Entertainment
R. Kelly’s daughter reveals a shocking alleged family secret that she only told her mother years later
Just a few days after the US Supreme Court ruling close In response to R. Kelly’s appeal of his 20-year federal sentence for child pornography charges and catching underage girls to have sex with him, the disgraced R&B singer’s daughter shared her own truth.
Buku Abi, the eldest daughter of the “Age is Just a Number” producer and his ex-wife Drea Kelly, née Joann Kelly, has revealed that her father molested her.
The mother-daughter duo will star in a recent docu-series titled “R. Kelly’s Karma: A Daughter’s Journey,” by which Buku details how a convicted sex offender touched her inappropriately.
In a clip from the primary episode of “Growing Up,” he says in a darkly lit room: “He was everything to me. For a long time I didn’t even want to believe that it happened.”
“I didn’t know that even if he was a bad person, he would do something to me,” she continued, before adding: “I used to be too scared to inform anyone. I used to be too afraid to inform my mom.
When the neighborhood conversation sent clip from the documentary, fans were outraged and sprung into motion, disgusted that Kelly’s crimes could affect his own children.
While many comments spoke of her daughter’s healing, many questioned Drea’s role in protecting her children from a sexual predator, lamenting her decision to maintain the name R. Kelly.
“Where was her mother? Idc what no one says their moms know,” one person wrote.
Another comment reads: ‘It’s as much as everyone, but when I were a mother, I would not have his surname, especially if he touched our child! I do not care what so-called opportunities lie behind having a name. It’s not price it in case your name is related to sexual harassment and abuse!”
“Wow… and Andrea still sings her songs… crazy,” another person added.
A fourth comment read: “They need to play this in prison and let all the inmates see it.”
When multiple comments stated that they didn’t imagine R. Kelly’s daughter, one person said, “Only God knows the truth, and if that is true, not everyone feels comfortable talking about abuse until they feel the time is right. 100%. If it’s not true, God will take care of it!”
Although that is the primary time she has publicly shared the news of this incest, People magazine reports that Buku mustered the courage to inform her mother in 2009, when she was 10 years old and after the couple’s divorce.
The couple separated in 2005, with Drea filing for defense and dissolving the wedding 4 years later. According to to the Essence.
According to Buku, Abi Drea, as “Jane Doe”, later took her child to the police to file a criticism. However, because she stated that the assault had occurred several years earlier, law enforcement told the family that they “could not prosecute him.”
As a result, the mother stopped visiting the youngsters at his home.
“I truly feel like that one millisecond completely changed my entire life, it changed who I was as a person, it changed my radiance and the light that I carried,” Abi recalled. “When I told my mother, I didn’t go there anymore; my brother (Robert) and sister (Jaah) didn’t go there anymore. And even to at the present time I struggle a lot with it.
In the second episode, Abi explained that her father began touching her when she was 8 or 9 years old, claiming that she would sleep within the bed and get up when the “I Believe I Can Fly” singer “touched” her.
“I just remember waking as much as him touching me. I didn’t know what to do, so I just lay there and pretended to sleep,” she said within the documentary.
R. Kelly’s daughter, Buku, claims that she was sexually abused by him as a child:
“He was every part to me. For a very long time I didn’t even wish to imagine that it had happened. I didn’t know that even when he was a bad person, he would do something to me. I used to be too scared to inform anyone. AND… pic.twitter.com/939kAUmsME
— Pop Base (@PopBase) October 11, 2024
Buku said she would never bring her son to prison to go to his grandfather.
During a meeting with Osei the Dark Secret on “The Culture Club Uncensored”, Drea said that she had not spoken to Kelly in about ten years.
When asked what he was like as a dad, Drea quickly replied “terrible,” noting that the singer confused being a “provider” with being a “father.”
In the interview, she alluded to a rift between him and the youngsters because he was too busy with work to find time for them.
Osei touched on a conversation concerning the adult kid’s relationship with their father after his conviction, and the choreographer said, “I actually do not know. They are adults now.”
“I left,” she explained. “When Robert Jr. he turned 18, I believed, ‘Whatever you select from here… If you would like to call him, you do not have to get permission. If you would like to visit him in prison, you do not have to have my permission. You are a young adult. Now it’s as much as you.
The longtime dancer claims that her relationship as Kelly’s ex-wife is different from being considered one of his children, which allows her to “separate” from him far more easily. “They share DNA,” she said.
Drea, who maintains she is keeping her ex-husband’s surname for the sake of the youngsters, spoke out within the documentary about her daughter’s recent allegations, saying she is happy with her.
“To say that I am proud of Joann Arielle Kelly does not begin to convey the level of bravery and bravery you have @buku.abi you are the voice of those who have no voice. Those who have been told should see you, NOT HEAR what you say” – Drea he wrote in a comment under the post promoting the series.
