Disgraced R&B icon R. Kelly appeared at a Springfield, Illinois club Sunday—but fans, who paid $50-$100 to see him, only got a 28-second performance and a half-hour meet and greet, The Associated Press reports. In an Instagram video announcing the event, Kelly said that “I want the media to take it easy on me,” because “this is how I’ve got to get paid now.” The event comes after Kelly, 52, has faced a litany of sexual assault and sexual abuse allegations, and was indicted in February on 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. He pleaded not guilty—but since his arrest, the singer has lost concert bookings and a record contract, and has reportedly struggled to pay child support bills and legal fees.
