Source: Chicago Tribune / Getty R. Kelly’s Inner Circle Were The Ones Responsible For Him Reportedly Facing Federal Charges According to TMZ , R. Kelly investigators now have over 20 tapes of the singer having sex with minors in their possession, and it was his own inner circle who handed them over to the authorities. Gerald Griggs, the attorney who is representing the family of Jocelyn Savage, reportedly stated that the tapes show multiple victims of sexual abuse and that many of them were confirmed to be underage at the time of the filming. R. Kelly was arrested earlier this week on 13 counts of federal sex crimes, including four counts of producing and two counts of receiving child pornography. Kelly is also facing other counts for racketeering, violation of the Mann Act, and obstruction of justice. Kelly is also facing 11 other sex abuse charges in Cook County relating to his alleged abuse of Jerhonda Pace. It might be over with for R. Kelly.
Positive, if bittersweet, news came last week, as R. Kelly was charged with 11 additional sex crimes . The widely despised rapper is accused of grooming underage girls, having sex with them, and recording sickening videos of his alleged crimes. According to a former employee’s testimony, there are more tapes out there, because they were kept as “trophies.” Horrific. According to TMZ , a former employee of R. Kelly has testified before a grand jury about the disgraced rapper. Within the testimony, he accused Kelly of regularly recording sex with underage girls. He told the grand jury that his former boss kept the recordings as trophies. While testifying in the Northern District of Illinois on Thursday, the ex-employee said that he had, at one time, been in possession of some of these tapes. It is currently believed that a number of these recordings are in the possession of federal law enforcement. As the former employee testified, R. Kelly allegedly offered a sizable sum of cash for one such recording to be returned. (We can read between the lines and gather that there was nervousness about more recordings getting in the hands of prosecutors) It sounds like the employee obliged … yet also, “somehow,” Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx also received a copy. TMZ ‘s sources say tha the testimony mentioned surrendering several additional videos to federal investigators. Said videos are also said to feature minors engaged in sex acts. The testimony is said to have included an open admission that those who worked directly for R. Kelly knew about his alleged fondness for minor girls. Unfortunately, instead of alerting authorities, they are said to have actively helped him. The former employee testified that Kelly’s crew would help him find new underage girls to groom, seduce, and victimize. The reviled rapper’s attorney, Steve Greenberg, didn’t sound shocked or impressed when he spoke to TMZ about the testimony. “This seems to be the same claims that were made in the state case,” Greenberg said. “We will address them in court.” Greenberg is referring to testimony heard by a federal grand jury that was also in Illinois. See, according to a number of alleged victims of R. Kelly, they were transported across state lines while they were in his thrall. To be clear, they told the grand jury that they were underage at the time, and that the transportation was for sexual purposes. As you are likely aware, crossing state lines during the commission of an alleged crime makes it a federal case. But since Kelly is accused of being a prolific predator, the state has plenty of local charges to level at him. There are two additional federal probes into the accusations against R. Kelly. One is in New York’s eastern district. The other is in New York’s southern district. In both cases, it seems very likely that investigators will move forward. The abundance of evidence against Kelly, the number of alleged victims coming forward, and overwhelming public opinion are on their side. It is, of course, cause for celebration that R. Kelly’s alleged reign of terror appears to be at an end. But … we shouldn’t count our eggs before they hatch, right? Kelly has evaded justice for decades. And even if he is convicted and sentenced to a billion years in prison, that victory will be bittersweet. There should not be so many accusers coming forward, or other alleged survivors remaining silent. This should never have happened. Many cannot help but wonder if Kelly’s reported abusive sex cult would have gone on this long if the alleged victims had not been young black girls. View Slideshow: R. Kelly Addresses Sex Abuse Accusations in 19-Minute Song
Source: Chicago Tribune / Getty Surviving R. Kelly: The Impact Airing On May 4th Deadline is reporting that Lifetime isn’t done with their R. Kelly exposé , they are airing a follow-up special. Reportedly, the special features footage from the docuseries, interviews with journalists, legal experts, non-profit organizations and psychologists to discuss the ongoing story surrounding R. Kelly. Viewers will also get an in-depth look at his now infamous interview with Gayle King and the women who are still living with him. Lifetime’s explosive docuseries Surviving R. Kelly, which chronicled sexual abuse allegations against singer Robert R. Kelly, changed the Kelly conversation. Now the network has set a two-hour follow-up special. Hosted by award-winning journalist Soledad O’Brien, Surviving R. Kelly: The Impact highlights the impact the documentary has had on our culture globally, how it has elevated the conversation on sexual violence and what it means to be a survivor. It’s set to premiere Saturday May 4 at 10 PM ET/PT on Lifetime. Will YOU be tuning in to this?
