Podcast Hosts Defend Interview: ‘When R. Kelly Calls, You Answer’

April Smith and Patricia Dillard, the hosts of the podcast the place convicted singer R. Kelly belted out just a few of his tunes, have defended their interview with him.

Kelly made a uncommon podcast look on Smith and Dillard’s podcast and revealed he has written 25 albums whereas in jail.

Nonetheless, a number of followers expressed displeasure at Kelly’s revelation that he was engaged on new music and questioned why the podcast hosts gave him an viewers.

Smith and Dillard knew that posting their interview with R. Kelly on their “Intimate Tea with A&P” podcast might get them dragged on the web.

Nonetheless, they went forward to take action and do not appear to remorse their actions regardless of getting backlash.

The duo spoke to TMZ amid the excitement their interview with Kelly was producing and revealed that it occurred by chance.

They stated they have been interviewing one other inmate who advised them he was in the identical jail because the disgraced R&B singer. The inmate then discovered a approach to get Kelly on the road.

Smith and Dillard shared that they did not have an issue with the interview going forward as a result of they did not talk about Kelly’s case with him.

The incarcerated singer is topic to a gag order whereas interesting his conviction on a number of fees, together with compelled labor, sexual exploitation of a minor, and violations of the Mann Act.

Whereas not everybody would have been snug interviewing R. Kelly from jail, the podcast hosts defined why they have been fantastic with it.

Dillard stated, “We’re simply 2 people who’re in a position to separate the artwork from the artist.”

In addition they revealed that the responses to the interview had been combined, which did not shock them, contemplating that many individuals had canceled Kelly following his conviction. Nonetheless, they stated, “When R. Kelly calls, you reply.”

Smith and Dillard additionally famous that they launched their podcast as a result of they wished to work on jail reform.

The podcast hosts normally converse to non-famous inmates, and their conversations are largely about jail circumstances. Nonetheless, they received fortunate when Kelly grew to become a visitor on their present.

Throughout his interview with Smith and Dillard, Kelly shared his ardour for music by singing snippets from his hit songs, “When a Girl’s Fed Up,” and “Step within the Identify of Love.”

The 58-year-old shared that his love for music hasn’t waned and described singing as “a gorgeous illness that is incurable.”

Along with writing 25 albums in jail, Kelly shared that he’s centered on regaining his freedom however was being affected person whereas doing so.

Kelly’s efforts to regain his freedom suffered a setback in February after a federal attraction courtroom upheld his racketeering convictions and three-decade sentence.

Nonetheless, regardless of the ruling, his lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, stated the singer is hopeful and resilient and can preserve combating for his freedom and justice.

After clips of R. Kelly’s podcast interview went viral, a number of netizens shared their ideas about his eagerness to launch new albums from jail.

A lot of those that reacted to the interview questioned why he was given an viewers.

One X person wrote, “Why give him an viewers? Nobody needs to listen to a pedo sing.”

A second individual expressed shock that Kelly might do a podcast interview from jail, whereas a 3rd commenter wrote, “Why are we interviewing him precisely? Why are ladies smiling whereas interviewing HIM precisely?”

A fourth individual added, “Who’re the 2 losers to out him on a podcast! Like anybody cares that he is engaged on new music! All his music was about intercourse sooooooo.”

In the course of the “SNL” fiftieth anniversary particular, there was an “In Memoriam” section that spotlighted a number of the present’s most notorious previous company.

The listing included Kelly, O. J. Simpson, Jared Fogle, and Robert Blake, who had all made the headlines for the flawed causes.

Nonetheless, Kelly’s lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, slammed the present, suggesting that some names that might be deemed extra “problematic” have been omitted. Bonjean advised TMZ, “Moderately boastful that SNL sees it as their job to determine, belatedly, who ought to and shouldn’t be canceled.”