R. Kelly's daughter issues statement calling her father a 'monster' and pledging support to his accusers
R. Kelly's estranged daughter has released a statement addressing his accusers, calling her father "terrible" and a "monster". In the statement, she expressed her support for the survivors of the alleged abuse.
Buku Abi — whose given name is Joann Kelly — posted the statement on her Instagram Story on Thursday.
The statement comes after the release of Lifetime documentary series Surviving R. Kelly, detailing R. Kelly's history of alleged sexual abuse.
"Buku here," began Abi's statement. "I just want to say a few things. Before I start I just want it to be known that I am speaking from the heart, nothing I say or do not say is to hurt ANY party reading or affected by this."
"My mother, siblings, and I would never condone, support or be a part of ANYTHING negative he has done and or continues to do in his life," she continued.
In the statement, Abi noted that she is no longer in contact with her father, stating that anyone who knows her is aware that she does not "have a relationship" with R. Kelly.
"To the people who feel I should be speaking up/against everything that is going on right now. I just want you all to understand that devastated is an understatement for all that I feel currently," she added. The statement continued, saying:
I do apologize if my silence to all that is happening comes off as careless. That is my last intention. I pray for all the families & women who have been affected by my father’s actions. Trust, I have been deeply affected by all this. The same monster you all confronting me about is my father. I am well aware of who and what he is. I grew up in that house. My choice to not speak on him and what he does is for my peace of mind. My emotional state. And for MY healing. I have to do & move in a manner that is best for me.
Abi ended the statement with a message to all those who've reached out to her and her family with support.
"You all fuel us. Family, friends, fans, etc … I love you guys to pieces," read the statement. "Your love is appreciated & will always be reciprocated."
If you have experienced sexual abuse, call the free, confidential National Sexual Assault hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), or access the 24-7 help online by visiting online.rainn.org.
Topics Music Celebrities
Rachel Thompson is the Features Editor at Mashable. Rachel's second non-fiction book The Love Fix: Reclaiming Intimacy in a Disconnected World is out now, published by Penguin Random House in Jan. 2025. The Love Fix explores why dating feels so hard right now, why we experience difficult emotions in the realm of love, and how we can change our dating culture for the better.
A leading sex and dating writer in the UK, Rachel has written for GQ, The Guardian, The Sunday Times Style, The Telegraph, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Stylist, ELLE, The i Paper, Refinery29, and many more.
Rachel's first book Rough: How Violence Has Found Its Way Into the Bedroom And What We Can Do About It, a non-fiction investigation into sexual violence was published by Penguin Random House in 2021.
