Twitter Explodes Over Shocking R. Kelly Doc: 'About Time' Many Say as Others Defend Singer
The revelations in Lifetime’s shocking R. Kelly documentary are sending the Twitterverse into an uproar.
The first part of the six-part series aired on Thursday night and features wide-ranging interviews with R. Kelly’s family members, former friends and colleagues, but most notably, women who claim that for decades the hit-making singer and producer used his power and influence to sexually and physically abuse women and young girls.
Most of the praise for the documentary is rooted in the idea that the music community knew about the 51-year-old’s alleged behavior and continued to cover up for him.
RELATED: John Legend on R. Kelly Documentary: I ‘Don’t Give a F— About Protecting a Serial Child Rapist’
i don't need convincing that R. Kelly is a predator. i been knew, as we say. it's on tape. we all heard about it during the trial. some even saw portions of the tape. i'm happy that victims are able to tell their stories. #SurvivingRKelly
— skeptical brotha ???? (@skepticalbrotha) January 4, 2019
Too often society turns a blind eye to the struggles of young black women. Everything R. Kelly has been doing has been out in the open for years, but much of the behavior is ignored. We need to echo the calls of the people who aren’t heard. ??#SurvivingRKelly
— Danny Pellegrino (@DannyPellegrino) January 4, 2019
An entire generation glorified that man. Protected him. Made excuses for him. Supported him. From parents, media outlets, teachers, fans etc. Straight trash ????. Don’t ever complain about millennials. #SurvivingRKelly
— TaySaidIt (@TaySaidItt) January 4, 2019
Others also criticized some viewers’ argument that the girls and women involved should’ve known better.
If y’all think “girls are fast” what are y’all calling THE GROWN MEN chasing and catching them? #SurvivingRKelly
— George M Johnson (@IamGMJohnson) January 4, 2019
And praised the network for taking a stand:
R. Kelly: I’ll sue if you air this
Lifetime:
#SurvivingRKelly pic.twitter.com/wBhcAHm2Gt— ???? (@Miss_Ritta) January 4, 2019
Huge shoutout to lifetime for giving these African American women a platform to speak about the abuse they endured by the hands of R.Kelly. It was about time a documentary finally came out. #SurvivngRKelly
— Jasmin. (@iamjassyrenee) January 4, 2019
RELATED: R. Kelly’s Ex-Wife Recalls the Time She Contemplated Suicide on Their Hotel Balcony
Those who maintained their support of R. Kelly largely called out the salacious nature of the documentary.
All these false allegations sound a fishy to me .... #SurvivngRKelly
— Lil nu ???? (@NunuDrippin) January 4, 2019
I don’t believe in the uproar about R Kelly. If they took a check they part of the problem.
— Mr McCoy (@LB4R_Sarge) January 4, 2019
RELATED: R. Kelly’s Former Backup Singer Stands by Claim She Saw Him Have Sex with Underaged Aaliyah
The alleged abuse outlined in the first night of the documentary included an emotional interview with former backup singer Jovante Cunningham, who met R. Kelly at age 14 and claims she bore direct witness to a sexual encounter Kelly had with his one-time protégée Aaliyah Haughton. (On Wednesday, Aaliyah’s mother Diane Haughton posted a statement to the official Aaliyah Twitter account, denying the allegation that any such thing could have happened and calling Cunningham’s statements “lies and fabrications.”)
Cunningham has since released a statement to PEOPLE, saying she stands by her account.
“It’s unfortunate that there are still people trying to protect Robert when they know he has destroyed so many people’s lives,” she writes. “I loved Aaliyah and when people watch the documentary, they will see how much I cared for her and how much Robert’s actions deeply affected me and so many others.”
RELATED VIDEO: John Legend Speaks Out Against R. Kelly in New Documentary About Alleged Abuse
Representatives for R. Kelly, born Robert Sylvester Kelly, responded “no comment” to PEOPLE’s request for a response to the allegations made in Surviving R. Kelly and interviews with alleged victims in this week’s issue of PEOPLE, on stands now. According to TMZ, Kelly’s lawyer Brian Nix has threatened to sue Lifetime network if it airs the documentary. When contacted by PEOPLE, Nix had no comment.
RELATED: #MuteRKelly: Time’s Up Joins R. Kelly Boycott Amid Ongoing Sexual Misconduct Allegations
In a statement to PEOPLE, Lifetime said it “has always been a brand that champions women’s stories. The documentary will air as scheduled.”
On Thursday night alone, 1.9 million total viewers tuned in, making Lifetime’s best performance in more than two years, according to Nielsen Media Research. And with over 743,000 total interactions across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, Surviving R. Kelly was Lifetime’s largest social premiere for any series or movie in network history, Lifetime said in a press release.
For more powerful stories from alleged victims of R. Kelly, pick up this week’s issue of PEOPLE on newsstands now.
Surviving R. Kelly airs on Lifetime at 9 p.m. ET from Thursday, Jan. 3 to Saturday, Jan. 5.
If you or someone you know think they are being abused, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) now for anonymous, confidential help, available 24/7.