Source: Scott Olson / Getty R. Kelly’s “Spirit” Reportedly Told Him To Do Gayle King Interview After Robert Kelly ‘s telling interview with Gayle King only made matters much, much worse for the accused child molester, we’ve all been wondering why ON EARTH he decided to sit for that chat in the first place. It turns out, his mind was telling him no…but his spirit told him YEeeeEeeeS. …But seriously. His spirit told him to do it, this according to TMZ ‘s “sources:” “R. Kelly sat down with Gayle King because he is in constant touch with his “spirit” and tends to listen to it more than the people around him. He also said he felt he owed it to himself and his fans to break his silence and tell his side,” the site states. TMZ also states Kelly is unbothered by all the jokes on social media and how he’s been depicted… “After the interview aired last week, many viewers thought it was all an act, some felt he was having a mental breakdown and others used the emotional soundbites to make fun of Kelly on social media. But, we’re told R. Kelly gives “zero f***s” about how he’s being portrayed, and he can’t be bothered by the public’s reaction …” If you missed his interview with Gayle King, watch that here .
Source: Splash News / Splash News He Joins In At A South Carolina Church By this time, it’s pretty well known White politicians will go the extra mile to *ahem* pander to a Black audience. But if you’re gonna be hanging with the Black folks, at least make sure you get all the latest memos about who we’re messing with, who’s “canceled,” and who’s up for question. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio should definitely know this considering his melanated wife and children . But alas… The politician was caught dancing to an R. Kelly song in the most public of public ways. De Blasio was recently in South Carolina feeling out a presidential bid when he visited a Black church. While many Black people have either canceled or distanced themselves from R. Kelly, considering his alleged abuse history and non-paying a$$ proclivities , Victory Tabernacle Deliverance Temple was still singing “I Believe I Can Fly” loud and proud. And De Blasio joined the musical selection, spreading his arms out like wings and everything. Peep the visuals below. I wonder if the @NYCMayor realizes who sings this song #SouthCarolina pic.twitter.com/zHOESeQDKU — Courtney Gross (@courtneycgross) March 10, 2019 According to New York Daily News , a spokesman for de Blasio said the mayor didn’t know “I Believe I Can Fly” was an R. Kelly song. “The Mayor wasn’t the church’s DJ, and he certainly can’t be expected to recognize every R. Kelly track. Thanks,” said the spokesman Eric Phillips. Seems like de Blasio might want to research his sappy inspirational Black people songs in the future.
Model and body positive activist Elly Mayday has died at the young age of 30 , after a long battle with Ovarian cancer. Her family announced that she passed away on March 1 through her social media accounts. The model’s birth certificate name was Ashley Luther and she was born in Saskatchewan, Canada. She adopted her new name, Elly Mayday, as she fought her way through the industry as one of the first curvy models, according to People . “Ashey was a country girl at heart who had a passion for life that was undeniable,” her family wrote. “She dreamed of making an impact on people’s lives. She achieved this through the creation of Elly Mayday which allowed her to connect with all of you. Her constant support and love from her followers held a special place in her heart.” At just 25 years old Elly began feeling sick from constant and severe lower back pain, which led to four trips to the emergency room. Her doctors sent her away with painkillers and told her and the family she needed to lose weight. “The doctor told me to work my core,” Mayday told People back in 2015. “We’re undermined being younger, being women. I started to realize no one is going to help me unless I help myself.” She began pushing her doctors and asked for a CT scan, which revealed an ovarian cyst that turned out to be stage 3 ovarian cancer. The findings were completely shocking, as that type of cancer typically occurs in post-menopausal women. After undergoing several surgeries and months of chemotherapy, the young model’s life was looking up. Unfortunately, in 2017 her cancer returned and she spent most of the year in the hospital. Advanced-stage ovarian cancer is difficult to treat and 40-50 percent of patients who undergo chemo and enter remission will have a recurrence within three years, according to the University of New Mexico Cancer Center. Following her diagnosis, the model began proudly posing for photos, baring the surgery scars on her abdomen for magazines and her personal social media pages. She began sharing her triumphant and difficult moments and gained a rather huge following for her honest documentation throughout her battle. Before her tragic death, Mayday wrote on Instagram that she has “always been looking for that opportunity to help people,” which she got to do through sharing her cancer journey. “My choice to be public and try and share my strength was imminent. Helping is how I justify my time here is well spent.” “I’m lucky I have been able to combine it with the fun career of modeling, cause that’s also very me (hah no surprise),” she continued. “I appreciate everyone who lets me know I’ve made a difference, with my advice, my sharing, my photos and just my general approach to a real tough situation,” she concluded her post. R.I.P Elly Mayday, you will be missed. View Slideshow: Celebrities Who Died in 2019: In Memoriam
