Stars React to R. Kelly Being Charged with Ten Counts of Criminal Sexual Abuse

R. Kelly has been charged with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

The controversial R&B star was charged in Cook County, Illinois, on Friday. A warrant for Kelly's arrest was issued by a county judge on Friday; according to records his first court appearance is scheduled for March 8.

Reaction to the news on Twitter was immediate, as stars weighed in on the latest development.

Stormy Daniels' attorney Michael Avenatti was the first to tweet, cryptically posting just before the news broke: "It's over".

He clarified minutes later: "After 25 years of serial sexual abuse and assault of underage girls, the day of reckoning for R Kelly has arrived."

Civil rights activist and #BlackLivesMatter co-creator Alicia Garza rebuffed thos who claimed only black people faced justice: "This doesn't make sense fam. R KELLY has been abusing BLACK WOMEN for 25 years. Don't act like he's being discriminated against. It's not a good look. White men get theirs too. But even if they didn't why throw black women under the bus? Cmon fam. Do better."

She continued: "Y'all don't do it. R Kelly ain't Emmett Till. Literally stop it right now and look deep inside. Every time you make this false ass claim, I die a little inside—and surely the survivors of his abuse for the last 25 years do too. Stop it."

Alyssa Milano, who is credited with launching the hashtag #MeToo, added it as well as #MuteRKelly to a news link she shared.

MSNBC Political Analyst Zerlina Maxwell summarized: "It took this long to indict R. Kelly because the victims are Black girls. Asked and Answered."

Comedian Ken Reid simply said: "Goodnight R. Kelly, you scumbag. Rot in prison you human garbage dump."

Author Britni Danielle wrote: "R. Kelly's arrest is the culmination of DECADES of work by Black women activists, and the brave victims, who have been demanding justice. Sending love and light to Kelly's victims. No matter what happens, we stand with you."

The news came just one day after "Empire" star Jussie Smollett was arrested for falsifying a police report, in connection to the alleged staged attack on himself in the very same city.

Thusly, Questlove tweeted: "Chicago is burning."

The criminal charges come after the recent Lifetime documentary "Surviving R. Kelly," which shone a spotlight on his alleged history of abuse towards young girls.

Questlove had been caught up in a back and forth with the docs director dream hampton over his reasoning for not appearing in it; with him claiming he's been asked to praise Kelly, hampton denying this.

On Friday, hampton appeared to accuse Avenatti of stealing the credit from her, sharing a link to a Late Night Green Book sketch, in which Seth Meyers plays the "white savior".

"A little skit about me and Michael Avenatti," she tweeted.

Comic W. Kamau Bell however was under no illusion as to where credit should lie: "I know it is Oscar weekend, but this proves some films are bigger than awards, ratings, and how much money is made. @dreamhampton's #SurvivingRKelly paved the way for justice."

When one fan called her "a hero", dream herself replied: "The survivors are heroes."

R Kelly's attorney Steven Greenberg has previously denied his client has committed any wrongdoing.

The news comes after a grand jury convened last week to investigate an alleged sex tape sent in by Avenatti, which is believed to contain incriminating footage.

Two women testified before the grand jury last week, including one who provided physical evidence, according to TMZ.

According to the news website, Avenatti discovered the footage following an in-depth investigation. Reportedly, the VHS tape depicts Kelly involved in sexual activity with a minor, with the singer allegedly referring to her body parts as being 14 years old.

Avenatti maintained that the footage fell within the statue of limitations to be tried in criminal court.

Read on to see how Hollywood is reacting to the news.