Ahead of its Thursday (Jan. 2) premiere, Lifetime has released a teaser clip for the “Surviving R. Kelly” series sequel, “The Reckoning.” Kelly’s ex-girlfriend and alleged victim, Domonique Gardner, and her mother appear in the trailer.
“Before Dominique met R. Kelly, she was this bubbly teenager,” her mother, Michelle Kramer, said in the video. “But after R. Kelly, she was dark. She was like a loner; she didn’t want to be bothered with nobody.”
The three-part show will feature Gardner’s first-ever television interview, which was filmed back in September. “Surviving R. Kelly II: The Reckoning” will also include testimonies from Jim DeRogatis, Damon Dash, Mathew Knowles, Tarana Burke, W. Kamau Bell and Michael Avenatti.
“‘The Reckoning’ will feature interviews from a variety of perspectives including with new survivors, supporters, psychologists and cultural and legal experts, and more insights into the ever-growing saga of the R&B singer, who is currently facing federal and state charges,” the trailer description reads. “The three-night event uncovers new stories with revealing details and explores why the voices of the girls that spoke up decades ago are only now being heard.”
The upcoming series has been at the center of some controversy, particularly from Kelly’s ex-wife, Drea. While Drea participated in the initial “Surviving R. Kelly,” she is planning to sue Lifetime for using her photo in the sequel’s promo.
According to TMZ, Drea is upset with the network’s lack of aftercare for survivors, general support and security. She also complained that Lifetime ignored her request that they not contact her children and family members.
Fellow survivor, Lisa Van Allen, has also aired her grievances about the upcoming sequel.
“They’re being really messy,” she previously told TMZ, adding that she is not involved in the new series. “They’re adding new people in there that aren’t credible and it’s kind of gonna be like a reality show.”
“Surviving R. Kelly II: The Reckoning” is set to air on Jan. 2 at 9 p.m. EST. Find Gardner’s interview clip on Billboard and see the show’s original trailer below.