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R. Kelly’s Estranged Daughter Speaks Out, Calls Him A 'Monster' On Instagram
“I have been deeply affected by all of this,” Kelly’s daughter, Buku Abi, wrote in a lengthy Instagram post.
R. Kelly’s estranged daughter has joined the public conversation about the allegations against her father, referring to him as a “monster” on social media and revealing that she and her siblings, as well as her mother Andrea Kelly, have not spoken to him in years.
Kelly has been at the center of intense backlash following the release of Lifetime’s “Surviving R. Kelly” documentary. The six-part series highlighted the decades of sexual misconduct accusations that have been made about the 51-year-old singer, and featured interviews from numerous women who claim to have been abused or otherwise mistreated by Kelly. One such woman was Kelly’s ex-wife, Andrea Kelly, who spoke publicly about the years of physical and mental abuse she endured in her 13-year marriage to Kelly just last year. Now, her daughter, Buku Abi, is breaking her silence as well.
“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 this or affected by this,” she began a lengthy post on her Instagram Stories.
She went on to address anyone who felt she should have spoken publicly on the topic sooner, writing that “devastated is an understatement for all that I feel currently.”
“I do apologize if my silence to all that is happening comes off as careless. That is my last intention,” she wrote. “I pray for all the families & women who have been affected by my father’s actions. Trust, I have been deeply affected by all of this.”
Processing everything that’s been happening and “gather[ing] all the right words” has been “very difficult” for her, she continued. She went on to say that she does not have a relationship with Kelly, and neither she, nor her siblings or mother, have spoken to him in years. They do not “condone, support or be a part of ANYTHING negative he has done and or continues to do in his life,” she wrote.
“Going through all I have gone through in my life, I would never want anyone to feel the pain I have felt,” she continued. “Reminders of how terrible my father is, and how we should be speaking up against him, rude comments about my family, fabricating me, my siblings & our mothers ‘part’ etc. Does not help my family (Me, my sister, my brother, and my mother) in our healing process. Nor does it allow a safe space for other victims who are scared to speak up, speak up.”
“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,” she wrote. “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. I pray anyone who reads this understands I put nothing but good intent behind each word.”
Her statement on the subject took her “nearly 3 days” to write, she said.
“I just want everyone to know that I do care and I love you all,” her post reads. “This is a very difficult subject to speak on… again, I apologize if my words don’t come out right..”
She concluded her post by thanking her friends, family and followers for their support during a “difficult” year for her family.
“To everyone who reached out to my family and I, sending good energy and love…Thank you. You guys really helped push us through this hard time,” she wrote. “This past year for my family has been very difficult, all the love and support you all continue to show is why we keep going. You all fuel us.”
Buku Abi — born Joann Kelly, according to People — is one of three children Kelly shares with his ex-wife Andrea Kelly. In a previous statement obtained by the outlet, a representative for Kelly’s ex-wife stated that Kelly “has chosen to not be around” their children, and “has not tried to make contact with them.”
Kelly has repeatedly denied allegations of abuse and sexual misconduct, and has reportedly threatened to sue Lifetime for airing the documentary. He is also allegedly planning to target his accusers with a “Surviving Lies” website, although a Facebook page of the same name was quickly deactivated for violating Facebook’s community standards.
In the wake of Lifetime’s eye-opening documentary, authorities in Georgia reportedly have launched a criminal investigation into the accusations against Kelly, and prosecutors in Chicago (and perhaps Florida) seem poised to follow suit.
[Photo: Getty Images]
