Disgraced singer R. Kelly had his first performance post-sexual-abuse accusations on April 7 in Springfield, Illinois.
The embattled pop singer reportedly made a whopping $22,000 for a 28-second performance and spending time at the venue for about an hour, according to a report published Thursday by TMZ. People are reportedly upset about the performance, but Kelly’s ex-wife is okay with it.
Kelly has obligations, and “no one can be mad at him for that,” the star’s ex-wife told TMZ.
Kelly took to Instagram before the scheduled event to ask the media to “take it easy” on him and that the performance was just a way for him to make money. It’s no secret Kelly has been facing financial problems. (RELATED: R. Kelly Wants The Press To ‘Take It Easy’ On Him)
The 52-year-old singer was arrested recently for failure to pay $161,000 in child support back pay. A friend paid his bail so that Kelly could be released from prison.
EXCLUSIVE: here’s the full clip of the 28 second performance of #Rkelly at Dirty South Lounge pic.twitter.com/MFipsUiyU9
— Brittany Hardaway (@brittanyhtv) April 8, 2019
Last month, Kelly’s attorney Steve Greenberg requested that the court allow Kelly to travel to Dubai for scheduled performances. Greenberg argued that the concerts were needed so that Kelly could continue to pay his child support and his legal fees. (RELATED: Report: R. Kelly’s First Performance Since Serving Time Behind Bars Lasts A Total Of 28 Seconds)
“Authorities in Dubai have not received any request for a performance by singer R. Kelly, nor are there any venues that have been booked,” the Dubai government released in a statement.