R. Kelly has found two people to come to his defense. And they're the same two people he's accused of kidnapping, holding hostage and illegally sleeping with. Earlier this week, R. Kelly talked to Gayle King about his recent arrest and the accusations that he has basically created a sex cult with Azriel Clary, 21, and Joycelyn Savage, 23. The artist ranted and raved and screamed and broke down in crocodile tears when faced with pressing questions from King, who remained admirably calm in the face of such nonsense. You can watch Kelly proclaim his innocent, in a VERY unconvincing manner, right here: In a follow-up interview, King talked with Clary and Savage, whose parents say Kelly abducted and has been abusing for years. Kelly, in turn, has said that these same parents handed over their children to him at a concert and, hey, what is he supposed to do… give them back? No. Really. This is R. Kelly's explanation . While Clary and Savage's parents have long claimed that the star has manipulated and brainwashed their daughters, the two women have presented a very different version of the story to King. “When I first met Robert, my parents told me to lie about my age, so when I met him he thought that I was 18,” Clary said to King, denying that she ever had sex with R. Kelly when she was 17. “On top of that, when I was 17, my parents were actually making me, trying to get me to take photos with him, take sexual videos with him – all kinds of stuff… “… Because if they ever have to blackmail him, what they're trying to do now, they can use it against him, which is exactly what they're doing.” For the record, it does seem like some very weird and shady stuff went on between Clary's parents and R. Kelly. But are you familiar with R. Kelly's past? With the tape that depicted him urinating on a 14-year old in bed? Go ahead and take his side at your own ethical peril. Savage, meanwhile, was in agreement with the allegations as she nodded along while Clary spoke. “Everything she's saying is true. Our parents are basically out here to get money,” she said, adding: “Both of our parents are basically out here to try and get money and scam because they didn't agree on what happened with music or wherever it could be and they're just very upset.” Clary even alleged that her parents started to threaten her and R. Kelly that they would release naked photos of her if he doesn't send thousands of dollars to a bank account. “You're trying to solicit me like I'm some f-cking hoe. I'm not. I'm your child,” she screamed at one point. A lawyer for Clary's' parents say that this is all just further proof that R. Kelly has “manipulated” Clary and spent years abusing her mentally, claims that Clary strongly denies. To the point of tears. “I'm crying because you guys don't know the truth,” she says here. “You guys are believing some f-cking fascade that our parents are saying. This is all f-cking lies for money and if you can't see that, you're ignorant and you're stupid as f-ck because you want to be all – because that's the world we live in. “Negativity sells, gossip is what sells, rumors are what sell.” Watch this disturbing interview for more.
On Friday, disgraced rapper R. Kelly was arrested on 10 charges of aggravates sexual abuse , 9 of which refer to the victim being a minor. Reports suggested that at least some of the charges may relate to a video that shows R. Kelly sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl. Now there’s a new video that’s longer … and even worse. TMZ reports that celebrity attorney Michael Avenatti, who obtained the earlier video for police, will turn over another on Monday. The first video was said to be just under 45 minutes. The new one, stored on VHS, is reportedly about 55 minutes in duration. The same 14-year-old girl from the previous video is reportedly featured in this one. The first video was reportedly filmed in 1999. This second one was filmed in 2000. Here are the gruesome details. Just as in the previous video, Kelly is said to be “coaching” the girl on the sexual performance that he wants from her. (Notably, this is consistent with horror stories shared by adult women, who said that he had bragged about training some of his women from young ages) Multiple times during the video, R. Kelly is said to be seen choking the girl while having anal intercourse. At another point, he is said to spray this girl in the face with some sort of lotion. He is said to then choke her again, mount her from behind, and turn her to face the camera for a “reaction shot.” As always, the details of R. Kelly’s alleged sexual predation, both upon underage girls and adult women, are haunting. Some may hesitate when seeing that these videos are older, but we have to note that Kelly was very much an adult man, in his thirties, in 1999 and in 2000. Prosecutors have to wade through a tremendous amount of filth in order to determine which charges apply. And these two videos are not the end of it. There is a third video that prosecutors do not yet have on their hands — but they hope to acquire it, soon. Michael Avenatti is said to be in the process of procuring a third tape. This tape is said to also show R. Kelly, but with a different girl — aged somewhere between 13 and 16 years. TMZ reports that Avenatti’s team has identiifed someone who is in possession of the video. He is working to acquire it so that he can hand it over to prosecutors. The first tape was given to Avenatti by his client, a man who knew and worked with Kelly for years. More than a decade ago, R. Kelly was acquitted of numerous charges stemming from an alleged collection of underage porn. In an infamous video, a man said to be Kelly urinated upon an underage girl. However, both Kelly and the young woman told the court that they were not the people in the video. For the 2008 jury, that was enough. Many are hopeful that the jury pool has a better understanding of how men use fame and wealth to get away with heinous acts thanks to #MeToo. And perhaps the docuseries, Surviving R. Kelly , has also helped. Either way, Kelly’s arrest was long overdue. And as disgusting as these tapes may be, the prosecution may need a mountain of evidence to counteract the kinds of attorneys that Kelly can afford. View Slideshow: R. Kelly Addresses Sex Abuse Accusations in 19-Minute Song
Source: Live Nation / Live Nation R. Kelly has been charged with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse in Cook County, Illinois, court records show. Per the Chicago Sun-Times , Kelly’s first court date is listed as March 8. This is a developing story.
