In a shocking revelation, Joanne Kelly, known as Buku Abi, has come forward with allegations that her father, the infamous R&B singer R. Kelly, sually abused her during her childhood.
In a poignant two-part documentary titled “Karma: A Daughter’s Journey,” Joanne recounts the harrowing experience of being touched by her father when she was merely eight or nine years old.
With tears in her eyes, she describes waking up to the traumatic incident and feeling paralyzed by fear, opting instead to pretend she was asleep.
The documentary, which premiered on October 11, reveals that Joanne confided in her mother, Drea Kelly, about the alleged abuse back in 2009 when she was just ten years old.
This revelation adds a deeply personal layer to the ongoing narrative surrounding R. Kelly, who has been embroiled in legal troubles for years.
In response to these serious accusations, R. Kelly’s attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, firmly denied the claims, stating that Mr. Kelly “vehemently denies these allegations.”
Joanne shared her struggle to come to terms with the abuse, stating, “He was my everything.”
For a long time, she grappled with disbelief, unable to reconcile the image of her father with the reality of what he allegedly did to her.
“I really feel like that one millisecond completely just changed my whole life,” she expressed, highlighting the profound impact this experience had on her.
Interestingly, Joanne was not mentioned as a victim during her father’s highly publicized trial in 2021.
The documentary trailer, released on September 29, showcases her determination to speak out about her experiences, especially concerning her own son.
She emphasizes her commitment to honesty, declaring that she would never take her child to meet his grandfather in prison, no matter the circumstances.
Drea Kelly, R. Kelly’s ex-wife, also features prominently in the documentary, where she reflects on the complexities of her former husband’s role as a father.
“Just because you’re not a good husband doesn’t mean you can’t be a good father,” she argues.
However, she expresses deep frustration over the fact that R. Kelly’s actions have affected their children, saying, “You didn’t have to do it to my damn kids.”
R. Kelly’s legal troubles are extensive.
He was convicted in 2021 on charges of racketeering and s** trafficking, resulting in a hefty 30-year prison sentence.
