself was the subject of unfavourable news articles just yesterday."
The statement continued; "Timing is everything. ‘The calls and emails I received were the first I’ve heard of these allegations. I understand that CNN says that they have seen this video."
"If the video were what it is claimed to be, by sharing it with CNN Mr. Avenatti would be committing a felony, as would the reporter who viewed it. I doubt if either would put themselves in that position. That combined with the other facts that I know lead me to question the reports."
Greenberg said; "I have not been contacted by anyone connected with law enforcement, nor has R Kelly. Mr. Kelly denies that he has engaged in any illegal conduct, of any kind whatsoever. He would like to be able to continue to write and sing and produce and perform."
He also mentioned the infamous Surviving R Kelly documentary on Lifetime, which shocked the world with dozens of sexual abuse allegations spanning 30 years.
"Unfortunately, as a result of a documentary that regurgitated long ago rejected claims, he has been adjudged guilty in the public eye. In this age of hashtags we are too quick to rush to judgement simply because something is associated with a hashtag."
It continued; "A hashtag does not make claims credible. All of the claims by these women were brought forth years ago, rejected by the police, and/or rejected by the courts, but now for their own gain they have rehashed them."
"Each of the women in that documentary are out for money, whether they have suddenly filed a lawsuit, they have all of a sudden released their own song, or they have written a book," he wrote, saying the woman who have accused Kelly are simply in it to capitalise.
"In this country people are entitled to presumption of innocence. Absent conclusive evidence, proof beyond reasonable doubt, I would ask that people follow the principles that make this country great. We will have no further comment," said the lawyer.
BREAKING: The New Yorker says Illinois prosecutors are “moving to indict” R Kelly after a video emerged that they believe shows Kelly “sexually assaulting an underage girl”https://t.co/9LRp44ZTQCpic.twitter.com/NEhxbzxJPN
"Thanks to all his fans and their support. He will continue to work on his album," it concluded.
The singer only just announced a 2019 tour of New Zealand, Australia and Sri Lanka, after the documentary was released. He has been accused of having sex with girls as young as 14, and holding women hostage in a sex cult.
Kelly has continuously denied the allegations against him. Time will tell what this new evidence will bring to the shocking story.
R&B singer R. Kelly has just announced a worldwide tour, despite the extensive abuse allegations against him going back three decades.
The world's most notorious musician's alleged predilection for engaging in sex acts with underage girls is the subject of a new documentary, Surviving R Kelly.
The series has rocked the entire world, watching the sheer scale of claims made against him over such an extended amount of time.
Kelly has consistently denied all the accusations of sexual misconduct, rape, emotional, physical and sexual abuse and holding women captive in a sex cult. He has also threatened to sue Lifetime for airing the docu-series.
The singer has an album, Trust, coming out soon and has dropped new music for his 'Day One Fans' on January 1.
Streams of his music has shockingly increased since more allegations were released to the general public, with numerous celebrities slamming his actions and treatment of black women.
R Kelly's alleged abusive treatment hasn't been a secret for the music industry; he even went on trial for child pornography back in 2001 but was acquitted of all charges despite a large amount of evidence against him.
It was also rumoured that he physically abused R&B singer Aaliyah, and it's been reported that he married her when she was just 15-years-old by forging legal documents.
Time will tell whether the tour will sell tickets, but reactions have been incredulous;
R Kelly – found not guilty with statutory rape, assault charges, child melestation… Releases banger after banger… Surviving R Kelly basically exposes everything to be true… Announces a tour… Makes my blood boil the front of this man. https://t.co/Ub3MXeAOEZ
How can you have the audacity to tour when you have held women against their will? Actually I rephrase, you have brainwashed women so they think your predator treatment is ok? Sri Lanka? S. Africa? Good luck with that tour
R Kelly's estranged daughter, Joann Kelly (known as Buku Abi) is now speaking out following the airing of explosive Lifetime documentary, Surviving R Kelly.
