R. Kelly Net Worth And Money After Story Claims Singer Controlled Women In Cult

“Trapped in the Closet” singer R. Kelly faced a social media firestorm Monday after an exclusive Buzzfeed News article claimed he was controlling women. It led some people to wonder how much money he has.

According to Celebrity Net Worth, the 50-year-old star has an estimated net worth of $150 million. The Chicago singer dropped out of high school so he could perform on the subway. He got his start when he appeared on “Big Break” and won the $100,000 prize. By 1991, he signed with Jive Records.

READ: R. Kelly Cult? Parents Claim The Singer Is Keeping Their Daughters: Report

He biggest hit, “I Believe I Can Fly,” topped the charts in 1995 and won three Grammy Awards. In the early 2000s, he released the hip-hop opera “Trapped in the Closet.”

Aside from his musical success, R. Kelly had questionable relationships with women. He secretly married pop singer Aaliyah in 1994 when she was 15. R Kelly was 27. The marriage was annulled the following year when her parents found out.

The story from Buzzfeed News didn’t identify the women who are in the supposed cult, but would apparently base the relationships off their music career and then it would become sexual. Eventually, he would move them to his properties and cut off their communication with the outside world. They would reportedly have to obey Kelly’s rules. They were not allowed to keep their cell phones. Instead, the singer allegedly provided them with new ones.

One mother claimed she has not seen her daughter since she moved in with Kelly Dec. 1 of last year.

“It was as if she was brainwashed. (She) looked like a prisoner — it was horrible,” she said to BuzzFeed News. “I hugged her and hugged her. But she just kept saying she’s in love and (Kelly) is the one who cares for her. I don’t know what to do. I hope that if I get her back, I can get her treatment for victims of cults. They can reprogram her. But I wish I could have stopped it from happening.”

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Kelly’s lawyer, Linda Mensch, issued a statement to Buzzfeed News about the allegations. “We can only wonder why folks would persist in defaming a great artist who loves his fans, works 24/7, and takes care of all of the people in his life,” Mensch wrote. “He works hard to become the best person and artist he can be. It is interesting that stories and tales debunked many years ago turn up when his goal is to stop the violence; put down the guns; and embrace peace and love. I suppose that is the price of fame. Like all of us, Mr. Kelly deserves a personal life. Please respect that.”

Kelly did not respond to the criticism on social media.

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