R&B star Ne-Yo is suing R Kelly for axing him as main support on a US tour last year. As previously reported, Kelly pulled Ne-Yo, real name Shaffer Smith, off the bill of his 25 date US tour two dates in back in November. Kelly said the decision was caused by contractual issues, but Ne-Yo claimed he was axed because Kelly was jealous his support act was getting a better reception with fans.
Legal papers have now been issued in relation to the lawsuit, albeit against the R Kelly tour's promoters, Rowe Entertainment. The legal papers claim: "An unknown representative of R Kelly urged Rowe to terminate Smith from the tour given the audience and critics' more favourable reaction to Smith than the reaction to R Kelly".
Ne-Yo's people are looking for the $735,000 he would have been paid had he played the 23 cancelled dates.