Kenyan Hollywood actress Lupita Nyong’o has become the latest celebrity to joins calls to have American star musician Robert Sylvester Kelly alias R Kelly probed over alleged sexual misconduct.
Lupita threw her weight behind the Women of Color (WOC) group’s call on the entertainment industry to cut ties with the R&B singer. Kelly has faced numerous allegations of sexual abuse on women and underaged girls for a long time.
In a post on Instagram, Nyong’o showed solidarity with WOC by editing her profile to include the hashtags #MuteRKelly and #TimesUp.
“We demand appropriate investigations and inquiries into the allegations of R. Kelly abuse,” her latest post reads.
In 2002, the artiste was indicted on child pornography charges after reportedly recording himself having sex with an unidentified minor. He was, however, acquitted in 2008.
Last year, a 24-year-old woman claimed that she had a sexual relationship with Kelly when she was a teen, but the singer denied the accusation and no criminal charges were filed.
In a letter on Monday, WOC group called on the entertainment industry to disassociate itself from Kelly over his alleged conduct.
“To Our Fellow Women of Color: We see you. We hear you. Because we are you.”
“For too long, our community has ignored our pain. The pain we bear is a burden that too many women of color have had to bear for centuries. The wounds run deep,” the letter continues.
“As women of color within Time’s Up, we recognize that we have a responsibility to help right this wrong. We intend to shine a bright light on our WOC sisters in need. It is our hope that we will never feel ignored or silenced ever again.”
Time’s Up is asking various businesses, including RCA Records, Spotify and Apple Music, to stop doing business with the musician.
