John Legend On R. Kelly: ‘It’s Been A Long Time Coming’
Today (Feb. 26), R&B/soul singer John Legend visited the Today Show.
Legend, who has been vocal about standing behind R. Kelly’s victims told the Today Show‘s hosts that R. Kelly being prosecuted has “been a long time coming”.
“I think it’s been a long time coming…we looked away for too long…his victims deserve justice.” @JohnLegend on R. Kelly pic.twitter.com/3M4GM3oD1y
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) February 26, 2019
“I’m so glad that the documentary was made. I’m so glad that the victims got to have their voices heard, and I think them having their voices heard, this story being retold, because it’s been told before,” Legend, said. “But I think being retold through that medium really brought the issue to a lot of people’s attention, and I think it inspired the law enforcement to move on some things that they weren’t moving on before.”
Legend was featured in the Lifetime documentary Surviving R. Kelly.
“I think it’s been a long time coming,” the singer continued. “I think a lot of us kind of tolerated it or looked the other way on that issue for a long time, and a lot of people were being hurt for decades. And we looked away for too long.”
Legend continued and said that he thinks Kelly’s victims deserve justice.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 25: R&B singer R. Kelly fights his way through photographers outside of the Cook County jail after posting $100 thousand bond on February 25, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Kelly was being held after turning himself in to face ten counts of aggravated sexual abuse. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Yesterday (Feb. 25), Kelly posted $100,000 bail and was released from jail. The “Feelin’ On Yo Booty” singer’s bond was set at $1million.
Kelly has been charged with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and is scheduled to appear in court on Mar. 22.
He has plead not guilty to the charges.
Glennisha Morgan is a Detroit-bred multimedia journalist and writer. She writes about intersectionality, hip-hop, pop culture, queer issues, race, feminism, and her truth.
