Singer and accused sexual predator R. Kelly has removed a social media post promoting an upcoming Australian tour in the midst of widespread condemnation.
On Tuesday, the 52-year-old announced his return to Australia, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka was “coming soon”.
Right. R Kelly is ok… but not a refugee. Geez AUSTRALIA…. pic.twitter.com/CRIJOHScLY
— Sam Dastyari (@samdastyari) February 6, 2019
The news was met by a near-instant backlash, motivated by the numerous harrowing allegations of sexual misconduct levelled against the Grammy Award-winner.
Milo Yiannopolis
Roosh Valizadeh
Lauren Southern
Gavin McInnes
R.KellyWhy is it that Australia has become a plan B for celebrities who aren’t welcome anywhere else?
— Sally Rugg (@sallyrugg) February 6, 2019
The piece of shit known as R. Kelly really deleted his tweet because I got more likes on my reply 👌🦆 pic.twitter.com/fcqd1Tf3nd
— Dolan Dark (@DolanDark) February 6, 2019
R. Kelly announcing a tour of Australia and New Zealand as if news still travels by boat pic.twitter.com/CMMkwKo1Y5
— 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐫 (@treytylor) February 5, 2019
While deeply concerning allegations against Kelly have been public knowledge for much of his career, the 2018 documentary Surviving R Kelly galvanised public opposition to the singer.
The series recounted the fabrication of documents he used to marry singer Aaliyah when she was 15 and he was 27, his acquittal on serious child pornography charges in 2008, and claims that he has manipulated women in abusive, cult-like relationships, among other serious allegations.
Kelly has denied any and all of the criminal activity alleged in the series, and was reportedly planning to start a website smearing many of his accusers featured in the documentary.
In a statement released yesterday, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Shayne Neumann said the Labor Party “would be seriously concerned if Immigration Minister David Coleman would allow an individual such as R Kelly into Australia.”
A Change.org petition was also launched after Kelly’s announcement, urging signatories to call on Coleman to deny Kelly a visa.
It is currently unclear if Kelly’s deletion of the post was related to visa concerns. PEDESTRIAN.TV has contacted Flamingo Dreamz, the event promotions firm linked to Kelly’s Australian tour announcement, for comment.
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