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The revelations in Lifetime’s shockingR. Kellydocumentary are sending the Twitterverse into an uproar.
The first part of the six-part series aired on Thursday night and features wide-ranging interviews with R. Kelly’sfamily members, former friends and colleagues, but most notably, women who claim that for decades the hit-making singer and producer used his power and influence to sexually andphysically abusewomen and young girls.
Most of the praise for the documentary is rooted in the idea that the music community knew about the 51-year-old’s alleged behavior and continued to cover up for him.
Others also criticized some viewers’ argument that the girls and women involved should’ve known better.
And praised the network for taking a stand:
Those who maintained their support of R. Kelly largely called out the salacious nature of the documentary.
The alleged abuse outlined in the first night of the documentary included an emotional interview with former backup singer Jovante Cunningham, who met R. Kelly at age 14 and claims she bore direct witness to a sexual encounter Kelly had with his one-time protégéeAaliyah Haughton. (On Wednesday, Aaliyah’s mother Diane Haughton posted a statement to the official Aaliyah Twitter account,denying the allegationthat any such thing could have happened and calling Cunningham’s statements “lies and fabrications.”)
“It’s unfortunate that there are still people trying to protect Robert when they know he has destroyed so many people’s lives,” she writes. “I loved Aaliyah and when people watch the documentary, they will see how much I cared for her and how much Robert’s actions deeply affected me and so many others.”
RELATED VIDEO: John Legend Speaks Out Against R. Kelly in New Documentary About Alleged Abuse
In a statement to PEOPLE, Lifetime said it “has always been a brand that champions women’s stories. The documentary will air as scheduled.”
On Thursday night alone, 1.9 million total viewers tuned in, making Lifetime’s best performance in more than two years, according to Nielsen Media Research. And with over 743,000 total interactions across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter,Surviving R. Kellywas Lifetime’s largest social premiere for any series or movie in network history, Lifetime said in a press release.
For more powerful stories from alleged victims of R. Kelly, pick up this week’s issue of PEOPLE on newsstands now.
Surviving R. Kellyairs on Lifetime at 9 p.m. ET from Thursday, Jan. 3 to Saturday, Jan. 5.
If you or someone you know think they are being abused, call theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) now for anonymous, confidential help, available 24/7.
source: people.com
