R. Kelly Walks Off HuffPost Live (In Search Of McDonald's) After Interview Gets Tough
R. Kelly is a well-known R&B artist who first came to fame in the 1990s but might be better known for his over-the-top behavior and history of sexual assault and relationships with minor girls.
R. Kelly pictured leaving Cook County Criminal Court Building in June 2008 after a jury found him not guilty on all counts in his child pornography trial.
(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
So it's pretty much expected that HuffPost Live host Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani might ask him some tough and maybe uncomfortable questions when she interviewed him about his new album The Buffet on Monday.
Modarressy-Tehrani began by throwing him some softball questions, asking about his album, how he has managed to keep a strong fan base over the years and how free downloading has changed the music industry. Kelly looks pleased.
But things take a turn about six minutes into the interview when Modarressy-Tehrani asks about a fan who tweeted their conflicted feelings about loving Kelly's music, but not loving him as a person. Kelly is not pleased.
"I say fuck that," he said. "I say I have a lot of fans around the world that love R. Kelly and I'm glad that they don't feel the way she do. God bless her, but you can't satisfy everybody."
Modarressy-Tehrani presses him a bit more and asks specifically how he feels about fans who are conflicted about the allegations against him regarding sexual relationships with minors. Kelly dodges the question.
"Well since you're the one that brought it up, I'll just say it to you because I don't hear from anyone else," he said. "You hear a few rumors here and there but as far as me to you, I would say, again, fuck that. I am a man that believes what I see everywhere I go from malls to restaurants to tours, sold out tours, to overseas and back, I get nothing but love. Now unless all those people are tricking me and acting when they see me coming in a concert, someone behind me saying everybody scream we love you..."
"So well..." she said.
"No I'm not finished," he said, "You cannot agree with something until I finish. So let me finish."
He continued to say that unless he gets criticism or conflicting feelings while he's on stage, which he called his office, then he will continue to ignore any other suggestions that fans might be conflicted.
Kelly's temper appears to escalate throughout the interview. He kept speaking over Modarressy-Tehrani and rambling about how successful he is, his sold out concerts and refused to hear any more critical tweets from fans.
About 13 minutes into the interview he said, "If any other negative things come at me out of your mouth as far as negativity, I’m going to get up and I'm going to walk out and I’m going to go to McDonald’s, hopefully the McRib is out."
He then said he will fly back to Chicago, play some basketball and then get into the studio to work on a Christmas album slated to come out next year.
Modarressy-Tehrani held it down like a pro. She challenged Kelly's accusations that her questions were negative and rejected his comments on her appearance and intelligence.
Just after 17 minutes into the interview, Kelly says "This interview is over" and walks out.
"Thank you so much. You're so beautiful," he said.
"You don't have to comment on my appearance, sir," said Modarressy-Tehrani as he walked out.
Watch the whole spectacle here: