Lifetime reveals that 'several anonymous threats were called in' during the New York City screening for the docuseries.
- Dec 5, 2018
AceShowbiz - Tuesday, December 4 should be when people enjoyed watching a premiere screening of Lifetime's forthcoming documentary series "Surviving R. Kelly" in New York City. However, the event was forced to be evacuated following a phoned-in gun threat.
The network revealed that "several anonymous threats were called in." Although no one was hurt during the gun-scare, theater management at NeueHouse Madison Square decided to evacuate the building to prevent the worst scenario, according to NYPD spokesperson.
It was reported that the unidentified caller threated that someone inside the theater would start shooting if they insisted to continue playing the film. "As a precaution, the network chose to evacuate the building. The safety and security of our panel, guests and staff is of paramount importance to Lifetime," said Lifetime.
"Tonight's all about the safety of everyone--we're not even thinking of what to do next yet," added the network.
Among the attendees were #MeToo founder Tarana Burke, #OscarsSoWhite creator April Reign, and several women who have accused singer R. Kelly of predatory, abusive and controlling behavior over the years. April took to Twitter to share the story, writing, "I'm at a screening for Surviving R Kelly. And a threat was called in. The police are here and we had to evacuate. #MuteRKelly #SurvivingRKelly."
I’m at a screening for Surviving R Kelly. And a threat was called in. The police are here and we had to evacuate. #MuteRKelly#SurvivingRKellypic.twitter.com/4Jtyja5DQN
— April (@ReignOfApril) December 5, 2018
She assured that "everyone is physically safe," adding, "The screening was abruptly ended & will be rescheduled, perhaps. There were survivors of R Kelly in the room, who I'm sure were emotionally affected more than the rest of us. #SurvivingRKelly #MuteRKelly."
Thank you to @joshuadubois, Brie Miranda Bryant, and the ?@lifetimetv team for handling a potentially dangerous situation with grace and expediency. Survivors will NOT be silenced. This story WILL be told. #SurvivingRKelly#MuteRKellypic.twitter.com/5CNsF3g8gC
— April (@ReignOfApril) December 5, 2018
Another Twitter user shared a video of the sudden evacuation, featuring a slew of people stranded outside the building.
The #SurvivingRKelly premiere was just evacuated because we received a threat. The survivors were whisked away. I have the full video on IG and I'm gonna post clips in this thread
— ♈️☀️~Femme~🌙♌️ (@FeministaJones) December 5, 2018
Here with @JamilahLemieux@TaranaBurke and more pic.twitter.com/TXS3ANNVHz
A three-part docuseries, "Surviving R. Kelly" follows a number of accusations that have been made against Kelly in the last few years. It includes an allegetion which said that the singer recruited very young women into his entourage before increasing levels of control over their diets, their abilities to communicate with the outside world and controlling every aspect of their lives.
"Surviving R. Kelly" is set to debut on Lifetime on January 2, 2019.
