Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard about the Lifetime docu-series Surviving R. Kelly, which includes detailed allegations of the R&B artist’s sexual and psychological abuse of young women.
Last week, the series’ executive producer Dream Hampton said bisexual pop star Lady Gaga had refused to offer a comment for her series, despite having collaborated with R. Kelley in the past.
But Gaga has finally spoken out against Kelly and pledged to remove their 2013 collaboration, “Do What U Want,” from music streaming services.
In a recent Instagram story, Gaga wrote, “I stand behind these women 1000%, believe them, know they are suffering and in pain, and feel strongly that their voices should be heard and taken seriously. What I am hearing about the allegations against R. Kelly is absolutely horrifying and indefensible.”
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She continued, “As a victim of sexual assault myself, I made both the song (‘Do What U Want’) and the video at a dark time in my life, my intention was to create something extremely defiant and provocative because I was angry and still hadn’t processed the trauma that had occurred in my own life.”
Gaga then explained, “I think it’s clear how explicitly twisted my thinking was at the time. If I could go back and have a talk with my younger self, I’d tell her to go through the therapy I have since then, so that I could understand the confused post-traumatic state I was in — or if therapy was not available to me or anyone in my situation—to seek help, and speak as openly and honestly about what I’ve been through.”
“I can’t go back, but I can go forward and continue to support women, men, and people of all sexual identities, and of all races, who are victims of sexual assault. I have demonstrated my stance on this issue and others many times throughout my career. I share this not to make excuses for myself, but to explain. Til it happens to you , you don’t know how it feels. But I do know how I feel now.”
She then wrote, “I intend to remove this song from iTunes and other streaming platforms and will not be working with [Kelly] again. I’m sorry, both for my poor judgement when I was young, and for not speaking out sooner. I love you.”
Here is a screenshot of her statement:
During the 2016 Academy Awards, Gaga sang her award-nominated song, “Til It Happens to You,” a track she wrote for the 2015 documentary The Hunting Ground, a film about rape at U.S. college campuses. During her performance, 50 sexual assault survivors joined Gaga onstage while she played the emotional track.
The lyrics of the “Do What U Want” include the words, “Do what you want, what you want with my body / Do what you want, don’t stop, let’s party … / My bones hurt from all the show / but I don’t feel the pain ’cause I’m a pro. / I sink in and then I’m okay, / ’cause my body belongs to you when I’m on stage.”
Here is the Gaga/Kelly collaboration, “Do What U Want”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3jzMyYgPQs
The docu-series alleges that R Kelly has had numerous sexual relationships with female minors and using coercive methods to keep his underage partners quiet. Kelly’s lawyer has threatened to sue calling the series “full of lies.” Nevertheless, it has compelled the district attorney of Fulton County, Georgia to open a new investigation into Kelly’s alleged abuses.
Pistolo
Finally.
What upsets me is how long it took and how many of her fans and how much of the media was willing to turn a blind eye to it all. The fact it had to go this far for it even be acknowledged…that should tell you everything.
Polaro
Who made Gaga the police?
Pete le meat
I’m not so sure that Lady Gaga is bisexual. Many women make up their bisexuality because it accommodates straight men’s fantasies.
Pete le meat
Typical female hypocrite.
Brian
Any apology that you make only because you were pressured into it is completely meaningless. She doesn’t give a crap about these women and never has. Plus, she still has yet to say anything about Terry Richardson, who has tons of sexual assault accusations against him, including him ejaculating on a model’s face. Today would have been a pretty good day for it, no?
sfbrian
You certainly aren’t helping the issue by posting the video. Anyone giving a crap about R. Kelly most certainly could have just Googled it.
justmythoughts
Gaga will do anything to get media attention… at the time of she released the song she was ok with him… now she wants an Oscar & can’t hide from the documentary, so she regrets the song…. Enough of her!
nitejonboy
She’s only apologizing because it NOW makes her look bad…the song is offensive and she should have never sung it with him in the first place, it’s too late for sorrys Gaga!!