Lifetime Releases Trailer for ‘Surviving R. Kelly’ Docuseries

Surviving R. Kelly (Credit: Lifetime)

The images are harrowing and the interviews heartbreaking.

Lifetime released the trailer Monday for its upcoming docu-series, Surviving R. Kelly.

The project promises to deliver “the untold story” of the sexual abuse allegations against R&B singer R. Kelly, including claims that he ran a sex cult and abused underage African-American girls.

“There’s a difference between R. Kelly and Robert,” a woman’s voice says in the two-minute clip. “R. Kelly’s this fun, laughing, loving guy… But Robert is the devil.”

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Sparkle appears in Surviving R. Kelly (Credit: Lifetime)
Sparkle breaks down in the trailer. (Credit: Lifetime)

“He ain’t a monster by himself,” R&B singer Sparkle says in the trailer after breaking down in tears. “It took some help.”

The project includes dozens of interviews with the singer’s accusers, as well as with celebrities, including John Legend, Wendy Williams, Sparkle and #MeToo movement founder, Tarana Burke. The singer’s ex-wife, Andrea Kelly, who has previously accused him of domestic violence, also participated in the docu-series.

Kelly, one of the most successful R&B artists of all time, denied the allegations against him for years.

But that seemed to change in July, when he released a 19-minute single titled I Admit addressing the allegations.

Surviving R. Kelly will air in three installments starting on Thursday, January 3 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Lifetime.