Concerned Parents Calling R. Kelly a Cult Leader

Several parents are accusing Grammy-winning R&B singer, R. Kelly, of running a physically and mentally abusive “cult.” According to a Buzzfeed exclusive, the “Trapped in the Closet” artist houses women ages 18-31, in his Atlanta and Chicago residencies, dictating everything from the women’s communication with the outside world to their attire, diet, and sexual activity. Each of the victim’s parents shared their creepily similar experiences of how they lost their daughters to the 50-year-old. The common thread between the families: the women allegedly being held against their will are aspiring artists who initially met Kelly at his concert in hopes of gaining a mentor. Could his tours be a strategy to lure in women? If so, he can expect the rumors to damage sales for his current tour. One mother also mentioned that her child seems “as if she was brainwashed”; however, her daughter, nervous and uneasy, insisted in a TMZ video interview that she is in no danger. R. Kelly too, denied the cult claims, but Twitter users are not buying the story. 

With a serious allegation like ‘cult leader’ being thrown around, many want to see the receipts. Former R. Kelly entourage members, Cheryl Mack, Kitti Jones, and Asante McGee, quickly confirmed the horrendous claims. The three verified that there are four young women living in the home as well as a “den-mother” who familiarizes the women to Kelly’s sexual preferences when they first arrive. Further, if the women do not follow instructions, they are abused physically and verbally. Mack, the R&B legend’s former assistant, went further, describing what it’s like to be one of Kelly’s “babies.”

“You have to ask for food. You have to ask to go use the bathroom… [Kelly] is a puppet master,” she said. 

This isn’t the Pied Piper’s first accusation though. He was acquitted on 14 charges of child pornography in 2008. He is also known for his 1994 secret marriage scandal to then 15-year-old singer, Aaliyah Haughton, during his late 20’s.

Though the parents have contacted the FBI to bring their girls back, nothing can be done to save the women – as law enforcement is unsure if R. Kelly is breaking any rules since the women are above the legal age of consent. One thing is for certain; the victim’s mothers just want their daughters home.

~ Timia Whitsey