Content Warning: This article discusses sexual assault, and rape. If you or someone you know are affected by the following story, you are not alone. To speak to someone, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.

A follow-up documentary is set to focus on the events that occurred as a result of the premiere of Lifetime’s Surviving R. Kelly earlier this year.

Over the last few months, barely a day has gone by where R. Kelly’s name has been absent from the headlines. Following months of allegations of sexual and emotional abuse against the artist, it was recently revealed he had been formally charged with ten counts of criminal sex abuse.

Currently facing face up to 70 years in prison if convicted, these charges relate to Kelly’s sexual interactions with victims aged between 13 and 16, with the first records of his alleged abuse commencing in 1996.

However, most of these newfound legal troubles came to light following the premiere of Lifetime’s Surviving R. Kelly documentary back in January.

The documentary provides an in-depth look at the accusations made against the controversial artist, including such claims that he has had sex with underage girls, has physically abused numerous women, and even ran a “sex cult” from his Chicago home.

Incidentally, the documentary also featured interviews with a number of people who had worked with R. Kelly, including Chance The Rapper, who explained that their 2015 collaboration was “a mistake”.

Now, despite Kelly revealing plans to “sue everyone” involved in the Surviving R. Kelly documentary, Lifetime are set to air a new production examining the events of the last few months.

Titled Surviving R. Kelly: The Impact, journalist Soledad O’Brien is set to take a look into the initial documentary, discussing the effects it has had “on our culture globally, how it has elevated the conversation on sexual violence and what it means to be a survivor.”

The Impact will also feature a number of interviews with psychologists, legal experts, and journalists, alongside a look at R. Kelly’s now-infamous interview with Gayle King, which saw the artist react in an explosive outburst.

The documentary is set to air in America on Saturday, May 4th, though there’s no word yet as to when Aussies will be able to watch the new presentation.

In related news, TMZ have reported that R. Kelly’s lawyers are trying to appeal the rapper’s recent missed appearance in court, explaining that a learning disability made him unaware of the proceedings.

While Kelly reportedly missed a court date last week due to being “overwhelmed”, lawyers say that he should not have been served papers because of his inability to understand them.

The documents note that R. Kelly “suffers from a learning disability that adversely affects his ability to read,” explaining that “in essence he cannot.”

At this stage, it’s unclear how effective this defence will be against a judge, but lawyers are asking for the case to be vacated so that they can effectively have a do-over with a properly mounted defence team.

Check out the Surviving R. Kelly: The Impact trailer:

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