R Kelly accuses ex-wife of destroying his name
An interview with the embattled singer has been aired on television in the US.
R&B star R Kelly has blamed his ex-wife for “destroying” his name.
CBS This Morning has aired the second instalment of its interview with the embattled singer, who faces sexual abuse charges and is currently in jail after saying he could not afford to pay 161,000 US dollars (£122,000) in back child support he owes.
In the TV interview aired on Thursday, Kelly asks: “How can I pay child support if my ex-wife is destroying my name and I can’t work?”
Kelly shouted and cried about his financial situation and his relationship with his three children.
He said his wife was lying when she alleged he had abused her. Kelly says he has “zero” relationship with his children, but says he knows they love him.
Kelly also claimed other people have rifled his bank account.
The singer was taken into custody during a hearing over the child support on Wednesday. His next hearing is scheduled for next Wednesday.
His publicist Darryll Johnson said the singer came to the hearing prepared to pay 50,000 to 60,000 US dollars (£38,000-£45,000), but the judge wanted the whole amount.
He said Kelly did not have the whole amount because he has not been able to work.
Kelly was charged last month with 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse involving four women, including three who were underage at the time the abuse is alleged to have occurred.
He spent a weekend in jail before someone posted his 100,000 dollar (£76,000) bail, and his defence lawyer said at the time that Kelly’s finances were “a mess”.
Kelly has denied any wrongdoing and says his accusers are lying.
The CBS interview, which was recorded earlier this week, marked the first time Kelly has spoken publicly since his arrest last month in the sexual abuse case.
In segments that aired on Wednesday, Kelly whispered, cried and ranted while pleading with viewers to believe that he had never had sex with anyone under the age of 17 and never held anyone against their will.
Kelly’s emotions swung wildly as he claimed he was simply someone with a “big heart” who was betrayed by liars who hoped to cash in.
In a particularly dramatic moment, he angrily stood up and started pacing, his voice breaking as he yelled: “I didn’t do this stuff, this is not me.”
He cried as he hit his hands together, saying, “I’m fighting for my… life.”
