Kelly Requests To Travel To Dubai To “Meet With Royal Family”

In lieu of the recent criminal accusations surrounding the R&B singer Robert Kelly (better known as R. Kelly), he is now requesting to travel for a performance in Dubai. Meeting with the judge for the request Kelly stated that he would be performing and claims to be meeting the royal family of Dubai.

Kelly still maintains his innocence and denies all abuse accusations against him and is struggling to find work since the protest group #MuteRKelly is causing many venues to cancel Kelly’s concerts. Since his arrest, in February many people are protesting Kelly’s music and performances. Kelly is currently charged with 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse for assaulting three underage girls and one woman.

Since the release of the Lifetime documentary series, “Surviving R. Kelly,” many fans are turning their backs on the R&B artist over accusations of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse against the women he claims are in a consensual relationship with. There are also allegations that Kelly would choose young girls as his victims because they were easier to manipulate and many families were blinded by fame.

The docu-series lead to many radio stations, streaming platforms, and venues to boycott his music, leaving Kelly looking to international performances for revenue. Kelly was unclear about how much money he would make from the performance and exactly where he would be performing.

Since Kelly is out on bond he has to adhere to the conditions that he must have a judge’s approval to travel out of the state of Illinois. Kelly’s defense team maintains that he is “not a flight risk.”

Kelly claims that he needs to travel for this performance because he is having a hard time paying for legal fees, child support, and other bills. Kelly is insecure on funds since a majority of his concerts are canceled, his record contract revoked, and streaming services removed his songs from their platforms.

According to the court filing, his defense states that Kelly signed the contract for the Dubai performances before being arrested. The contract was for three to five performances in Dubai in April and also planned on meeting the royal family.

Kelly’s defense team also maintains that the UAE would not harbor a fugitive and potentially tarnish their relationship with the US, but the US doesn’t have an extradition treaty with the UAE.

Officials in the UAE have not responded to comment on the matter and Kelly’s next court date is on Friday. For more on the R. Kelly case, check out the video above.