Buku Abi's father has been under increased spotlight since the horrific sexual abuse allegations were broadcasted in the six-hour series, and now his daughter is voicing her support for his victims.
In a lengthy Instagram post, she wrote a testimonial where she referred to her apparent sexual predator father as a 'monster'.
She writes that it has taken her "three days just to find the right words" to include in her message, following 30 years of disturbing abuse claims against R Kelly.
Celebrities and the public alike were deeply shocked at the magnitude of the allegations, which featured dozens of his apparent victims telling their stories.
Their testimonies shared the same stomach-churning pattern of sexual assault, rape, mind-control as well as physical and mental abuse.
A number of women were allegedly held hostage in his homes, and some still remain in his custody. His daughter is now sharing her story.
Abi writes in a letter that she no longer has any relationship with her biological father, and her and her siblings have not had contact with him in years.
“My mother ( R. Kelly's ex-wife Andrea Kelly), siblings, and I would never condone, support or be apart of ANYTHING negative he has done and continues to do in his life,” she claims.
“The same monster you all confronting me about is my father. I am well aware of who and what he is,” she added, in what must have been a difficult post for her to curate.
“I grew up in that house. My choice to not speak on him and what he does is for my peace of mind. My emotional state. And for MY healing. I have to do and move in a manner that is best for me.”
"Going through all I have gone through in my life, I would never want anyone to feel the pain I have felt."
"Reminders of how terrible my father is, and how we should be speaking up against him, rude comments about my family, fabricating me, my siblings, & our mother's "part," etc., does not help my family in our healing process."
"Nor does it allow a safe space for other victims who are scared to speak up, speak up."
Lastly, she offers her prayers for his victims, showing her support for their recovery as well as emphasising how hard this period has been on herself;
"I pray for all the families & women who have been affected by my father's actions. Trust, I have been deeply affected by all of this. However, it has been very difficult to process it all."
"I am speaking from the heart, nothing I say or do not say is to hurt any party reading or affected by this. To the people that feel I should be speaking up/against everything that is going on right now," she continued.
"I just want you all to understand that devastated is an understatement for all that I feel currently. I do apologise if my silence to all that is happening comes off as careless," she concludes.
She makes sure to thank the public for the support and love which she and her family have received in the wake of the documentary.
The R&B singer is now under criminal investigation in Atlanta and Illinois.
Beyoncé's father and former manager of Destiny's Child, Mathew Knowles, is claiming that he did everything possible to protect the girlband from R Kelly.
After hearing "some of those things" about the notorious sexual predator, he deliberately kept Destiny's Child away from him for their safety.
He also admits that hearing about Kelly's horrendous reputation for sexual, mental and physical abuse played a role in stopping the R&B band from collaborating with him.
A criminal investigation into dozens of allegations against R Kelly is now underway in Chicago and Atlanta following the Lifetime documentary Surviving R Kelly.
The Ignition singer, real name Robert Kelly, is accused of holding numerous women in a dangerous 'sex cult' in his homes, as well as having abusive, sexual relationships with underage girls as young as 12. He strongly denies this.
Rumours of his behaviour have been rampant since the early 1990s, after he forged singer Aaliyah's documents to allow her to marry him aged just 15, while he was 27.
Knowles claims that he originally turned down offers for Destiny's Child to collaborate with Kelly at first because he "didn't think it was a good song", according to Metro.
The 67-year-old, who is the father of Beyoncé and Solange, commented that he never let the band members out of his sight;
"I was there, and my former wife Tina was there. The thing with R Kelly was, he liked to record late at night, around midnight. And what was different with his studio was that one room had a recording suite, and next door was a club, with 40 or 50 people dancing."
He continued; "R Kelly was managed by Sony, by someone I won’t name, and at that time, they would almost force you to record with their artists. R Kelly wasn’t cheap – it was $75,000, plus travel costs, so we’re talking $100,000 for a song."
He added that Kelly's negative reputation was in it's early stages, "I personally rejected the song, because I didn’t think it was a good song. Not just because of his reputation – this was around 1998, we had just begun to hear some of those things."
