'It's really important to keep close to people that really love you,' Keys tells MTV News.
By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Hillary Crosley
Alicia Keys at the 8th annual Keep a Child Alive event on Thursday
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/ Getty Images
One day after Tyler Clementi's body was identified, music artists are speaking out about the tragedy. The Rutgers student committed suicide after his roommate posted a video online of Clementi and another man engaging in sexual activity.
Nicki Minaj has already reached out to her gay fans. Now Alicia Keys is speaking out, too. At Keys' annual Keep a Child Alive fundraiser, the singer said she was saddened by the news, and she urged young people to lean on loved ones.
"That's really heavy and really, really sad," Keys told MTV News. "It's really important to maintain and keep close to people that really love you. And if you ever feel taken advantage of or bullied, turn it off, and go towards God and people that love you. Make sure that you hold onto them. Anyone else, get them the f--- out of your sphere."
Clementi announced via Facebook his intentions to take his own life earlier this month. The 18-year-old freshman followed up on his actions, and this week authorities announced they had identified a body found in New York's Hudson River as Clementi. A spokesperson for the Medical Examiner's office reportedly said the death had been ruled a suicide.
Police have charged Clementi's roommate, Dharun Ravi, and Ravi's childhood friend, Molly Wei, with invading Clementi's privacy. Prosecutors are determining whether to add additional charges that could send the pair to prison for up to 10 years.
Lil Wayne protégé Jay Sean called cyberbullying tactics "upsetting."
"I've always said technology, as amazing as it is, it's always such a huge downfall," he told MTV News. "I believe kids have become so desensitized by technology, because everything is funny to tweet to people, it's funny to put on YouTube. People don't respect privacy or space. When I heard about [Clementi] I was really upset. Because celebrities suffer from it, too. There used to be a time if you were performing and fell on stage, it would be heartbreaking. Now it's captured on YouTube and the world sees it forever. You can't put a foot wrong. We're all only human beings — we're not perfect."
If you're a victim of cyberbullying or need help stopping digital harassment, check out MTV's "A Thin Line" website, which provides resources to help.
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