“Keep going and NEVER LOOK BACK, PRETTY FACE. Your sister and brother are the captains of your teams, and I will be your cheerleader until my last breath! Thanks to you, I survived. I owe you my life. I love you with all my heart.”
Kelly, nonetheless, issued a statement to People through his legal team denying the accusations.
“Mr. Kelly vehemently denies these allegations. His ex-wife made the identical allegation many years ago, and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services investigated the matter and located it to be without merit… And the ‘filmmakers,’ whoever they’re, haven’t been contacted with Mr. Kelly or his team to even allow him to disclaim these hurtful claims,” attorney Jennifer Bonjean said.
Kelly is currently serving a total of 31 years in prison. A federal judge sentenced the “R&B Pied Piper” to twenty years in prison for child pornography and soliciting sex from minors, including his 14-year-old goddaughter. Many of his crimes were exposed within the six-part documentary series “Surviving R. Kelly,” which exposed many years of alleged sexual misconduct and abuse of underage girls and young women of color.
The court ruled that all but one yr of his prison sentence can be served concurrently with a previous 30-year sentence for racketeering and sex trafficking handed down in his 2021 Brooklyn case.
The two-episode “R. “Kelly’s Karma: A Daughter’s Journey” may be watched on TVEI Streaming Network.
Entertainment
An attempt to save the image of Jeff Bezos’ future wife backfired after weeks of outrage and ridicule over her skimpy outfit
Lauren Sánchez has apparently gained a popularity for her fashion hits and misses as social media users began following her every move.
Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ current fiancée stepped into the highlight long before she met the Amazon co-founder, after years spent as co-host of “Good Day LA,” a reporter for “Extra” and host of “So You Think You Can Dance,” and he even starred in a number of movies like “Ted 2.”
She faced criticism for posting a sultry selfie in November in a negligee-inspired gown by designer Laura Basca. In October, the 54-year-old again faced backlash when she showed off her latex Halloween costume as Catwoman.
Now, weeks after being deemed “cheap” and tasteless, the founder of Black Ops Aviation has turn out to be a subject of discussion.
On December 5, Sánchez and the business mogul attended The New York Times’ DealBook event in New York City. For the occasion, she wore a white Alexander McQueen suit and a white lace corset. The beaming bride-to-be sent two mirror selfies of her outfit, which she signed: “winter white.”
One follower particularly was stunned by the whole look he ejaculated that she was “very attractive and beautiful, gorgeous and stunning, charming and fantastic young lady, sexy, charming, charming and elegant” in the photos that Sánchez took.
Two other people swooned over the photos and wrote: “So chic and elegant!” and “You look great.” But as you would possibly expect from online viewers, not everyone was impressed.
Jeff Bezos’ fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, cropped a photograph of him in a jumpsuit and then set Instagram on fire with her look.https://t.co/n7YNGctQFE pic.twitter.com/DNKP2i9o9C
— Sean Joseph (@sjoseph_sports) December 2, 2024
When Page six published paparazzi photos from the trip, the critic commented: “It’s 30 degrees in New York and she gets out of the limo in a white Miami smock, her bra visible to everyone. No taste. Nothing. A cashmere turtleneck, flannel trousers and a wool jacket can be classy.
Someone else sharply asked: “Who can be the first to tell her that she looks tacky and not elegant and refined? Does she even know what sophistication means? A 3rd person noted: “She looks more like she’s wearing a bathrobe.”
Lauren Sanchez 2003 vs. Lauren Sanchez 2024
Nothing to see here, people, move on#LaurenSanchez pic.twitter.com/mgr4vj6mFq
— Occam was right (@OccamWasRight) November 21, 2024
Another person wrote in a comment from a licensed pilot: “White means…” possibly referring to rumors that Sánchez and Bezos are scheduled to exchange vows over Christmas. At least one person doubted the couple would have the opportunity to say “I do.” This person said: “This will be the longest engagement ever. They will NEVER get married and we all know why!!!!”
Sánchez told the “Today” show hosts that she was in the process of planning the big day last month. She didn’t comment on speculation about exchanging Christmas vows.
Renewed interest and scrutiny of Sánchez has increased as the pair have been spotted in various locations in recent months. The couple reportedly began dating in 2018. Their engagement was announced five years later, in May 2023. Their upcoming wedding can be a second journey for each of them.
Sánchez was previously married to celebrity agent Patric Whitesell, with whom she has two children. She can be the mother of a son, whom she shares with Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. Bezos was married to the mother of his three children, Mackenzie Scott, for 25 years once they divorced in 2019.
Entertainment
Apart from the song with singer-songwriter India Shawn – Andscape
India Shawn is a contemporary muse with a chilled nature, crafting love stories and heartfelt tales in smooth, charming songs. With over a decade of experience in the music industry as a singer-songwriter, Shawn has incredible strength. She was born in Los Angeles, and her musical roots reach throughout the country. Beginning her profession in her hometown, Shawn eventually found herself in Atlanta, where she immersed herself in the city’s deep-rooted R&B scene, further shaping her artistry.
