Washington: Lady Gaga has apologised for working with R&B singer R. Kelly, who has long been accused of sexual misconduct and abuse.
In a lengthy social media post, the 32-year-old – who collaborated with Kelly in 2013 recording duet ‘Do What U Want (With My Body)’ – expressed her solidarity with the alleged victims.
Gaga also revealed her plans to remove their single from streaming services.
“I stand behind these women 1000%, believe them, know they are suffering and in pain, and feel strongly that their voices should be heard and taken seriously,” she began the post. “What I am hearing about the allegations against R Kelly is absolutely horrifying and indefensible.”
The ‘A Star is Born’ actor further said, “As a victim of sexual assault myself, I made both the song and video at a dark time in my life, my intention was to create something extremely defiant and provocative because I was angry and still hadn’t processed the trauma that had occurred in my own life.”
“The song is called ‘Do What U Want (With My Body)’, I think it’s clear how explicitly twisted my thinking was at the time,” Gaga added.
“If I could go back and have a talk with my younger self I’d tell her to go through the therapy I have since then, so that I could understand the confused post-traumatic state that I was in – or if therapy was not available to me or anyone in my situation – to seek help, and speak as openly and honestly as possible about what we’ve been through,” she explained.
“I can’t go back, but I can go forward and continue to support women, men and people of all sexual identities, and of all races, who are victims of sexual assault,” she went on to add.
Gaga, who shared the statement on Twitter, captioned it as, “I stand by anyone who has ever been the victim of sexual assault.”
The accusations against the 52-year-old have resurfaced in the wake of a recent documentary series that chronicles allegations of abuse, predatory behaviour and paedophilia against the ‘I Admit’ singer.
Gaga – who had at one point during her career defended her 2013 collaboration with the American singer-songwriter – was being pressured into taking a stand against him following the recent allegations.
[source_without_link]ANI[/source_without_link]