Sharing her thoughts on 'Surviving R. Kelly', the 'Too Little Too Late' singer additionally applauds courageous women who come forward to tell their stories of sexual assault.
- January 7, 2019
AceShowbiz - Singer JoJo has heaped praise on the women coming forward with sexual assault allegations against R. Kelly, revealing she heard all about the R&B star's reputation when she was starting out at the age of 12.
Like many, the young star has been gripped by Lifetime's six-part "Surviving R. Kelly" documentary series, which debuted in America last week (ends January 04), and following the Saturday night finale, she took to Twitter to share her thoughts on the show.
"Many of these stories I was hearing when I, myself, was wayyyy underage," she writes. "Making my first album at 12 and then 14/15. I was a HUGEEEEE R Kelly fan, came from a broken home, had daddy issues, and wondered... how did these girls get chosen? I wondered if I could/would be."
Many of these stories I was hearing when I, myself, was wayyyy underage. Making my first couple albums at 12 and then 14/15. I was a HUGEEEEE R Kelly fan, came from a broken home, had daddy issues, and wondered... how did these girls get chosen? I wondered if I could/would be.
— JoJo. (@iamjojo) January 5, 2019
She then thanked her mother always being by her side until she turned 18 - and never letting her work with Kelly, even though JoJo "begged" her to reconsider.
so so thankful 2have had my mom by my side (THANK U MOM I LOVE U MADLY) who 1- never left me alone for a second until I turned 18, 2- never let me work w R Kelly when I begged her to 3- never let me get too close to other predatory men who wanted to do who-knows-what to me
— JoJo. (@iamjojo) January 5, 2019
"(She never let me) get too close to predatory men who wanted to do god-knows-what to me," she adds. "If I didn't have her, I could have easily (have) fallen victim to someone..."
Becuase, if I didn’t have her, I could have easily fallen victim to someone like R Kelly. Period.
— JoJo. (@iamjojo) January 5, 2019
She completed her tweet session by paying tribute to the women who came forward for the documentary, adding: "I feel DEEPLY for these COURAGEOUS QUEENS who come forward and in some cases risk their lives 2share their story & let others know they're not alone!!!!".
I feel DEEPLY for these COURAGEOUS QUEENS who come forward and in some cases risk their lives 2share their story &let others know they’re not alone!!!! Going up against powerful people/ entities fucking intimidating/ terrifying.
— JoJo. (@iamjojo) January 5, 2019
How is it that R Kelly's music sales have spiked (substantially) since the release of the docuseries Surviving R Kelly? I need some help in understanding. What am I missing??? pic.twitter.com/pysqVxLzyi
— Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapsmith) January 6, 2019
Actress Jada Pinkett Smith was also watching "Surviving R. Kelly" carefully, and on Sunday, January 06 she posted a video message online, blasting those who have rushed out to buy Kelly's music in light of the series.
"So I got an article this morning about how R.Kelly's music sales have spiked... substantially since the release of Surviving R. Kelly... and I'm having a really hard time understanding why," she said, urging her fans to help her to understand "what I'm missing".
"I really don't wanna believe it's because black girls don't matter enough."
Jada promised to address the R. Kelly documentary and all the reactions to it during a Facebook Live chat on Wednesday, January 09.
The hard-hitting series investigates claims of assault, violence, and underaged sex, which have been lodged against the R&B star over many years.
Kelly has maintained the allegations are all false and he has threatened to sue Lifetime bosses for airing the documentary.
