Six survivors featured in the “Surviving R. Kelly” documentary are still fighting for justice, claiming they are owed more than $9.9 million from a $10.3 million judgment awarded in 2022 against disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly.
Survivors Take Legal Action
Lizette Martinez, Lisa Van Allen, Kelly Rodgers, Faith Rodgers, Roderick Gartell, and Gem Pratts—all of whom shared their stories in the groundbreaking Lifetime documentary—have now filed a lawsuit to collect the remaining funds.
According to court documents submitted in Manhattan Supreme Court, the plaintiffs have received only two payments totaling less than $500,000. Their new lawsuit names R. Kelly, his former manager Donnell Russell, Universal Music, Universal Music-Z Tunes (the label’s publishing arm), and the independent artist revenue-sharing platform IndyBuild.
Both Kelly and Russell, who are currently incarcerated, are accused of obstructing payments.
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Universal Music’s Role in the Lawsuit
The lawsuit claims that Universal Music—despite ending its co-publishing agreement with R. Kelly in 2019—is still contractually obligated to collect and distribute publishing royalties. The plaintiffs argue that these funds should be allocated directly to them.
Court Orders and Unpaid Compensation
In August 2023, a court ordered R. Kelly to pay:
- $5.1 million in compensatory damages
- $4.5 million in punitive damages
- An additional $2,450.30 per day in accrued interest
However, the survivors are still waiting for the bulk of their compensation to be delivered.
R. Kelly’s Downfall and Legal Convictions
Once a towering figure in R&B, R. Kelly maintained a loyal fan base even as allegations of abuse surfaced in the 1990s. He was acquitted of child pornography charges in 2008, but legal troubles escalated over the years.
Today, R. Kelly is serving a 31-year prison sentence:
- 30 years for sex trafficking and racketeering in a 2022 federal case (New York)
- 1 additional year for child pornography and enticement of minors in a Chicago case
The Impact of ‘Surviving R. Kelly’
Premiering in January 2019, “Surviving R. Kelly”—directed by Dream Hampton—exposed decades of sexual, emotional, and physical abuse allegations against the singer. The documentary featured firsthand testimonies from survivors, former associates, and journalists, reigniting public outrage and leading to renewed legal scrutiny of R. Kelly.
The documentary’s impact was significant, sparking the #MuteRKelly movement, which called for boycotts of his music. It also played a key role in influencing his eventual criminal convictions.
As the survivors continue their legal battle, the fight for justice remains ongoing. With millions still unpaid, they seek to ensure full accountability and proper restitution for the trauma they endured.