Mathew later said that the rumours surrounding Kelly's deplorable behaviour played a part in his choices for the girlband from then on, he said;
"Certainly, it was both of those things. The girls were 15, 16. When they went to the bathroom, Tina would go with them. They did not leave our eyes." They were allegedly under strict supervision, and were protected from him.
"Record labels would ask R Kelly to write songs for emerging artists as a way to help them break into the industry and he made several requests for Destiny’s Child," the source suggests.
"Mathew and Tina rejected all of them because they didn’t want him anywhere near the band which is why they are one of the few acts to debut in the 90s without an R Kelly song in its official discography," they added.
Only one Destiny's Child song is associated with R Kelly, Stimulate Me, which appeared on the soundtrack for Eddie Murphy's film Life in 1999.
Apparently Kelly did not work in the studio at the same time as the group, and the song never actually appeared as an official Destiny's Child release, so the gals are off the hook.
We're glad Mathew Knowles had the ability to keep the group protected from him, sadly other women weren't as fortunate.
Lady Gaga has apologised for working with R Kelly in a powerful and honest statement posted to her Twitter account.
The Born This Way singer had been criticised by the public for staying silent since the Surviving R. Kelly documentary aired earlier this month.
The Golden Globe winner said that she believes the women who spoke out against the 52-year-old.
She wrote: “I stand behind these women 1000%, believe them, know they are suffering and in pain, and feel strongly that their voices should be heard and taken seriously.”
Speaking of the allegations made against R. Kelly, Gaga said they are “absolutely horrifying and indefensible.”
She also stressed that she will have her collaboration Do What U Want removed from iTunes and other streaming services.
“As a victim of sexual assault myself, I made both the song and the video at a dark time in my life, my intention was to create something extremely defiant and provocative because I was angry and still hadn’t processed the trauma that had occurred in my own life,” the Edge of Glory singer explained.
“The song is called “Do What U Want (With My Body),” I think it’s clear how explicitly twisted my thinking was at the time,” she added.
Gaga also admitted that she wishes she could go back in time and speak to her younger self and seek the help she so badly needed following her sexual assault.
“I can’t go back, but I can go forward and continue to support women, men and people of all sexual identities, and of all races, who are victims of sexual assault. I have demonstrated my stance on this issue and others many times throughout my career,” she added.
The Shallow singer said she is sincerely sorry for her silence on the matter and vowed to never work with R. Kelly again.
The six-hour docu-series premiered on Lifetime and shocked its audience with its graphic and emotionally harrowing stories from dozens of accusers.
On-camera interviews with women who claim to have been held captive in incredibly abusive situations with Kelly provided upsetting testimonies, and now an investigation will officially take place.
TMZ reports that Georgia investigators received hundreds of calls once the episodes started airing in the US on January 3, and they are still aiming to speak with accusers.
The district attorney's office has yet to publicly comment on its investigation, but in Illinois, State Attorney Kim Foxx urged members of the public to come forward with relevant information.
Despite this, she stopped short of opening up her own criminal investigation, but said in a press conference that; "Listening to survivors and giving survivors a platform to tell their stories was heartbreaking,"
She also told reporters that she was "sickened" as both as a mother and as a prosecutor by the sexual abuse allegations made.
Kelly's manager has shockingly been accused of threatening the parents of Jocylen Savage, one of the alleged predator's abuse victims, in an attempt to dissuade them from appearing in the documentary.
Timothy Savage told an officer the day the series aired that Don Russell, the R&B singer's manager, texted him to say it would be best for his family if the documentary never aired.
Savage claimed himself and his wife were both involved with Lifetime's harrowing series.
NEW: Timothy Savage, father of alleged R. Kelly victim Jocelyn Savage, has filed this police report in Henry County claiming R. Kelly’s manager Don Russell is threatening his family for speaking out in the docu-series #SurvivingRKelly, @BrittanyEdney will have more on @cbs46 at 9 pic.twitter.com/XZoiisW9PV
Surviving R Kelly was created by feminist author and filmmaker dream hampton, and also includes celebrity appearances from John Legend and Chance the Rapper, who said collaborating with the Ignition singer was a "mistake."
