On Wednesday (March 6), CBS This Morning aired the first part of its interview with R. Kelly concerning his past and present sexual abuse cases. The controversial singer also addressed Lifetime’s Surviving R. Kelly documentary, which featured recollections from several women who claimed Kelly repeatedly took advantage of them.
“If you really look at that documentary, which I’m sure you have, everybody says something bad about me,” Kelly said to journalist Gayle King. “Nobody said nothing good. They was describing Lucifer. I’m not Lucifer. I’m a man. I make mistakes, but I’m not a devil, and by no means am I a monster.”
As the interview progressed Kelly broke down in tears, a gesture that prompted Twitter users to share their thoughts on the viral interview.
To see R Kelly lose it in an interview with @GayleKing @CBSThisMorning doesn’t exactly promote innocence. He desperately needs help. Very sad. #cbsthismorning
— ☆ Steve Levine ☆ (@SteveLevine1) March 6, 2019
Gayle when R Kelly stood up ranting and carrying on #CBSThisMorning pic.twitter.com/zWcIrW1Gvy
— DKT (@darleneturner53) March 6, 2019
R Kelly ‘s defense attorney was high when he approved this interview. #CBSThisMorning pic.twitter.com/V470LqsKft
— Chelsea (@NYCChelseaGirl) March 6, 2019
Someday very soon, law students from across the country will learn what NOT to do by studying the decision to have R. Kelly sit (and stand) for an in-depth TV interview while facing multiple felony charges. Truly unbelievable.
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) March 6, 2019
R. Kelly reminds me of people in high school who always thought if they were loud that nobody would fight them. They would rant, scream, and act a fool because they know they were wrong.
Gayle King, however, reminds me of the person who always won the fight. Unbothered. Mood. pic.twitter.com/XM2VFVyor9
— Preston Mitchum (@PrestonMitchum) March 6, 2019
I don’t even think R Kelly believes R Kelly. Let’s start there
— nolwazi (@nolwizzle) March 6, 2019
The fact that there’s a SECOND tape that clearly shows R.Kelly with an underage girl and people still believe him is crazy.
— Stan Smith (@DaRealStanSmith) March 6, 2019
“What kind of parent let’s there kids around R. Kelly, until R. Kelly wasn’t paying them to have them around anymore.” – R. Kelly pic.twitter.com/455P3ROWPp
— Kazeem Famuyide (@RealLifeKaz) March 6, 2019
There’s a lot going on in these R. Kelly clips. But one thing that jumps out is how direct, super clear and no frills these questions are by @GayleKing. She’s asking exactly what most of us would ask if we were in her seat. Crazy how refreshing it is. Speaks to how rare it is. https://t.co/Pt0ISn32sM
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) March 6, 2019
I have met with some of R. Kelly’s victims.
The man is lying.
I lost count of the lies he told in this interview with Gayle King. It’s in the dozens of lies.
He is a disturbing sociopath.
— Shaun King (@shaunking) March 6, 2019
Bravo @GayleKing for calm and and steady focus during #RKelly interview. Outstanding job!
Tell @CBSThisMorning we want to see the whole thing.— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) March 6, 2019
Thinking or RK’s survivors this morning. Hoping they have a modicum of @GayleKing’s level of unbothered by that fool’s shenanigans. Praying they aren’t triggered by watching their abuser try to discredit them on national TV and hoping they rest well knowing his days are numbered.
— Tarana (@TaranaBurke) March 6, 2019
While we watch Gayle handle this interview, let’s remember R. Kelly still owes $162,000 in unpaid child support due TODAY.
If he doesn’t pay it, the judge can throw him back in jail. #RKelly
— Adrienne Lawrence (@AdrienneLaw) March 6, 2019
The most incredible part of @GayleKing‘s @CBSThisMorning interview with @rkelly? He keeps a Christmas tree up year-round at his home at Trump Tower in downtown Chicago. #rkellyinterview
— Mark Bergin (@mdbergin) March 6, 2019
The R Kelly interview with Gayle King in a nutshell: pic.twitter.com/BLJ773MPms
— Kristina Womp-Wong ❄️ (@mskristinawong) March 6, 2019
This #rkellyinterview is crazy. But @GayleKing is amazing – her calm in that situation is unbelievable. An absolute pro. I would have been a mess when it got that heated.
— Joce Sterman (@jocefromthenews) March 6, 2019
i don’t care to hear any dismissal of CBS or Gayle King for interviewing R. Kelly and trying to dismiss it as simply celebrity tabloid news.
Black women matter and perhaps more ongoing coverage of his sexual abuse in the past would have protected more lives. #MuteRKelly pic.twitter.com/YnhxI2Ja7g
— Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) March 5, 2019
Me watching R Kelly breakdown and cry pic.twitter.com/szIfTtvPJE
— lil duval (@lilduval) March 6, 2019
Lordt…the Gayle King “R. Kelly Interview” displays the behavior of a man who knows that for him, it’s finally a wrap as his days have been numbered…
— George Lee (@Echo73) March 6, 2019
I really am trying to figure out who thought this R Kelly interview was a good idea. Salute Gayle King, she just let him devolve while keeping calm the whole time.
— C Gilpatrick (@djcnote34) March 6, 2019
R. Kelly wasn’t there to have a real conversation. He was trying to shift the public’s view of him to make himself a victim. Boy bye
— No (@MiAmorMo) March 6, 2019
I can’t even lie but that R Kelly interview broke my heart.
— basie skanks (@sirrrcharlesss) March 6, 2019
these comments on that R Kelly interview I swear….
— L.ord P.eaceful 🇬🇭 (@Baba_LP_7) March 6, 2019
Just bc Rkelly is yelling and crying doesn’t mean he’s telling the truth. Like my grandma always says “Empty vessels make the most noise.”
— Pam (@MiseducationofP) March 6, 2019
Part two of CBS This Morning‘s interview with Kelly will air on Thursday (March 7).