EGOT winner John Legend speaks on featuring in the controversial “Surviving R.Kelly” documentary.
John Legend’s latest album is Darkness and Light, released in December 2016
American singer John Legend, 40, has blasted 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.
The “All of Me” singer makes it clear, he has zero time for Kelly saying that appearing in the documentary wasn’t risky at all because he believes in the women who have accused the 51-year-old R. Kelly of sexual abuse and that he doesn’t care about protecting a serial rapist.
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.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) January 4, 2019
It has been reported that Kelly’s legal representatives have threatened to sue the documentary broadcaster, Lifetime 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 producer Dream Hampton praised the father of two as a “hero” for being part of the documentary saying that when it came to celebrities, it was incredibly difficult to get people who had collaborated (artistically) with Kelly to come forward. From the likes of Lady Gaga, Erykah Badu, Celine Dion, Jay-Z, and Dave Chappelle.
“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.
