Buku Abi, the daughter of the infamous singer R. Kelly, has come forward with shocking allegations that her father sexually abused her when she was just a child. In a new two-part documentary titled ‘R. Kelly’s Karma: A Daughter’s Journey,’ Abi, whose real name is Joann Kelly, revealed that the abuse occurred when she was around 8 or 9 years old.
Abi shared her traumatic experience in the documentary, stating, “I just remember waking up to him touching me. And I didn’t know what to do, so I just kind of laid there, and I pretended to be asleep.” She first reported the abuse to her mother, Andrea Kelly, in 2009 when she was 10 years old. However, due to the time elapsed, she was unable to press charges against her father.
This is not the first time Abi has shown support for the survivors of her father’s abuse. In 2019, she expressed her awareness of her father’s actions and her support for those affected. Now, she has taken the courageous step of sharing her own story publicly.
R. Kelly is currently serving two concurrent sentences related to child sexual abuse, including a 30-year sentence for racketeering and sex trafficking, and an additional 20 years for child pornography and enticing minors for sexual purposes. His attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, has denied the allegations, stating that similar claims made by Kelly’s ex-wife were previously investigated and deemed unfounded.
The documentary marks a significant moment in the ongoing saga surrounding R. Kelly’s legal and personal troubles, highlighting the profound impact his actions have had on his family and the many lives he has affected.
