Twitter Weighed In On That R. Kelly Interview And It's Not Looking Good For Him

R. Kelly sat down with CBS This Morning host Gayle King for his first interview since he was indicted in February on 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, and although the singer had few supporters, many other viewers were not buying his story. During the interview, Kelly claimed those who’ve accused him of sexual misconduct were lying and that he’s being “assassinated.” “I have been assassinated, buried alive! But I’m alive,” a visibly agitated Kelly said. “I didn’t do this stuff. This is not me! I’m fighting for my f-cking life! You’re all trying to kill me!” In spite of being overcome with emotion and even yelling directly into the camera, many viewers took to Twitter to say they did not buy the “I Believe I Can Fly” singer’s performance. Lawyer Michael Avenatti, who represents at least one of Kelly’s most recent accusers, argued, “R Kelly is a much better singer than he is an actor.” Meanwhile, the advocacy group, Black Women’s Blueprint, chalked the musician’s outburst up to “emotional warfare.”

Abusers like R. Kelly know how to wage emotional warfare. They'll use tears to present themselves as victims, to garner public sympathy and make those they abuse feel responsible for their emotions.

This is manipulation. And we will not fall for it. #MuteRKelly #rkellyinterview

— BlackWomensBlueprint (@BlackWomensBP) March 6, 2019

“Abusers like R. Kelly know how to wage emotional warfare. They’ll use tears to present themselves as victims, to garner public sympathy and make those they abuse feel responsible for their emotions,” the group tweeted. Some who watched also poked holes in Kelly’s claims. https://twitter.com/Marisa_Carroll/status/1103324921885806593 https://twitter.com/KhaledBeydoun/status/1103336625852043265

So…R.Kelly admits he engages in human trafficking https://t.co/3jizohHOlD

— Brandon Pope TV (@BpopeTV) March 6, 2019

https://twitter.com/bwandyn/status/1103322360327729158 https://twitter.com/ChristineFox/status/1103302490752147456 Others praised King’s ability to ask tough questions and keep her composure while Kelly ranted about being targeted. https://twitter.com/ava/status/1103284426702635008

Gayle King needs to train police on how to keep their cool when somebody is just acting a fool. #rkellyinterview pic.twitter.com/wnmjJFcuT9

— Sabrina Anirbas (@step4battle) March 6, 2019

R Kelly isn’t even talking to Gayle so much as he’s talking to the camera. He wants this interview to be another performance. He wasn’t ready for Gayle’s stellar and unflappable style. pic.twitter.com/jxYisuGT1N

— deray (@deray) March 6, 2019

Gayle King deserves an Emmy, a Peabody, a Pulitzer and a Nobel Peace Prize for her calm, professional demeanor during this crazy interview with R. Kelly.pic.twitter.com/IRJdoP8ELi

— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) March 6, 2019

Gayle’s giving him the same face I’ve seen black mommas gives their toddlers during temper tantrums. I was just waiting for her to say, “Are you done yet?” https://t.co/awfA0dntv2

— Angie Thomas (@angiecthomas) March 6, 2019

https://twitter.com/ira/status/1103113091284234240 While it remains to be seen what effect, if any, Kelly’s appearance will have on his legal battle, he’s expected to appear in court again on March 22.