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R. Kelly Says Media Using Sex Allegations to Destroy His Legacy

In recent years, as more women have come forward to allege misconduct, protests against Kelly have increased

R. Kelly claims the media are attempting to distort and destroy his legacy by reporting allegations that he sexually mistreats women.

The R&B artist is "heartbroken" by the accusations, he said in a statement Friday.

Calling himself "a God-fearing man, a son, a brother, and most importantly a father," Kelly said the media "has dissected and manipulated these false allegations."

Kelly was acquitted of child pornography charges in Chicago in 2008, but speculation about his alleged sexual misconduct has continued. Last month, the #MuteRKelly campaign was launched.

"We demand appropriate investigations and inquiries into the allegations of R. Kelly's abuse made by women and their families for more than two decades now. And we declare with great vigilance and a united voice to anyone who wants to silence us — their time is up," the statement said.

The statement was issued by the Women of Color committee within Time's Up, which includes Oscar-nominated director Ava DuVernay, TV mogul Shonda Rhimes and actress Jurnee Smollett-Bell.

In recent years, as more women have come forward to allege misconduct, protests against Kelly have increased.

A woman told Rolling Stone last year that she was in a long-term relationship with the singer that was sexually and physically abusive. Parents claimed their daughter was being held by Kelly as part of a sex cult but their daughter, who was of age, denied their claims. And recently, a woman in Dallas filed a lawsuit against the singer claiming he gave her a sexually transmitted disease, and she claimed he was grooming her to be a part of a sex cult.

Kelly has denied all allegations against him.

He said Friday that he is currently not the subject of any criminal investigations and that the accusations "perpetuated by the media" are an "attempt to distort my character and to destroy my legacy that I have worked so hard to build."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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