In January 2019, "Surviving R. Kelly," a three-part documentary, was released on Lifetime, detailing the musician's predatory actions over the course of his career. As numerous allegations floated all over the internet, Gayle King famously interviewed the artist about the documentary's claims. Kelly denied that he was responsible for sexual abuse, but King continued to push. This ultimately led to the viral moment in which Kelly stood up in a fit of rage and yelled at the camera, declaring his innocence.
While other platforms poked fun at R. Kelly's outburst, CBS called his actions "unhinged." Given the rumors about Kelly's character, the moment also made several close friends and family members worry about King's safety. During her appearance on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" in the days following the interview, King revealed that she wasn't afraid of R. Kelly during his outburst. Colbert asked if her family checked on her after the interview, and she responded, "Oh yeah. Favorite daughter Kirby, favorite son Will, Oprah called because they thought, you know, 'We were very very worried.' I guess when you look at that picture, it is very menacing."
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
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