Twitter explodes after news of R. Kelly sexual abuse charges breaks
The news of R. Kelly being charged with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse sent shockwaves through Twitter on Friday.
The singer, real name Robert Kelly, is set to appear in a Cook County court on the charges March 8, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. There are four victims, who were between the ages of 13 and 16 when the alleged sexual abuse occurred between 1998 and 2010, according to the Chicago Tribune. Kelly will appear in court Saturday.
This development comes just weeks after the airing of the Lifetime docuseries “Surviving R. Kelly,” which shed light on alleged sexual and emotional abuse by R. Kelly.
Shortly after the six-part series aired, the Fulton County District Attorney's Office opened an investigation into the claims of abuse made by women in metro Atlanta. Just last week, a never-before-seen video emerged that allegedly featured Kelly and an underage girl engaging in sex.
In the aftermath of the docuseries, several celebrities, advocates and others had been calling for Kelly’s arrest. On Friday, many of those commentators took to the platform where the allegations against Kelly had been most discussed, Twitter, to recognize that the calls for action had seemingly been answered.
r kelly got charged with 10 counts of sexual abuse and has a court date next month pic.twitter.com/VNCHcrmQ1o
— َ (@undevonne) February 22, 2019
The judge approved a no-bail arrest warrant for R. Kelly.
— Morgan Jerkins (@MorganJerkins) February 22, 2019
No bail.
Yes, God. Whew! *stamps foot*
Come on, choir. Provide a selection.
"R. Kelly" finally going to jail.... pic.twitter.com/KxOtnNRW4G
— Johnny Mancini (@JohnnySaIami) February 22, 2019
So much for R. Kelly. Enjoy all the years in jail, creep! Next!!!! Best news I’ve heard all day!
— Jason (@parrotluver00) February 22, 2019
R Kelly has been charged!!!! pic.twitter.com/vbqJDxSN7k
— Iforgoteverything (@kamomoshoeshoe) February 22, 2019
Am I the only one crying that R. Kelly is being indicted on 10 counts of sexual abuse? As a mom, I couldn't imagine having to go through what those parents did. He not only ruined those girls lives, but the parents too. God is good. "What happens in the dark, comes to light."
— Lacey F (@lacey74060938) February 22, 2019
Some did find issue with what they considered to be a delay in justice. Since the current charges deal with cases of alleged abuse from the late 1990s.
R. Kelly is a serial sexual abuser who got away with decades of abuse specifically because he targeted Black women and girls.
— UltraViolet (@UltraViolet) February 22, 2019
It’s past time for us to listen to and trust Black women and girls and hold those who abuse them accountable.
After 1,584,493 years! But good news! https://t.co/bV78fz5gDt
— Preston Mitchum (@PrestonMitchum) February 22, 2019
Before today’s news I thought about this sentence a lot:
— Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) February 22, 2019
“Even seventeen years of reporting hasn’t been enough to turn as bright a spotlight on [R.]Kelly as the one exposing many others, because no one, it seems, matters less in our society than young black women.” Jim DeRogatis
Others connected the news of Kelly’s charges to the other prominent Chicago celebrity case this week, actor Jussie Smollett’s charge of disorderly conduct for allegedly faking his attack last month.
Chicago knew they couldn't arrest Jussie and let R Kelly keep sliding.
— 💥Bangalore fan account💥 (@_AllEyezOnKee) February 22, 2019
MORE R. KELLY COVERAGE
» R. Kelly's daughter Buku Abi distances herself, family from singer
» 4 things to know about R. Kelly's children
» How Beyoncé's parents protected Destiny's Child members from R. Kelly
» Why do people still love R. Kelly, and what does that say about us?
» Spotify should ban Chris Brown, Eminem and others after R. Kelly music ousted, women's group says
» Parents of Atlanta-area alleged abuse victim launch 'R Kelly abuse hotline'
» 7 things to know about R. Kelly
» R. Kelly reportedly threatens to sue Lifetime over documentary ahead of premiere
» Conclusion of Lifetime R. Kelly docuseries makes singer a trending topic on Twitter again
» Here's what Twitter thought of night 2 of Lifetime's R. Kelly documentary
» 'I'm just disgusted': Twitter weighs in on night 1 of Lifetime's R. Kelly docuseries
About the Author
Stephanie has been telling stories her whole life. Her interest in the written word started with short stories and journal entries about run-ins with classroom bullies as a child and matured to writing for her high school newspaper over the years. She has written and edited for The Tennessean, Augusta Chronicle and American City & County.