“I transferred to ATL, I was in 10th grade, and that’s when my music journey really started,” Shawn told Andscape. “I met people who were trying to get by, so I ended up recording and learned what songwriting was really early on.”
Before releasing her debut EP in 2012, Shawn wrote songs and collaborated with artists similar to Chris Brown, El DeBarge, Keri Hilson and Monica. In 2013, she gained much more notoriety when Solange Knowles published her song “I’m Alive” on the Saint Heron compilationmarking her as an artist value watching.
Following the release of the single “There Must Be a God” from the Andscape soundtrack, she caught up with Shawn to learn more about the muse behind the vibes.
Name:
India Shawn
Hometown:
Los Angeles
Artistic soundscape
Airy, soft, telling a story, multidimensional, soft, mysterious, atmospheric
The oldest musical memory
Shawn’s soulful sound is deeply rooted in her upbringing, with influences drawn from her childhood memories and the musical culture of her church. “I sing with my sister all the time, and I also grew up singing behind my mom in church. She was the leader of praise and worship. So I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” Shawn said. “I had these little solos in church, and I believe what made me consider in it was that after the service people got here as much as me with tears of their eyes and said, ‘You really moved me while you sang.’ “These early moments of connection with music and audiences laid the foundation for conveying depth and sensitivity through her music.
Influences
For Shawn, music, especially R&B, has all the time held a special place in her life. “Me and my sister are harmonizing in the living room, just picking some of our favorite songs, including for me Mariah Carey, Babyface, Boyz II Men and (and) Brandy,” she said of her early music memories.
Creative process
Shawn often draws inspiration from real-life experiences and relationships that influence her music. She weaves this into the authenticity and atmosphere of her songs, but she didn’t immediately recognize where her inspiration got here from. “It’s funny that it took me so long to make that connection, but I realized that I was telling my whole story and presenting my business through my music,” she said. “It took me two albums to realize, wait a minute, I’m giving people a lot to understand here… these aren’t just songs. This is truly the life I live.”
Challenges and development
As Shawn’s profession grows, so do his moments of appreciation and reflection. “I literally just thought about a very gradual progression of my career. It’s like step by step, but there are more breakthrough moments. My first tour, which was so beautiful, I just knew I could pack a room and people knew my lyrics and sang my songs to me. Those moments that make the waiting not in vain.”
Shawn has plenty of recommendation for up-and-coming singer-songwriters. Her biggest sacrifice? Collaboration is essential. “I think (cooperation) is really why I’m still here. So find your people… you’ll know when it feels right, you’ll have that freedom and fluidity, and you’ll be able to really create things and create without having to think too much.” He also shares the importance of patience. “Just be patient during the journey. This has been a theme throughout my profession. Let it develop. I feel like more things come from being in that flow and being present reasonably than forcing all of it.
Current project
“There should be a God”, the lead single from Andscape , now streaming on Hulu, also serves as a teaser for Shawn’s solo album. “(This song) is such a manifestation of God’s love,” she said. “I think when you find yourself in a place of waiting, you can feel very hopeless. So when you see glimpses of God’s love again, or the fact that you know there is a higher power, there is a source that is thinking about you, has you in mind, has a perfect plan for you, it’s just like the clouds parting. And this is the moment, I understand. I understand that I had to go through all this to get here. And that’s exactly what I felt in the studio that day.”
Entertainment
ICYMI: Tessa Thompson’s Mocha Lip, Danielle Brooks’ Updo and More – Essence
With just a number of weeks left until the tip of 2024, the celebrities are setting the tone for the brand new 12 months this week. And although mocha mousse is anticipated to be fashionable in 2025, neutral shades in darker tones have gotten more and more popular. Paired with an array of beauty eras – from elegant Twenties updos to 2000s-style round pink, the brand new Hollywood showcases its best 12 months-end beauty moments.
Tessa Thompson and Issa Rae are the newest to debut mocha lips holiday shade near the season, and Coco Jones’ lipstick was cranberry red. Doechii’s perforated suggestions and signature face-lift tape made it probably the most avant-garde look of the week, and within the sweetest moment, Chloe and Halle Bailey’s round pink cheeks made pink cheeks a winter styling staple.
From makeup to hairstyles, Sabrina Elba and Alva Claire opted for light, coffee colours, and Jourdan Dunn’s short hairstyle proved relevant at any time of the 12 months. Meanwhile, Lupita N’yongo, Danielle Brooks and Venus Williams’ braided buns showed just how classic this style may be.
In case you missed it, take a take a look at 17 of the very best celebrity beauty moments from the week below.
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