R. Kelly broke down in tears during his first public response to recent sexual abuse allegations, categorically denying the claims in a CBS News interview.
"Quit playing, I didn’t do this stuff," the pop singer tearfully told Gayle King of CBS News on Tuesday. This is not me. I’m fighting for my fg life.
The singer faced 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse in a Chicago courtroom on February 22, with three victims allegedly underage at the time of the alleged crimes. Prosecutors cited a 14-year-old girl’s videotaped sexual encounter with Kelly as part of the case, alongside claims involving a teenager met during his 2008 trial on child pornography charges and a 24-year-old hairdresser.
Kelly, who was acquitted of the 2008 pornography charges, argued the new allegations violated double jeopardy principles. "I beat my case… You can’t double-jeopardy me like that. It’s not fair to nobody," he said, referencing his previous legal defense. The #MeToo movement’s impact on accusers’ willingness to come forward was noted as a key contextual shift from the 2008 case.
Prosecutors emphasized renewed legal scrutiny following the movement, while Kelly maintained his innocence, stating "There’s no merit to the allegations I forced underage girls to have sex with me." He declined to discuss prior cases during the interview, citing ongoing legal proceedings.
