Source: Live Nation / Live Nation
Lifetime is gearing up to debut the follow-up to the groundbreaking Surviving R. Kelly documentary, a film that sparked a much-needed conversation surrounding Black women who are survivors of abuse, and subsequently led to the arrest of the embattled R&B star.
According to Deadline, the two-hour special entitled, Surviving R. Kelly: The Impact, is scheduled to air on May 4 and will focus on the lives of the families who were affected by Kelly and the discourse in the aftermath of the initial documentary which aired in January. Journalist Soledad O’Brien will host the special which will include interviews with journalists, experts and psychologists surrounding Kelly and his accusers. The film will also analyze the singer’s tense CBS interview with Gayle King.
According to Deadline, the impact of the documentary encouraged more survivors to speak out about abuse they’ve experienced–calls to sexual assault hotlines increased by 35 percent.
Due to the large work of grassroots organizers who formed together with #MuteRKelly, while calls for the signer to be dropped from his record label have grown more fervent. #MuteRKelly organizers have also demonstrated against scheduled concert dates, encouraging promoters to pull out, which many have.
Kelly has faced a multitude of legal problems in the aftermath of the documentary. Most recently, he lost a hearing involving a woman who claims the singer sexually abused her when she was 16.
In January after Surviving R. Kelly aired, his record label announced they were parting ways with the singer. Weeks later he was arrested and indicted on 10 felony counts of aggravated sexual abuse against four people, including three minors, dating back to 1998.
SOURCE: MadameNoire.com
Article Courtesy of MadameNoire
First Picture Courtesy of Cook County Department of Corrections
Second Picture Courtesy of Live Nation
