*As sexual assault allegations pile up against him, R Kelly has decided to take his act overseas, sparking “serious concerns” after confirming plans to tour Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
The tour, which was confirmed on social media (in a tweet that was later deleted), comes in the wake of the controversial “Surviving R Kelly” documentary which details allegations that the R&B hitmaker has sexually and physically abused women over several decades. Kelly continues to deny any and all abuses leveled against him and has so far faced no criminal convictions.
Meanwhile, the FBI and other authorities are said to be currently investigating the claims that Kelly ran a sex cult where he abused women. The singer’s label, Sony, dropped him as the outrage against him intensifies.
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I’m happy R. Kelly just announced his tour, I can’t wait to call these venues, booking agents & promoters & get shows cancelled.#MuteRKelly isn’t just for this country, you’ll be muted in Australia, New England & Sri Lanka too. @DreamzFlamingo are the promoters! @RKelly pic.twitter.com/b9YvFCKzbR
— Jerome Trammel (@MrJeromeTrammel) February 5, 2019
In a statement, Australia’s shadow minister for immigration and border protection, Shayne Neumann, noted that the opposition Labor party would be “seriously concerned” if Kelly was allowed to perform in the country, per nme.com.
“Labor strongly supports the refusal or cancellation of visas of non-citizens on character or criminal grounds … Labor would be seriously concerned if immigration minister David Coleman would allow an individual such as R Kelly into Australia,” said Neumann.
“If the immigration minister suspects that a non-citizen does not pass the character test, or there is a risk to the community while they are in Australia, he should use the powers he has under the Migration Act to deny or cancel their visa.”
A spokesperson for Australia’s home affairs department added: “All non-citizens entering Australia must meet, and continue to meet, the character requirements set out in the Migration Act 1958 (the Act). There are strong provisions under the Act to refuse or cancel a visa where a person is found not to be of good character.”
R. Kelly is due to perform two shows in Germany in April.
A petition to stop the shows has so far received over 40,000 signatures.
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