By Paul Joseph
American spiritual adviser and television personality Iyanla Vanzant has apologised to jailed R&B singer R. Kelly, saying she and other elders in the Black community failed to acknowledge his pain and offer him support.
Vanzant made the remarks during an appearance on The Jason Lee Show, where she directly addressed the disgraced singer and expressed regret over what she described as the community’s abandonment of him.
“Forgive me for ignoring your pain. Forgive me for abandoning you,” she said, adding that the wider community had also failed him.
“Our entire community abandoned him… As an elder, I’m going to own it,” she stated.
Vanzant, whose birth name is Rhonda Harris, adopted her professional name from the Yoruba expression “Iya nla,” meaning “great mother,” reflecting the African spiritual influences associated with her work.
Her comments have triggered criticism, particularly from those who argue that the singer’s criminal convictions and the experiences of his victims should remain central to discussions about his case.
Kelly is serving a 31-year prison sentence following his conviction in a federal racketeering and sex-trafficking case involving the sexual exploitation of women and underage girls.
Critics have also pointed out that Black women and other survivors spoke publicly about allegations against the singer for years, often facing significant personal and professional consequences.
The backlash has centred on concerns that expressions of sympathy for Kelly could overshadow the experiences of his victims and the long-standing efforts of those who sought to expose his abuse.
Vanzant’s remarks have consequently reignited debate over accountability, community responsibility and the need to acknowledge survivors when discussing high-profile cases of sexual exploitation.
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