“R. Kelly is going to prison. Why did it take so long?”
Although R. Kelly has been a known predator toward women, especially young girls, for decades, he is only now being forced to face any repercussions for his actions. These circumstances inevitably beg the question as to why it took decades for Kelly’s actions to send him to prison. This article attempts to answer that question, offering Kelly’s blackmail and intimidation efforts, financial settlements, and his network of supporters as explanations. Ultimately, the various reasonings outlined in this article accumulate into an abuse of power, as Kelly wielded his wealth and celebrity status as weapons against the women and girls he exploited.