Award-winning singer and songwriter, John Legend has brushed off praises for speaking up in the Surviving R. Kelly documentary series.
John Legend kicked off 2019 on an empowering note, especially for women. When the singer was praised for being ‘brave’ for being the only male musician to appear in the six-part documentary, which details years of R Kelly’s alleged sexual misconduct, including his marriage with the late Aaliyah, which he continuously denied. John Legend tweeted on 03 January, “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.” He added, “We should all thank Dream Hampton for her necessary work to create Surviving R Kelly. These survivors deserve to be lifted up and heard. I hope it gets them closer to some kind of justice,”.
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
We should all thank my friend @dreamhampton for her very necessary work to create #SurvivingRKelly. These survivors deserved to be lifted up and heard. I hope it gets them closer to some kind of justice.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) January 4, 2019
The documentary, produced by Dream Hampton and titled Surviving R Kelly, features interviews from women who have been involved with or have been allegedly sexually and physically abused by the R&B singer.
According to Essence.com It was reportedly difficult for filmmaker Dream Hampton to find any other musicians who would discuss the allegations on camera. “When it comes to celebrities, it was incredibly difficult to get people who had collaborated with Kelly to come forward,” she told the Detroit Free Press. “That makes John Legend even more of a hero for me.”
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It is also reported that other big names in the entertainment industry such as Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Lil Kim, Erykah Badu, Lady Gaga, and Dave Chappelle declined to be part of the documentary, which aired on Lifetime in the US on January 3, 2019. Talk show host, Wendy Williams, and singer, Sparkle, who was signed under R Kelly’s label before are part of the documentary.
Source: Essence.com
