Update (January 23, 2019): Taraji P. Henson took to Twitter to explain her position on R. Kelly after she was dragged for seeming to compare the #MuteRKelly movement to the movement opposing Harvey Weinstein.
Henson deleted an Instagram story showing her searching for Kelly and Weinstein hashtags after #MuteRKelly supporters heavily criticized her. The actress also condemned Kelly’s actions on Twitter.
LET ME BE CLEAR R. KELLY IS GUILTY AND WRONG AND SHOULD BE MUTED PERIOD!!!!! :kiss::kiss::kiss:
— Taraji P. Henson (@TherealTaraji) January 22, 2019
"LET ME BE CLEAR R. KELLY IS GUILTY AND WRONG AND SHOULD BE MUTED PERIOD!!!!!" she wrote on Tuesday. Henson did not clarify why she filmed herself searching for the hashtags.
Original: Taraji P. Henson is the latest celebrity to risk her reputation by seemingly defending R. Kelly.
Henson used her Instagram story to advocate for the “Seems Like You’re Ready” singer by comparing search results for Kelly to those for movie exec Harvey Weinstein, who is also accused of sexual assault.
The What Men Want star silently searched for #muterkelly, which produced thousands of hits including 33.3K on the hashtag itself. She scrolled through the results for a few seconds before she typed in #muteweinstein, which only had one.
She then decided to search for #muteharveyweinstein’s whole name and got 29 listings. She ended the post with “hmmm” followed by a thinking emoji.
The post is still in her Instagram story, but in anticipation of a deletion, Twitter user and real MVP Bri caught the slides on screen record.
I recorded in case she deletes. But girl. Is Weinstein making music? I know she's smarter than this pic.twitter.com/7DGyQfDwAk
— Bri The Undead (@aprettyPR) January 22, 2019
Henson is being dragged on Twitter as we type.
I was feeling a way that Taraji’s career wasn’t where it should be. But after this?
Chile.
In her own words: “The universe has a way of taking care of the good people, you know what I mean?”
Bad people too, auntie. Like rape apologists ???????? https://t.co/NWwuNxIKra
— Clarkisha “Neck-Rolling Hood Rat” Kent (@IWriteAllDay_) January 22, 2019
1. Why would “Mute” apply to people who aren’t in the music industry?
2. Weinstein has several documentaries coming about his allegations.
3. Weinstein is also going to trial over his allegations.
4. Between Taraji and Erykah “What Men Want” is a no go.
pic.twitter.com/DLzvq32VKy— M’BlockU (@rodimusprime) January 22, 2019
Somebody go take Taraji phone.
— Tre'vell Anderson (@TrevellAnderson) January 22, 2019
Taraji. Taraji. I don’t understand why y’all older black folk do this every time. The “absence” of outrage in YOUR bubble, doesn’t mean it does not exist. Weinstein is literally on trial as we speak. Which is more than we’ll ever get for R. Kelly. Why the hell would you do this?
— Jenn E. Penny (@JennE_Penny) January 22, 2019
Taraji ???? first the fuck of all “muteweinstein” wouldnt be a thing because he isnt on the radio or being booked to do music. His company was taken away so he has already been taken care of career wise. Yall love having movies coming out & doing stupid shit RIGHT before.
— Sigh-er (@SireLeoLamar) January 22, 2019
While R. Kelly is lurking the streets, Weinstein is awaiting a criminal trial for sexually assaulting two women. Additionally, he lost a motion to prevent 10 women from filing a class-action lawsuit against him, reports The Hollywood Reporter. Weinstein is also searching for new representation after parting ways with defense lawyer Benjamin Brafman on January 17, according to New York Daily News.
Additionally, 201 men have lost their jobs since allegations against Weinstein propelled the #metoo movement in 2017, reports The New York Times. Forty-three percent of their replacements were women.
R. Kelly isn’t the only one being muted, Taraji.
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