CHICAGO (CelebrityAccess) — On Sunday, the Emirate of Dubai issued a rare statement refuting embattled R&B artist R. Kelly’s claim that he’s booked for performances in the Middle Eastern city-state.
According to the Associated Press, Dubai’s Media Office provided a statement that said: “Authorities in Dubai have not received any request for a performance by singer R. Kelly nor are there any venues that have been booked.”
They also took exception with some media report that claimed Kelly’s attorney who suggested Kelly is lined up to meet with members of Dubai’s ruling Al Maktoum family, noting that he has not been “invited by the Dubai royal family for a performance.”
Kelly was in court on Friday, asking for permission to travel to the sheikhdom for concerts, despite facing 10 charges of aggravated sexual abuse against four women, three of whom were minors at the time of the alleged offense.
Kelly’s lawyer Steven A. Greenberg responded to Dubai’s claims, telling the Associated Press: “Mr. Kelly had a signed contract with a legitimate promoter, and any information that was included in the motion to travel was from that contract. We did not say he was invited by the royal family, but the contract did provide that he would make himself available to meet with them.”
