In a shocking revelation, R. Kelly’s daughter, Buku Abi, has accused the disgraced singer of sexually assaulting her as a child. The allegations were made in a new two-part documentary series, “Karma: A Daughter’s Journey,” which premiered on TVEI Friday.
Buku, formerly known as Joann Kelly, detailed her alleged sexual abuse in an episode of the series. She revealed that she was “too scared to tell anybody” about the abuse, even her own mother.
“He was my everything. 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 that he would do something to me,” Abi said in the documentary. She added that the alleged abuse “completely changed my whole life and changed who I was as a person and changed the sparkle I had and the light I used to carry.”
After disclosing the abuse to her mother, Abi and her siblings, Robert and Jaah, no longer visited their father.
In a statement to People magazine, R. Kelly’s attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, vehemently denied the allegations. She pointed out that Kelly’s ex-wife, Andrea “Drea” Kelly, had made similar allegations years ago, which were investigated and found to be unfounded. Bonjean also criticized the filmmakers for not reaching out to Kelly or his team for comment.
Buku’s allegations are the latest in a series of sexual abuse accusations against R. Kelly. The singer was convicted of sex trafficking and racketeering in 2021 and is currently serving a 31-year sentence.
The documentary offers a heartbreaking glimpse into the trauma experienced by victims of sexual abuse. It also highlights the importance of speaking out and seeking justice, even when faced with fear and shame.
Robert Sylvester Kelly, born on January 8, 1967, in Chicago, Illinois, rose to fame in the late 1980s as a member of the R&B group Public Announcement. His solo career took off in the 1990s with hit albums like “12 Play” and “R. Kelly,” solidifying his status as a leading figure in the R&B genre.
Known for his smooth vocals and catchy melodies, Kelly’s music reached a wide audience and earned him numerous awards. He became known as “the King of R&B” and “the Pied Piper of R&B,” captivating fans with his sensual and soulful sound.
However, beneath the glitz and glamour of his public persona, a darker side emerged. Allegations of sexual misconduct began to surface in the late 1990s, but they were largely dismissed or ignored. Despite these accusations, Kelly’s career continued to flourish.
In 2002, Kelly was charged with child pornography after a videotape depicting him engaging in sexual acts with a minor was leaked. While he was acquitted of these charges in 2008, the allegations continued to haunt him.
The #MeToo movement brought renewed attention to Kelly’s alleged crimes. Several women came forward with allegations of sexual abuse, including claims of coercion, manipulation, and underage relationships. In 2019, Kelly was arrested on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. After a lengthy trial, he was found guilty on all charges in 2021 and sentenced to 30 years in prison.
