Gayle King praised for keeping composure in the explosive R Kelly interview
Gayle King opened up to ET about her interview with R. Kelly that aired Wednesday on CBS This Morning, in which the embattled singer was highly emotional while denying all sexual abuse allegations against him.
The intense interview marks 52-year-old Kelly’s first since being charged with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse late last month. The singer was extremely passionate during his interview with King — shouting at times, repeatedly asking where the camera was, and at one point, sobbing.
Have you done anything you regret, have you done anything wrong? — @GayleKing
“Lots of things wrong when it comes to women that I apologize, but I apologized in those relationships at the time that I was in the relationship, OK?” — @RKellyhttps://t.co/u4AENVsfAE pic.twitter.com/4GgwQ6y65k
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) March 6, 2019
“If you really look at that documentary, which I’m sure you have… everybody says something bad about me. Nobody said nothing good. They were describing Lucifer. I’m not Lucifer. I’m a man. I make mistakes, but I’m not a devil, and by no means am I a monster.” — @RKelly pic.twitter.com/0NG6C7Yf5Y
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) March 6, 2019
Have you ever had sex with anyone under the age of 17? — @GayleKing
“No. No.” — @RKelly
Never?
“No!” https://t.co/u4AENVsfAE pic.twitter.com/OGjRzY1P2t
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) March 6, 2019
“Stop it. You all quit playing! Quit playing! I didn’t do this stuff! This is not me! I’m fighting for my f***ing life! Y’all killing me with this sh*t!” @RKelly told @GayleKing, standing up. “I gave you 30 years of my f***ing career!”https://t.co/u4AENVJQsc pic.twitter.com/jLF7l8etYh
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) March 6, 2019
Gayle King kept her composure when she sat down with a fired-up R. Kelly.
While Kelly blamed social media for the allegations against him, celebrities and fans on Twitter applauded King, 64, for her journalistic skills and praised her professionalism.
(R. Kelly was “unhinged” in interview with Gayle King, columnist says) Watch the full interview:
“I thought a couple of times that maybe we’re witnessing a breakdown as it’s happening, and that’s why I asked him towards the end of the interview, ‘Have you thought about therapy, or are you in therapy?'” King tells ET. “And he seemed to think, ‘Yeah, I’ve been thinking about that.’ He became very emotional and very, very adamant that his voice was heard.”
King says the interview got so intense at one point that a producer suggested they stop, but she says it was Kelly who refused.
Gayle King is being praised for keeping her composure throughout.
Bravo @GayleKing for calm and and steady focus during #RKelly interview. Outstanding job!
Tell @CBSThisMorning we want to see the whole thing.— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) March 6, 2019
Every single one of us can learn from @GayleKing x pic.twitter.com/YZSUL7hiiJ
— James Corden (@JKCorden) March 6, 2019
There’s a lot going on in these R. Kelly clips. But one thing that jumps out is how direct, super clear and no frills these questions are by @GayleKing. She’s asking exactly what most of us would ask if we were in her seat. Crazy how refreshing it is. Speaks to how rare it is. https://t.co/Pt0ISn32sM
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) March 6, 2019
Watching @GayleKing here is a master class in poise and determination. She wants answers and is not swayed. I hope these women get justice. https://t.co/weD4rMhcit
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) March 6, 2019
This picture should win a #PulitzerPrize. It speaks volumes about professionalism. About anger. About control. About mansplaining. About holding your own space. @gayleking This is YOUR moment to show off your years of amazing journalism. Bravo. @CBSThisMorning #rkelly #gayleking pic.twitter.com/ZO5Hxxvp5X
— Tory Shulman (@toryshulman) March 6, 2019
Kelly was released from jail on Feb. 25 after being indicted by a grand jury on 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse against four alleged victims, Cook Country Sheriff confirmed.
The R&B singer secured his release by paying 10 percent of his $1 million bail amount.
Hours earlier, Kelly’s attorney Steven Greenberg pleaded not guilty on Kelly’s behalf, reported the Associated Press.
R. Kelly has been arrested again, this time over unpaid child support payments.
The 52-year-old R&B singer was taken into custody after Wednesday’s hearing for failing to pay ex-wife, Andrea Kelly, more than $161,000 in back child support by today’s court mandated deadline. The Kellys finalized their divorce in 2009 after 13 years of marriage. They share three children: 20-year-old Joann, otherwise known as Buku Abi; Jay, 18; and Robert Jr., who is 16.
According to Chicago Sun-Times reporter Sam Charles, Kelly will have to pay $161,663 to be released from jail. Kelly came to court purportedly prepared to set up a payment plan.