R. Kelly, once hailed as the "King of R&B," has seen his career and reputation shattered by numerous allegations of sexual misconduct, leading to multiple convictions. His legal troubles sparked heated debates in the entertainment industry, dividing celebrities into those who continue to support him and those who have openly distanced themselves.
While some believe in separating the artist from the allegations or maintain that he deserves a second chance, others refuse to associate with him, condemning his actions. Below, we look at celebrities who have supported R. Kelly and those who have spoken against him.
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Celebrities Who Have Supported R. Kelly
1. Boosie Badazz
Rapper Boosie Badazz has been vocal in defending R. Kelly, arguing that his musical legacy should not be erased despite his crimes. He has criticized cancel culture and even suggested that Kelly still has loyal fans.
2. Akon
In an interview, Akon stated that while R. Kelly had made mistakes, he believed in rehabilitation and second chances. He argued that instead of canceling him entirely, people should focus on understanding why he committed such acts.
3. Tory Lanez
Before facing legal troubles of his own, Tory Lanez showed support for R. Kelly by suggesting that his musical genius was undeniable, even amid the controversy.
4. Fat Joe
While not fully defending him, Fat Joe once mentioned that he found it difficult to completely abandon R. Kelly's music because of how impactful it was during its time.
5. Jocelyn Savage & Azriel Clary (Former Girlfriends)
During Kelly’s trial, Jocelyn Savage and Azriel Clary, two of his former girlfriends, initially defended him in interviews, claiming that he was misunderstood. However, Clary later changed her stance, speaking out against him.
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Celebrities Who Have Publicly Denounced R. Kelly
1. John Legend
One of the first mainstream artists to take a stand, John Legend appeared in the Surviving R. Kelly documentary and called out the singer for his actions, stating that he had no regrets about speaking up.
2. Lady Gaga
After collaborating with R. Kelly on "Do What U Want," Lady Gaga later apologized and removed the song from streaming platforms. She expressed regret for working with him and openly supported his victims.
3. Chance the Rapper
Initially hesitant to comment, Chance the Rapper later admitted that working with R. Kelly was a mistake and expressed regret for not believing the accusers sooner.
4. Jay-Z
While Jay-Z once collaborated with R. Kelly on their Best of Both Worlds album, he distanced himself after allegations surfaced and even canceled their joint tour due to disagreements.
5. Beyoncé & Destiny’s Child
Though Beyoncé has never spoken publicly about R. Kelly, Destiny’s Child worked with him early in their career. However, their song "Stimulate Me" was never officially released, and Kelly was removed from their projects after allegations surfaced.
6. Omarion
The B2K singer Omarion vowed to stop performing songs that R. Kelly wrote for the group, stating that he no longer wanted to associate with the disgraced artist.
7. Ne-Yo
R&B singer Ne-Yo publicly stated that he could no longer support R. Kelly after watching Surviving R. Kelly, calling his actions "disgusting and unforgivable."
8. Ciara
Ciara, who collaborated with Kelly on "Next to You," also distanced herself, showing support for the survivors and removing the song from platforms.
9. Celine Dion
After their duet "I'm Your Angel" became a hit, Celine Dion took action to remove it from streaming services following the allegations.
10. Erykah Badu (Initially Supportive, Then Condemned Him)
At first, Erykah Badu appeared to show sympathy for R. Kelly, saying she believed in healing and redemption. However, after backlash, she later clarified that she was not defending him but advocating for justice for all involved.
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The Divide: Art vs. Accountability
The R. Kelly controversy has sparked a larger debate in the entertainment industry: Can you separate the art from the artist? Some celebrities argue that his music should still be celebrated, while others believe his crimes are too severe to ignore.
With R. Kelly now serving a lengthy prison sentence, public support for him has dwindled. However, his music still has a dedicated fanbase, and some artists continue to defend him, proving that this debate is far from over.
Where Do You Stand?
Should R. Kelly's music be removed from history, or should his artistic legacy be preserved separately from his actions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!