R. Kelly has responded publicly to the growing list of allegations against him, even as more women have come forward.
In a statement released on Friday, Kelly said he is “heartbroken” by the accusations. He described himself as a “God fearing man, a son, a brother and most importantly a father.” He also said the media has “dissected and manipulated these false allegations” in an “attempt to distort my character and to destroy my legacy that I have worked so hard to build.”
Shortly after the statement, BuzzFeed reported new accounts from women who say they were involved with the singer. One woman, Lizzette, told the outlet she was in a relationship with Kelly beginning in 1995, when she was a teenager. She alleged that during the relationship he was controlling and abusive toward her. She told BuzzFeed she later contacted a lawyer but did not pursue legal action, as Page Six also reported. “I wasn’t in it ever for money, and I didn’t want to go through that,” she said.
BuzzFeed also spoke with a woman identified only as Michelle, who said her adult daughter has been out of contact with the family and is living with Kelly. Michelle said she has not been able to reach her daughter in three months. “Something’s got to be done,” she said. “Enough is enough.”
Kelly has denied the allegations against him. We will continue to follow the story as it develops.