Chance came under fire for admitting that he didn't listen to the women's testimony or value their stories "because they are black women".
A BBC Three documentary about the singer is also available to stream now. R Kelly has strenuously denied 30 years of abuse allegations made against him, including those made in the latest miniseries.
The R&B and soul singer was one of few celebrities to appear in the Surviving R Kelly documentary, with stars such as Jay Z, Mary J Blige and Lady Gaga declining to appear.
While John Legend was applauded for speaking out against notorious sex predator Kelly in the Lifetime docu-series, which recounts the multiple abuse claims the musician has faced over the last three decades.
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.
While appearing in the documentary was of monumental importance, Legend has now landed himself in hot water.
Fans were surprised to see a resurfaced photo of the 40-year-old and his wife happily posing for a photo with Harvey at the Sundance Film Festival in 2016, only a few months before the #MeToo movement took off.
The infamous 66-year-old movie mogul at the heart of the #MeToo movement is currently awaiting trial in New York on a number of related sexual assault and rape charges.
The All Of Me singer was forced to defend himself, writing a response to his Twitter followers;
I took a photo with and worked with Harvey on several occasions before his abuse was known to me and the rest of the world. Since his being exposed, his company and career have rightfully been destroyed and he's been indicted. Sounds like something that should happen to R Kelly https://t.co/LgIOQpEnsP
"I took a photo with and worked with Harvey on several occasions before his abuse was known to me and the rest of the world."
"Since his being exposed, his company and career have rightfully been destroyed and he's been indicted. Sounds like something that should happen to R. Kelly."
He continued in a follow-up tweet, saying "If y'all wanna cape for R and discount all these women's stories, just say it. Don't bring up some old pics of me and somebody else."
If y'all wanna cape for R and discount all these women's stories, just say it. Don't bring up some old pics of me and somebody else. https://t.co/2wus2P7vNm
That being said, allegedly Harvey Weinstein's abuse was widely known throughout the entire entertainment industry for decades, so we find it difficult to believe that he had no clue what the movie producer was capable of.
What's your stance, do you think the image is important, or should the focus be on listening to the voices of R Kelly's victims and speaking out against enablers?
Warning: this article may be upsetting for anyone who has experienced sexual abuse, assault or harassment.
In case you've missed the drama surrounding R Kelly following the release of a six-hour length Lifetime documentary regarding his sexual predation, the explosive TV episodes have one again brought the dangerous rapper to light.
Horrifying allegations have been made against singer R Kelly for three decades, including an upsetting trial involving 21 counts of child pornography.
The six-part documentary made by Dream Hampton, Surviving R Kelly, retraced reports of the R&B artist's consistent manipulation and abuse of underage girls and sexual misconduct going back 30 years, for which he has never faced any consequences.
Lady Gaga is now being sufficiently ROASTED for declining to appear in the documentary, despite having collaborated with him back in 2013 on the (ironic) track Do What U Want.
Twitter users are calling her out on her debated hypocrisy, as she plays a large role in the #MeToo movement and declared that she has had her own abuser, though won't name him, yet works with known paedophiles.
Her silence in 2019 on the issue has allowed the public to instead retrace a damaging 2013 interview, where the Shallow singer DEFENDS him while in Japan;
"R Kelly and I have sometimes, very untrue things written about us, so in a way this was a bond between us." Whoa, whoa, whoa. This doesn't look good for Gaga, we have to admit.
I'm confused how #LadyGaga can be so vocal in her support of #MeToo yet remain silent about R. Kelly who by the time she collaborated with him was a well known pedophile and sexual predator. #SurvivingRKelly
She is choosing to remain silent for the moment, though more than a dozen victims who claim to have been raped, enslaved and abused while underage by Kelly have spoken out in the documentary.
