​R. Kelly faces new abuse allegation

R. Kelly has been accused of further allegations of sexual abuse. This time, one of the claims concerns a 17-year-old boy.

In Friday’s court filing, prosecutors aired a series of new allegations against Kelly, but no new charges. They now call for a jury, which will be selected in New York next month, to hear about other people who were allegedly sexually or physically abused, threatened or otherwise mistreated by the musician. The number, including the teenage boy, exceeds a dozen.

Within said claim, Kelly allegedly propositioned and had sexual contact with the 17-year-old, who he met in a McDonald’s branch in December 2006. The boy is said to have been an aspiring musician who Kelly then invited to his Chicago studio.

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The new allegations develop an already extensive list, involving accusations that date back to the start of his career, over two decades ago.

Previous stories of Kelly’s alleged behaviour recall similar themes as those brought to public attention recently, namely the involvement of minors.

Kelly, now 52 years old, has consistently denied all allegations.

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Prosecutors suggest that the new accounts, from the boy and others, would help to reveal a “larger pattern” around the charges, rather than them being “isolated events.”

In 2019, the Lifetime documentary series Surviving R. Kelly shared the voices of young women united by their allegations of sexual violence and abuse against the R&B singer. The show provoked conversations around Kelly’s alleged behaviour and an increase in charges filed against him.

Safi Bugel is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter