Taraji P. Henson is responding to fans who accused her of defending R. Kelly.
The controversy first started when the actress took to her Instagram Stories Tuesday to share a video of herself searching for the #MuteRKelly hashtag, a viral campaign in response to the sexual abuse allegations against Kelly.
Henson then typed in “#MuteHarveyWeinstein” to seemingly prove that the hashtag isn’t as popular as #MuteRKelly.
The Empire actress posted a thinking emoji next to the caption “hmm” in response to the results, a sentiment that inspired widespread backlash.
I recorded in case she deletes. But girl. Is Weinstein making music? I know she's smarter than this pic.twitter.com/7DGyQfDwAk
— Gojo's baby mama (@aprettyPR) January 22, 2019
After countless fans took her to task for the comparison, including Surviving R. Kelly producer Dream Hampton, Henson later tweeted: “LET ME BE CLEAR R. KELLY IS GUILTY AND WRONG AND SHOULD BE MUTED PERIOD!!!!!”
LET ME BE CLEAR R. KELLY IS GUILTY AND WRONG AND SHOULD BE MUTED PERIOD!!!!! ???
— Taraji P. Henson (@tarajiphenson) January 22, 2019
Read More: Protesters Demand RCA Records #MuteRKelly: ‘Do The Right Thing’
It seems, however, that the 48-year-old author’s defense might have fallen on deaf ears.
Hampton, for instance, spent the afternoon poking holes in Henson’s comparison. She noted that Weinstein — who first was accused of sexually abusing dozens of women in October 2017 — will face trial for rape.
Hampton also pointed out that multiple documentaries have addressed Weinstein’s alleged crimes.
“No idea why Taraji Henson wouldn’t know that there are not one, but two projects abt Harvey Weinstein,” the producer tweeted. “But this is an oft-invoked deflection.”
She continued: “While I care abt the Hollywood stars Weinstein abused, I care more abt Asante, Kitty, Jerhona, Lisette, Azriel & Joy & others, even more.”
No idea why Taraji Henson wouldn't know that there are not one, but two projects abt Harvey Weinstein. But this is an oft-invoked deflection. While I care abt the Hollywood stars Weinstein abused, I care more abt Asante, Kitty, Jerhona, Lisette, Azriel & Joy & others, even more.
— dream hampton (@dreamhampton) January 22, 2019
“Plus Weinstein is on trial. For rape,” Hampton added.
Plus Weinstein is on trial. For rape.
— dream hampton (@dreamhampton) January 22, 2019
Hampton then accused Henson of faking concern about Weinstein, writing: “Plus, you don’t really care about Weinstein, you just want silence around R. Kelly. Taraji, like me, is from the generation whose job it was to deal with R. Kelly 20 years ago. We didn’t and countless girls were harmed because of our inaction. So I made #SurvivingRKelly.”
Plus, you don't really care about Weinstein, you just want silence around R. Kelly. Taraji, like me, is from the generation whose job it was to deal with R. Kelly 20 years ago. We didn't and countless girls were harmed because of our inaction. So I made #SurvivingRKellly
— dream hampton (@dreamhampton) January 22, 2019
Other Twitter users took Henson to task, with one person writing: “What people like little Ms.Taraji P Henson fail to realize is that no one really sided with Weinstein when the allegations came out. We started a mute movement for R. Kelly because so many people like her are defending him.”
What people like little Ms.Taraji P Henson fail to realize is that no one really sided with Weinstein when the allegations came out. We started a mute movement for R. Kelly because so many people like her are defending him. pic.twitter.com/ypg9S3Fmyg
— Honest Brotha (@TheImperfectLeo) January 22, 2019
One person said they no longer intend to see the entertainer’s upcoming movie, What Men Want.
“I will not spend my hard earned money to support Erykah Badu and Taraji P. Henson in “What Men Want” after their responses to R. Kelly documentary,” they said. “Instead, I’ll donate those funds to support a victims rights group.”
I will not spend my hard earned money to support Erykah Badu and Taraji P. Henson in "What Men Want" after their responses to R. Kelly documentary. Instead, I'll donate those funds to support a victims rights group. #MuteRKelly #WhatMenWant #SurvivingRKelly
— Pet Wisdom for Life (@SDWisdom) January 22, 2019
“Erykah Badu reduced R.Kelly’s crimes to ‘poor choices.’ Taraji P. Henson made a false equivalency between him and Harvey Weinstein,” someone else argued. “The aunties are really exposing their internalized misogynoir, and I can’t deal. Black girls deserve better.”
Erykah Badu reduced R.Kelly's crimes to "poor choices". Taraji P. Henson made a false equivalency between him and Harvey Weinstein. The aunties are really exposing their internalized misogynoir, and I can't deal. Black girls deserve better.
— DeAsia Paige (@deasia_paige) January 22, 2019
Henson hasn’t released any additional statements about the matter.
