Ne-Yo made a ‘tone-deaf’ comment about sexual assault during a live show in New Zealand, just weeks after Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was arrested for sex trafficking and racketeering.
The 44-year-old American singer-songwriter is currently embarking on his Champagne & Roses world tour, with his most recent performance taking place in Auckland, New Zealand.
While the tour has been highly anticipated by his fans, the Closer singer has been slammed for a ‘tone deaf’ comment about sexual assault after he pulled up a member from the crowd, inviting her to dance on him.
Ne-Yo, whose real name is Shaffer Chimere Smith, declared during his recent show: ‘Ladies and gentlemen, I was sexually assaulted and I liked it. I had a great time, and I’d do it again.’
New Zealand Herald has reported the comment came after he hand-picked three women from the crowd and invited them up onto the stage, ‘where they take turns in gyrating and grinding against Ne-Yo’.
The topic has been a particularly sensitive matter in recent weeks after the arrest of Diddy, 54, who has been accused of sex trafficking, sexual assault and racketeering. Over 100 alleged victims have come forward, including a nine-year-old boy.
The news outlet reported the Grammy winner appeared ‘more than pleased’ with the women but particularly with the third woman ‘whom he brands his “future baby mama”.’
He then made the shock comment with one fan, Lana Andelane exclaiming: ‘The remark feels tone-deaf and tasteless.’
Ne-Yo’s comments come just weeks after his ex-girlfriend and mother of two of his children, Sade Bagnerise, compared him to Diddy, and insinuated that he had assaulted her.
In an Instagram Live video made in April this year, Sade turned the camera towards Ne-Yo as she said: ‘’Tell them about the freak-off, Diddy Junior.’
She then alleged: ‘This n***a likes to have hoes, drugs, weed, alcohol, mushrooms, and prostitutes in the house while his kids are here,’
‘Everyone has asked him to stop, but he will not listen to nobody. I even came over here to help him with these f*****g kids because he won’t watch these kids.’
The rapper could be seen in the video denying Sade’s claims and asked her to leave his house due to the ‘commotion’ she was causing.
Soon after she made the video, she later apologised to her social media followers and claimed she behaved that way due to a combination of issues which included her menstrual cycle, postpartum depression, and co-parenting frustrations.
Ne-Yo has not been accused of any wrongdoing regarding his relationship with Sade, his children, or any potential involvement with Diddy.
Disgraced music artist, Diddy was arrested on September 16 and charged with racketeering conspiracy; sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; and transportation to engage in prostitution,
The following day, he pled not guilty to the charges.
Diddy has been denied bail by two judges, including Judge Tarnofsky and Carter on the grounds that he is a ‘flight risk’ and ‘danger to the community’.
He is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York.