The Surviving R. Kelly docuseries has reignited outrage towards the infamous singer in relation to a multitude of sexual abuse allegations. One of the most high-profile situations explored in the production concerns a young Aaliyah, who is said to have been married illegally to Kelly. Other industry figures were also attracted to the underage singer. Timbaland revealed his falling in love with the young star during an interview in 2011. His little confession is now being recontextualized in the current socio-political climate that generally has no tolerance for predatory behavior.
In the clip below, Timbaland recalls his romantic feelings for Aaliyah. “When I first met Aaliyah — it’s time for the world to hear this, I’m gonna give a little secret — I was in love with her,” Timbaland admits. He then goes on to specify that he never acted on these feelings and maintained the platonic nature of their relationship intact. “I said, ‘She [is] just a baby, I’m old. I’m just gonna be her brother. Oh man, I was fightin’, I was fightin’ a lot — a big war. But I loved Aaliyah.”
He even married based on his infatuation with the “Age Ain’t Nothin’ But A Number” singer: “When I first saw her I said, ‘That’s the girl I’mma marry’ because she reminded me of Aaliyah.”
Timbaland on seeing a woman, he knew he was going to make his wife, because she looked like Aaliyah.
(In this same documentary, despite Aaliyah being 16, he confessed to being in love with her when they first met… he was 23) pic.twitter.com/dIaqVkckRI
— Jerome Trammel (@MrJeromeTrammel) January 4, 2019
Aaliyah was 12 when she met R. Kelly & passed away at 22. So in a 10 year span:
She signed a shady record deal with her uncle Barry (Blackground Records) was molested, pregnant & married R. Kelly at 15 & then passes at 22.
Her family feels that guilt. Tragic. #SurvivingRKelly
— Jerome Trammel (@MrJeromeTrammel) January 4, 2019
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