Embattled R&B icon R. Kelly has reportedly been hospitalized following a suspected overdose while serving his prison sentence at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago.
According to early reports making rounds online, the 57-year-old singer—born Robert Sylvester Kelly—was found unconscious in his prison cell on Sunday night. Medical staff at the facility are said to have responded quickly before transferring him under heavy guard to a nearby hospital for emergency care. At this time, the specific substance involved and the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear.
Prison authorities have not yet released an official statement, and it is not known whether the alleged overdose was accidental or deliberate. However, sources familiar with Kelly’s situation suggest he had shown signs of emotional strain in recent weeks.
The news has triggered a flurry of reactions across social media. While some fans expressed concern and hoped for his recovery, others were less sympathetic, citing his past convictions on charges including sex trafficking and racketeering.
Once a towering figure in the music world, R. Kelly’s legacy has been overshadowed by years of legal battles and damning revelations, many of which were brought to light in the Surviving R. Kelly documentary series.
As investigations into the incident continue, updates are expected in the coming days from either the correctional facility or Kelly’s legal representatives.