Fact Check: R. Kelly spent two days being treated at Duke University Hospital after losing consciousness due to an alleged overdose of medications.

Fact Check: R. Kelly's Hospitalization After Alleged Overdose

What We Know

R. Kelly, the R&B singer currently serving a 30-year prison sentence, was reportedly hospitalized at Duke University Hospital after an alleged overdose on June 13, 2025. According to various reports, including one from Page Six and USA Today, his legal team claims that he lost consciousness due to medication provided by prison staff. The specifics of the medications involved and the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) emphasizes the importance of overdose reversal medications, particularly naloxone, which can be life-saving during opioid overdoses. These medications are critical in addressing the ongoing opioid crisis in the U.S. (NIDA). However, there is no direct confirmation from medical sources regarding the exact nature of R. Kelly's condition or the treatment he received during his hospitalization.

Analysis

The reports surrounding R. Kelly's hospitalization largely rely on statements from his legal team and media coverage, which may not provide a complete or verified account of the events. For instance, while Page Six and USA Today report on the overdose claim, they do not cite any medical professionals or official statements from Duke University Hospital that confirm the details of the incident or the nature of the treatment he received.

The credibility of the sources reporting on this incident varies. While mainstream media outlets like USA Today are generally reliable, they are still dependent on the information provided by R. Kelly's lawyers, which may be biased. Furthermore, the lack of independent verification from medical professionals or hospital representatives raises questions about the accuracy of the claims being made.

Additionally, the NIDA provides a broad overview of overdose treatment and the role of medications like naloxone in reversing opioid overdoses. However, the specific details about R. Kelly's situation—such as the type of medications involved and the exact nature of his overdose—are not addressed in the NIDA's resources, indicating a gap in the available information.

Conclusion

Needs Research. While there are multiple reports claiming that R. Kelly was hospitalized due to an overdose, the details surrounding the incident remain unverified. The reliance on statements from his legal team without independent confirmation from medical sources or the hospital itself leaves significant uncertainty about the accuracy of the claim. Further investigation is needed to clarify the circumstances of R. Kelly's hospitalization and the specifics of the alleged overdose.

Sources

1. Overdose Reversal Medications | National Institute on Drug Abuse
2. Treatment of opioid overdose: current approaches and recent advances
3. Opioid-Overdose Reduction Continuum of Care Approach
4. Collaboratory Dissemination Products | Duke Department of Population Health
5. R. Kelly rushed to hospital after overdosing in prison: report - Page Six
6. R Kelly rushed to hospital after overdosing in prison - MSN
7. syntax - What does %>% function mean in R? - Stack Overflow
8. R Kelly overdosed and hospitalized, lawyers say - USA TODAY