Lady Gaga has apologized for working with R. Kelly and plans to remove their 2013 single from streaming services. Gaga has been under fire to condemn Kelly since the recent Lifetime documentary, "Surviving R. Kelly," was released. The documentary chronicles allegations of abuse, predatory behavior and pedophilia against Kelly (Kelly has strongly denied the allegations.)
Gaga's single "Do What U Want (With My Body)" featured vocals by Kelly. The collaboration was controversial at the time because the R&B singer had stood trial in Chicago on child pornography charges a few years prior to the single's release, though Kelly was acquitted.
Lady Gaga said in a statement: "as a victim of sexual assault myself, I made both the song and the video at a dark time in my life, my intention was to create something extremely defiant and provocative because I was angry and still hadn't processed the trauma that had occurred in my own life." She added: "I intend to remove this song off of iTunes and other streaming platforms and will not be working with him again," she said. "I'm sorry, both for my poor judgment when I was young, and for not speaking out sooner."
"Surviving R. Kelly" documentary series producer, Dream Hampton, said she wished Gaga could have spoken to her for the project.. There had also been an outcry for Gaga -- who has been a proponent of the #MeToo and Time's Up movements -- to speak out against Kelly.
"Surviving R. Kelly" aired over three nights on Lifetime and has renewed interest in sexual assault allegations against Kelly.
Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com