Did R. Kelly Make an Appearance on 'The Voice'? The Truth Behind the Rumor
Before his arrest, R. Kelly was a major player in the music industry. But did he ever show up on The Voice? Here's the real story behind the rumors.
By D.M.Sept. 30 2024, Published 12:46 p.m. ET
The Voice has featured a rotating cast of popular musicians as coaches, that help guide aspiring singers through the competition. Since its premiere in 2011, the NBC reality show has featured a star-studded lineup of musicians to serve as mentors.
R&B legend Usher has been both a coach and a mentor on The Voice. His first mentoring appearance came in Season 4, and he later joined the show fulltime. Snoop Dogg stepped in as a Mega Mentor for Season 20.
The rapper brought his laid-back style and industry knowledge, helping contestants find their flow during the intense Knockout Rounds. Pharrell Williams, another Voice coach, also served as a mentor in multiple seasons.
However, some are wondering if embattled hitmaker R. Kelly has ever appeared on the show. Prior to his arrest and conviction, Kelly was a beloved performer and mainstay in Hollywood. Here’s what we know about Kelly’s connection to The Voice, or lack thereof.
Was R. Kelly ever in an episode of ‘The Voice?’
With The Voice bringing in big-name stars as coaches and mentors over the years, it’s natural to wonder if R. Kelly ever made an appearance on the hit show. Despite his long career in the music industry, the controversial R&B singer never showed up as a coach, mentor, or guest performer on The Voice.
Kelly was a major figure in R&B during the '90s and early 2000s. However, as The Voice rose to popularity, the Grammy-winner was already facing serious legal trouble and allegations. While many prominent R&B and pop stars, like Usher, Alicia Keys, and John Legend, have graced The Voice as coaches or mentors, Kelly was never part of the lineup.
His legal issues, which eventually led to his conviction on charges related to sexual abuse, likely kept him from appearing on shows like The Voice.
R. Kelly will be in prison for a very long time.
In February 2023, the “Trapped in the Closet” singer was sentenced to 30 years in prison after being convicted on federal charges, including racketeering and sex trafficking. Additionally, a separate conviction in Chicago for child pornography and enticement of minors led to a 20-year sentence.
However, most of these sentences will run concurrently, meaning Kelly will likely serve around 31 years in total. Given that he’s in his mid-50s now, he may not be released until his late 80s.
Kelly’s legal team hasn’t given up, though. He’s been working on appeals, trying to challenge the convictions. His attorneys have argued that he didn’t get a fair trial, claiming everything from biased jurors to issues with evidence. So far, his attempts to overturn the convictions haven’t succeeded.
The singer has since taken his battle to the Supreme Court. Per The Hill, Kelly filed an additional appeal after his attempts in the lower courts were rejected. In his appeal to the court, his attorneys argue that he was unfairly prosecuted under a federal law that shouldn't apply to his actions from the 1990s and 2000s.
