Nick Cannon Apologizes for Working With R. Kelly, ‘Will No Longer Be Silent’ About Abuse

"For far too long we have treated women like second class citizens, when in actuality they are the source, our core, and the Superior beings," Cannon wrote.

Nick Cannon apology
Image via Getty/Michael Loccisano
Nick Cannon apology

Nick Cannon is joining the train of former R. Kelly collaborators apologizing for working with the documented predator.

Cannon went on Instagram to write out a formal apology to women for turning a blind eye when collaborating on the 2003 hit "Gigolo."

“After much self reflection and meditation, I have to be one the first to admit that in my past I’ve DEFINITELY turned a blind eye to a lot of darkness in this industry,” he wrote. He went on to say, "I have personally witnessed it and will no longer be silent about it. It’s not dry snitching, it’s a paradigm shift."

Cannon is preceded by Omarion, Common, Chance the Rapper, and recently Lady Gaga, who have all apologized for working with the singer. R. Kelly’s history of abusive behavior against young and underaged black girls has long, long been an open secret in the music industry, but with the six-part Lifetime series Surviving R. Kelly, his several decades of abuse is being pushed back into the spotlight.

Other artists, notably Bun B, John Legend, and others have also called out Kelly and anyone who supports him. But Cannon’s apology really gets to the heart of the issue, which is how little we as a society care about the safety of black women and girls. Cannon writes that he "realized that the REAL issue at hand is the ultimate lack of care and disrespect for our QUEENS.”

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"I will be one of the first to say on behalf of all men I am Sorry,” he continued. “Please consider me as someone to be an advocate, ally and student that needs guidance in an industry that was designed to take advantage of women.”

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