Lifetime’s new docusesries “Surviving R. Kelly” debuted with two episodes Thursday night, prompting many viewers to take to Twitter praisting singer John Legend — one of the only major musicians to participate in the show — for speaking out about the R&B singer.
But Legend says the decision to come aboard the project chronicling the accusations of sexual, mental and physical abuse made against Kelly by multiple women was an “easy” one for him.
“To everyone telling me how courageous I am for appearing in the doc, it didn’t feel risky at all,” Legend tweeted Thursday. “I believe these women and don’t give a f–k about protecting a serial child rapist. Easy decision.”
He added: “Also I’m happy to support the work of people like my friends at @ALongWalkHome who have been speaking out on behalf of the survivors for a long time.”
Legend also gave a special shout-out to “Surviving R. Kelly” documentarian and producer Dream Hampton, writing: “We should all thank my friend @dreamhampton for her very necessary work to create #SurvivingRKelly These survivors deserved to be lifted up and heard. I hope it gets them closer to some kind of justice.”
Here’s the official description for the six-part docuseries:
In the ground-breaking documentary series “Surviving R. Kelly,” women are emerging from the shadows and uniting their voices to share their stories. Celebrated as one of the greatest R&B singers of all time, R. Kelly’s genre defining career and playboy lifestyle has been riddled with rumors of abuse, predatory behavior, and pedophilia. Despite damning evidence and multiple witnesses, to date, none of these accusations have seemingly affected him. For the first time ever, survivors and people from R. Kelly’s inner circle, are coming forward with new allegations about his sexual, mental, and physical abuse. They are now finally ready to share their full story and shed light on the secret life the public has never seen.
The doc will air two more episodes Friday and two more Saturday, with Legend saying during an interview in the final installment: “R. Kelly has brought so much pain to so many people. #TimesUp for R. Kelly.”
A representative for Kelly did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment on Legend’s tweets.
See Legend’s tweets below.
To everyone telling me how courageous I am for appearing in the doc, it didn't feel risky at all. I believe these women and don't give a fuck about protecting a serial child rapist. Easy decision.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) January 4, 2019
Also I'm happy to support the work of people like my friends at @ALongWalkHome who have been speaking out on behalf of the survivors for a long time.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) January 4, 2019
We should all thank my friend @dreamhampton for her very necessary work to create #SurvivingRKelly. These survivors deserved to be lifted up and heard. I hope it gets them closer to some kind of justice.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) January 4, 2019
The remaining episodes of “Surviving R. Kelly” air Friday and Saturday at 9/8c on Lifetime.