SOHH Squad
R&B veteran Erykah Badu is catching some major backlash. The crooner has felt the Internet’s wrath after giving some support to disgraced singer R. Kelly.
The controversy started over the weekend when she appeared to show sympathy for Kells during a Chicago show.
“I’m putting up a prayer right now for [R. Kelly],” Badu told audience members at the Aragon Ballroom. “I hope he sees the light of day if he’s done all those things that we’ve seen on TV and heard those ladies talk about. I hope he sees the light of day and comes forward.” Badu continued, “What if one of the people that was assaulted by R. Kelly grows up to be an offender? Are we gonna crucify them? I mean, how do we do this? It’s just something to think about.” (Huffington Post)
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https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs3RNwmlvI8/
Once the footage went viral, the Internet erupted with mixed reactions.
https://twitter.com/welljanelle_/status/1087003680430272514
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Auntie @fatbellybella we understand your point of view and you’re not raising monsters. Your belief is simple love, unconditional love. It’s not meant to be perceived as you taking his side. I think that’s the misconception, you’re obviously not condoning his behavior. pic.twitter.com/6XWGIf4Ku4
— Graphics 20/20 (@G20Twenty) January 21, 2019
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https://twitter.com/jacquemarquez_/status/1086852779614846976
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https://twitter.com/hausmuva/status/1087028756731056128
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It’s real funny how so many people are at the same show but hear things differently. It’s blowing my mind how many posts I’m seeing about last night. @fatbellybella didn’t defend R. Kelly. Stop cancelling people because the angry mob on twitter says to do so.
— Decay, The Llama (@emceedecay) January 21, 2019
Erykah Badu has BEEN problematic.
— Grizzlies😁 (@Imma_GENE_Us) January 20, 2019
She did say ‘ if one of the people he assaulted, begins to attack others, will we crucify the as well’. What I believe she was saying was, since R.Kelly was also victim of sexual abuse and grew up to became a predator, he started a sick cycle and it’s still going on today
— PaigeThePlug (@PaigeThePlug) January 20, 2019
She wasn’t trying to justify or condone his actions but was saying the she hopes he gets some help! That’s what I took from it
— PaigeThePlug (@PaigeThePlug) January 20, 2019
Following the online outbursts, Badu went to social media with a direct message to her 2.59 million Twitter followers.
I love you. Unconditionally.
That doesn’t mean I support your poor choices.
I want healing for you and anyone you have hurt as a result of you being hurt. Is that strange to you ?
That’s all I’ve ever said. Anything else has been fabricated or taken out of context. – eb— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) January 21, 2019
A few days ago, Badu appeared to hint at having an open mind with an Instagram post.
I am to the point that I am extremely tired of all these over opinionated people over situations that they do not know but bits and pieces of stories. People have the audacity to try and get mad with celebrities when they do not say what they want them to say. The only thing Erika said was if he did do these things, she hopes he comes out and admits or owns up to them. I do not know what everybody else interpreted. I’m hearing people apologizing for making great music with R Kelly. For What? It’s not like when you were making music with him on a professional level that you know what someone will be accused of 20 years later or how much is true and not.