Gaga was one of many celebrities who declined to participate in the Surviving R Kelly series, as well as Jay-Z (another collaborator), Dave Chapelle and Mary J Blige.
The move has angered many Gaga fans, given her public history of supporting sexual assault victims.
While Lady Gaga is getting ready for the #GoldenGlobes…she is still silent on R. Kelly…
Jay Z, who during that time did a collaboration album with him, also choose to stay silent…
Is this your pop queen? Is this your Hip-hop king? #SurvivingRKelly
The rage online is palpable, as numerous fans have pointed out that this exact silence is how Kelly has been left to his own enabled devices for years.
In reality, he has had a support system around him who helped him with his predation.
Despite his child pornography trial taking place in 2002, hundreds of high profile celebrities have collaborated with him since, and are potentially only appearing regretful now because it is damaging to their brand.
Here some of the people who have collaborated with R Kelly since his 2002 indictment:
-Jay-Z
-The Game
-T. I.
-T-Pain
-Ludacris
-Kid Rock
-Usher
-Keri Hilson
-2 Chainz
-Lil Wayne
-Jeremih
-Nick Cannon
-Snoop Dogg
-Ciara
-Bow Wow
-Chance the Rapper
A conversation has also arisen surrounding the notion of sexual assault victims and race, with many pointing out that if these women had been black, their stories may have ended differently.
Chance the Rapper has apologised for collaborating with the singer, but upset many people by admitting that he didn't care about the women because they were, in fact, black.
"Making a song with R. Kelly was a mistake. I didn't value the accusers' stories because they were black."
His honesty may be important in continuing this important talk, but the words have understandably hurt millions of women of the black community, who face oppression daily in America.
He later apologised for the quotes, saying they were taken out of context and explaining that the focus should be on the fact that those young black victims were never cared for.
Jada Pinkett Smith is among the celebrities who are asking the same imperative question; Do young black women matter?
“It was incredibly difficult to get people who had collaborated with Kelly to come forward." Heartbreakingly, even friends such as Questlove declined to appear, despite believing the accusers' words.
John Legend was the only high-profile person who appeared in the film, writing on Twitter that it was an "easy decision":
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.
R. Kelly has continuously denied the allegations and was acquitted in 2002 of child pornography charges, yet the evidence to the contrary is overwhelming.
The documentary is massively upsetting to watch, with woman after woman telling stories with paralleling patterns of his behaviour.
Families of young women are still claiming that their daughters are being held captive by R. Kelly as 'sex slaves.'
Chicago reporter Jim DeRogatis made a report in July of 2017 in which he asserts that Kelly keeps his victims captive in Chicago and Atlanta, and two victims (Joycelyn Savage and Azriel Clary) remain in his captivity.
Human rights organisation BlackWomensBlueprint tweeted,
"The sad truth is survivors still face push-back from naysayers who question their stories or dismiss the crisis of sexual assault- especially against black women and girls. It's a terrible burden to have to endure."
Jerhonda Pace, a survivor of R.Kelly, said, “I felt like a prisoner. I didn’t have anyone to talk to. It was just me. I went into a depression. I was mentally drained, because he would break me down, then build me up, then make me feel like sh*t again, then do it all over again."
"He would really manipulate my mind. The breaking point for me was when Rob slapped me, and he choked me until I blacked out," she concluded.
Let's not forget that when the singer was 27-years-old, he forged then 15-year-old R&B sensation Aaliyah's documents to claim she was 18 in order to marry her.
The Princess of Urban Pop later died in a plane crash in the Bahamas in 2001 after the unlicensed pilot had cocaine and alcohol in his system.
The documentary's film-maker Dream Hampton claims she hopes "Surviving R. Kelly" serves as a starter tool to "shift culture" and "talk about rape culture and organise against patriarchy, which harms us all."
Non-for-profit advocacy organisation Color of Change tweeted the "strength of black women & girls is determined by how much suffering we can endure. The women in #SurvivingRKelly are our heroes."
Let's hope the conversation will finally spark action and justice for these women.
