Public pressure is mounting against R. Kelly in the wake of the Lifetime network’s six-part TV docuseries Surviving R. Kelly, which premiered last week. On Wednesday, protesters gathered outside his Chicago studio — and, on Twitter, pop star Lady Gaga apologized for a collaboration with Kelly.
At large, the music industry has equivocated for years about the decades of allegations against Kelly. The R&B star, who has denied all accusations, was acquitted on 14 counts of child pornography in 2008. Through dozens of interviews, Surviving R. Kelly lays out those allegations, which include sexual and physical abuse.
Late last night, Lady Gaga posted a lengthy note on Twitter apologizing for a 2013 duet with Kelly and vowing to see it removed from streaming services. The song is called “Do What U Want,” and features the line “Do what you want, what you want with my body” as a refrain. The two performed it together multiple times, including at the American Music Awards and on Saturday Night Live.
Read this story now for free
To continue reading, sign up for our newsletter and get unlimited access to WABE.org
You can select your preferences for news and local content. We will never share your email address. Learn how your newsletter sign-up will support WABE and Public Media
