An allegedly “fake” Australian tour from disgraced singer R. Kelly has been cancelled by promoters, due to “controversy surrounding him”.
Little-known promoter Big Music Tour defended its decision to announce an R. Kelly tour in December, despite the musician facing multiple allegations of sexual abuse.
R. Kelly later distanced himself from the announcement, and declared the tour to be “fake”.
Now, following the airing of new allegations in Lifetime’s six-part documentary series ‘Surviving R. Kelly’, Big Music Tour has officially cancelled the tour.
In a statement to Fairfax Media, Big Music Tour said “contracts were in place with R. Kelly and his management for the Australian tour”.
“We have been in discussion regarding the bizarre social media post denying the tour and had been working towards a resolution,” the company said.
“However, given the current situation in R. Kelly’s personal life and the controversy surrounding him, the promoters have decided not to move forward and are focusing on other events.”
No tickets were reportedly sold for the tour, despite an advertised on-sale date of 17th December.
In a statement to Music Feeds back in December, Big Music Tour said its focus was on Kelly’s “incredible music”, and not the allegations against him.
“Mr Kelly was cleared of all allegations and in our view, you are innocent until proven guilty,” the promoter said.
Since the airing of ‘Surviving R. Kelly’, the singer has reportedly become the subject of a criminal investigation. Lady Gaga has also removed her collaboration with Kelly from streaming services.
R. Kelly has denied all of the allegations against him, including running an “abusive sex cult” and imprisoning women in his homes.
