Stressing that he was not fired over his CBS interview, Darrell Johnson expresses his belief that the 'I Believe I Can Fly' hitmaker will be cleared from the child sexual exploitation charges.
- July 25, 2019
AceShowbiz - R. Kelly's crisis manager Darrell Johnson has insisted he wasn't fired for calling the singer a "paedophile".
Johnson stepped down from his role as Kelly's crisis manager on Monday (July 22), after telling "CBS This Morning" co-host Gayle King: "I would not leave my daughter with anyone that's accused of being a pedophile."
While he later clarified he meant to say, "I would leave my daughter with Kelly because I do not believe he is a pedophile," it has been speculated his comments led to him being removed from the disgraced star's inner circle.
But speaking to TMZ.com, Johnson explained why he chose to step down from his role, commenting: "I decided at this particular time it was best to step away. One of my family members is on their death bed right now, and I'm gonna go and tend to that."
Johnson also insisted there are no hard feelings over his CBS interview, but insisted he was edited to look bad.
"I think when you do a taped interview it can be chopped up," he added. "My words were my words, and I pulled back. If I had to do it again I would 1000 per cent leave my daughter - and this is not what (stepping down from the role) is about - with Mr Kelly."
He also reiterated his belief the "I Believe I Can Fly" star is innocent, stating: "The first time, he was acquitted. The second time, in 2008, he was acquitted."
"I don't want to get too much into the case, but I can tell you point blank... I believe he will be acquitted again. That's what I believe".
In July the troubled R&B star was indicted in federal courts in New York and Chicago on charges including; child sexual exploitation, child pornography production, kidnapping, and racketeering.
