R. Kelly Blocked From Performing At Ohio Music Festival Due To Protests

Singer R. Kelly has one less gig this summer after he was booted from the lineup of the Fashion Meets Music Festival in Columbus, Ohio, in the wake of complaints about his past legal troubles and sexual predator accusations.

On Monday, the Labor Day weekend festival tweeted that Kelly would no longer be participating in the event. The decision was based on complaints from people on social media as well as vendors and bands pulling out of the show because Kelly would be taking part. He was set to perform Aug. 29, the opening day of the event.

In a statement to USA Today, Kelly’s publicist said the singer regretted that some fans were let down by the change. "R. Kelly is sorry to disappoint his fans but looks forward to seeing them in the near future during one of his upcoming tours," his publicist said.

Kelly was indicted in 2002 on 21 counts of making child pornography. A jury found him not guilty of the charges in 2008, saying they were uncertain of the ages and identities of the women in the tapes though they were sure it was Kelly in the videos, reports USA Today. A series of investigative reports were published in 2000 by the Chicago Sun-Times as well. Those pieces presented Kelly as a sexual predator.

Along with the bands and vendors that shared their disapproval, rape victims also expressed their anger with Kelly being booked for the festival. Many posted messages on the festival's Facebook page, knocking the organizers' decision to feature Kelly. Festival officials at first defended the choice, but following the massive backlash, they ultimately made the decision to pull him from the show.