Entertainment
Lady Gaga has removed her collaboration with R Kelly from streaming services following the slew of sexual abuse allegations made against the rapper.
The singer, songwriter-cum-actress, issued a statement of support on Twitter. "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 wrote, before announcing that she was working to remove the 2013 single, Do What U Want (With My Body) - that she collaborated with Kelly on for her album ARTPOP - from all streaming services.
"I think it’s clear how explicitly twisted my thinking was at the time,” she wrote of the song, referencing her own sexual assault at the age of 19;
"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. What I am hearing about the allegations against R Kelly is absolutely horrifying and indefensible.
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."
"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 continued.
"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. I have demonstrated my stance on this issue and others many times throughout my career.
I share this not to make excuses for myself, but to explain. Til it happens to you, you don't know how it feels. But I do know how I feel now.
I intend to remove this song off of iTunes and other streaming platforms and will not be working with him again. I'm sorry, both for my poor judgment when I was young, and for not speaking out sooner. I love you."
The singer's response follows the premiere of US documentary, Surviving R Kelly, in which several women made sexual abuse allegations against the 52-year-old.
Kelly has previously denied all accusations of sexual impropriety and violence against women.
In 2008, the R&B star was found not guilty of child pornography charges after he was accused of photographing and filming sexual encounters with a 14-year-old girl.