Trigger Warning: This article contains potentially triggering subject matter, including sexual assault and rape. Please refrain from reading if you are sensitive to such material.

With the rising support of #MeToo, a movement created to support survivors and their stories against sexual violence, it has been a long-time discussion that has run circles around the entertainment industry. Can you separate the art from the artist? With many people having varying opinions, others often feel conflicted about who’s right or wrong. So let’s break it down.

Music, books, movies and other creative artworks have always been credited with bringing people together, helping them through a tough time or just putting a smile on one’s face but what happens when the artist themselves are a complete detriment to society?

Now there are two people in the world, people who can support one’s art and not have any feelings towards the artist and people who can’t help but think of every despicable thing the artist has done. So what side do you stand with?

Let’s take, for example, Robert Kelly. Known famously as R. Kelly, Kelly is a producer, songwriter and musician who first entered the music industry as a singer back in the early 90’s. He has accumulated 13 top ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100 with famed songs such as “Ignition”, “I Believe I Can Fly” and “Bump n Grind” which climbed to hit number one on the charts. He also established himself as a famed producer and songwriter for other artists such as Michael Jackson, Aaliyah, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and Mariah Carey just to name a few.

Throughout his career, he has sold 40 million albums worldwide, won three Grammy awards and been crowned by the general public as “The King of R&B”. Fast-forward to 2024, Robert Kelly is currently facing a 30-year prison sentence on charges of producing child sexual abuse images and charges of enticement of minors for sex.

So what does that mean for the aunties and grandmas who still want to play his music at the cookout, are they morally wrong? Here’s the answer: yes and no.

It’s completely understandable for people who grew up listening to him to have a connection with his music and I don’t fault them for that. Some people still listen to his music which doesn’t enable or justify his crimes. They just like his music. Nothing more. Nothing less. Now for the diehard defenders, who want him out of jail and think he did nothing wrong, that’s a different conversation that we won’t get into.

However, there are some people who when they listen to his music, can’t help but think of all the crimes he did especially since a good portion of his music did have a sexual connotation to them. But not all people think like that, some can separate the art from the artist. It’s just a mindset thing. As people, we all think differently. Now what I think is not okay is to shame someone about what they feel. Let’s say there are two people in a car and one wants to play his song and one doesn’t. I don’t think it is ever okay to shame the non-R. Kelly supporters into thinking that they are immature or silly for their choice. It might be a trigger to someone and it’s always important to be wary of others feelings, especially in regards to such heinous crimes.

Let’s use another example, shall we? Harvey Weinstein was once known as a legendary film producer known for his works on critically acclaimed movies such as “Sex, Lies and Videotape”, “The Crying Game” and “Pulp Fiction”. He has won an Academy Award, seven Tony Awards and co-founded the entertainment company Miramax which has accumulated a revenue of $96 million.

Despite his previous success, his reputation has plummeted to being a convicted rapist and being sentenced to 23 years in prison.

So should everyone just stop watching his movies? Well, it might be different from my previous example. With Kelly, he was the main contributor and the face of his work whereas with Weinstein, he worked alongside actors, writers, directors and other producers to make films so some might have more grace in supporting his work. However, the point still stands that it is 100% justifiable to want to condemn these sick people and not support their work.

It’s always been so interesting to see how different we all think but at the end of the day, it is truly your decision whether or not you want to support these celebrities turned criminals and the work they’ve produced prior. It’s all boils down to how you process things. Are you able to put their crimes to the side and enjoy their music, movies, books, etc. or will it always be in the back of your back of your head every time you try to support their art? The moral of the story is if you want to support them, then fine. Just do it in the privacy of your own home and don’t harass others who choose otherwise.