In February, R. Kelly was charged with 10 counts of felony criminal sexual abuse against four women, three of which were minors. The disgraced Chicago singer turned himself into the police, and the alleged abuser was forced to hand over his passport. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Kelly is seeking permission to fly to Dubai for a series of concerts, despite forfeiting his passport to the authorities last month.
R. Kelly currently isn't allowed to leave the state of Illinois following a bond hearing he had last month, but his lawyer Steve Greenberg confirmed with the Chicago paper today that he's filing a motion for his travel request on a hearing on Friday. Greenberg has said that a copy of the request was handed to prosecutors earlier this week, detailing what his potential travel arrangements would be.
When the #MuteRKelly movement ramped up after Surviving R. Kelly aired, it pretty much guaranteed that he wouldn't get a show in the United States. However, he's already found interest in playing shows abroad, despite the countless accusations leveled against him. “He needs to be able to work like anyone else who is free on bond, and the law needs to be adaptable,” Greenberg explained, while also adding that he would travel with him as a "chaperone."
In February, R. Kelly announced an overseas tour in the wake of Surviving R. Kelly, promising shows in Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. But for reasons still unknown, he deleted the announcement.
It was previously reported that Kelly was struggling financially, as he was unable to pay bond following his arrest. Last week he filed a request to avoid paying $161K in overdue child support, although the judge refused to alter the amount he owed.
R. Kelly has mostly been silent online during this whole situation, but he posted on Instagram for the first time since Jan. 1 on Tuesday evening. In a brief video, he sings happy birthday to his estranged daughter Joann Kelly. For very obvious reasons, comments are disabled.
"Happy birthday baby. Daddy loves you. I love you so much no matter what," Kelly said after singing.
