Here’s what Twitter thought of R. Kelly’s emotional interview with Gayle King
R. Kelly’s emotional appearance on “CBS This Morning” had Twitter talking early Wednesday.
» RELATED: Video: R. Kelly tells Gayle King sexual abuse allegations are 'not true' in TV interview
In the his first interview since being charged with 10 counts of aggravated sexual assault, the embattled singer sat down with Gayle King to address rumors that he'd been sexually and physically abusive to women. He also discussed claims that he'd had sex with underage girls and held women against their will.
He denied all accusations, calling the claims "stupid" and "not true."
“Stop it. Y’all quit playing. I didn’t do this stuff. It’s not me. I’m fighting for my [expletive] life,” he sobbed. “Y’all are killing me with this [expletive]. I gave y’all 30 years of my [expletive] career. I’m trying to have a relationship with my kids. Y’all don’t want to believe the truth.”
When the interview aired, viewers took to Twitter to share their opinions, and the hashtag #RKellyInterview became a trending topic nationwide.
Several said the singer-songwriter’s outburst demonstrated his guilt. They called him a “manipulator” and a “liar” and said he was not a victim.
R Kelly is using abuser language.
— George M Johnson (@IamGMJohnson) March 6, 2019
“ I have a big heart”
“Why would I”
Easier to make his transgressions come from a place of love or seem too unrealistic to occur.
He is a liar. He reacted emotionally like a child talking to a parent who doesn’t believe them. Go to hell.
Watch this please. Importantly, R. Kelly does NOT deny sexually assaulting underage girls. In fact, his answer demonstrates his guilt. He fails to understand that it doesn’t matter “how long ago” it happened. And he also has no clue as to how “double jeopardy” works. https://t.co/ntGt8I5zBC
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) March 5, 2019
Judging from his tears, lies and emotional outbursts as he's calmly questioned about the sexual assault he committed, R. Kelly is definitely going to get confirmed to the Supreme Court
— maura quint (@behindyourback) March 6, 2019
I said this with Brett Kavanaugh and I'll say it with R. Kelly: When someone is being asked a question about their principles or their actions and they start crying, that person is a manipulator at very best. Tears cause a lot of people to forego holding others accountable.
— hopeful pessimist (formerly @sjw_movies) (@plsleaveamsg) March 6, 2019
The R Kelly interview is abuser 101: when threatened or even mildly challenged, respond by screaming, blaming, and escalating physically until you regain control. If this is how he treats a powerful woman on national television, imagine how he treats vulnerable girls in private pic.twitter.com/sckwU0SGvc
— Laura Hudson (@laura_hudson) March 6, 2019
This reminds me when Kavanaugh and Mark Meadows started crying and yelling in public when accused. Hmmm is this the new defense for men who are guilty?
— EileenRDavis (@EileenRDavis) March 6, 2019
» RELATED: R. Kelly timeline: History of sexual abuse allegations, cases, trials
During the interview, Kelly said beating his 2008 case, where he was acquitted of 14 counts of child pornography, should be proof of his innocence.
Many disagreed with that sentiment.
When R Kelly said “I beat the case” instead of “I‘m innocent” pic.twitter.com/bWph2UCvOs
— - (@drphilDONTEhue) March 6, 2019
Just because you “beat” your case doesn’t make you an innocent man...#UseYourCommonSense🙄🙄🙄 #rkellyinterview
— LooshusLyin’ (@MackTenn74) March 6, 2019
R. Kelly really said "I beat my case" instead of saying i'm not guilty then said you can't double jeopardy me
— Ahmed/DaBaby just saved Hip Hop (@big_business_) March 6, 2019
yeah lock bruh up pic.twitter.com/kdl9GNPtJc
There were also people who sided with Kelly. They said they believed him and expressed sympathy for him.
R Kelly is innocent, look at those precious tears. I feel so bad @its_gxry pic.twitter.com/VSOi83mbDM
— bosli junior (@CleanRBLX) March 6, 2019
R.Kelly is innocent don’t @ me.
— 𝕷𝖞𝖓𝖓∞ (@LynnTakeOff) March 6, 2019
Tbh R.Kelly is innocent I’m routing for you! @rkelly
— NiaaaaJ 💋✨ (@niapretty_) March 6, 2019
I believe R.kelly im not gone lie ....
— ᴘʀɪɴᴄᴇss ᴋᴇɪ 💖 (@_CiaoBellaxxo_) March 6, 2019
Others were less moved by whether Kelly was innocent or not. Instead, they commented on King’s composure as she conducted the interview. She was praised for her calmness and professionalism during what some referred to as Kelly’s rants.
There’s a lot going on in these R. Kelly clips. But one thing that jumps out is how direct, super clear and no frills these questions are by @GayleKing. She’s asking exactly what most of us would ask if we were in her seat. Crazy how refreshing it is. Speaks to how rare it is. https://t.co/Pt0ISn32sM
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) March 6, 2019
R Kelly isn’t even talking to Gayle so much as he’s talking to the camera. He wants this interview to be another performance. He wasn’t ready for Gayle’s stellar and unflappable style. pic.twitter.com/jxYisuGT1N
— deray (@deray) March 6, 2019
This is wild. @GayleKing is again teaching a master’s class in interviewing. She remains so calm and focused while @rkelly loses it. https://t.co/8IUtssouzt
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) March 6, 2019
» RELATED: R. Kelly posts bond in sex abuse case after three nights in jail
Others made light of the interview, addressing the onslaught of memes shortly after the interview went public. Some didn’t find the memes based off of Kelly’s tears as a joke.
R. Kelly pouring his heart out just for us to chop up his interview to make memes. >>>>>
— Kevín (@KevOnStage) March 6, 2019
You know guys, I'm not really comfortable with seeing R. Kelly's crying face turned into a MEME. Let's not give him that.
— Jasmyn Lawson (@JasmynBeKnowing) March 6, 2019
already seeing r. kelly crying memes. twitter undefeated
— Desus Nice (@desusnice) March 6, 2019
My prediction is black twitter will meme R Kelly for an hour but by 8 or so they’ll be shaming themselves for meme’ing the interview. By 10 pm they’ll attack a white celeb for laughing at the memes they created by mocking that celeb with memes that are way worse.
— M’BlockU (@rodimusprime) March 6, 2019
Missed this "CBS This Morning" segment? Catch the full interview on CBS.
King will continue to cover Kelly’s saga on Friday’s “CBS This Morning,” when she interviews two of the women who currently live with Kelly, Azriel Clary of Florida and Joycelyn Savage of Georgia.
About the Author
Najja Parker is a multimedia journalist covering Black culture for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She is an engaging on-air talent, who has served as a host for the newsroom’s special projects and events, such as the movie premiere of “The South Got Something To Say,” a documentary chronicling the rise of Atlanta hip-hop.
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