R. Kelly‘s daughter Joann Kelly, also known by her stage name Buku Abi, has penned an emotional letter to her younger self after “finally telling everyone” about her father allegedly sexually abusing her. She tells her younger self, “We swore we wouldn’t, but it wasn’t good for us. Don’t be angry.”
As we previously shared earlier this month, R. Kelly’s daughter Joann Kelly (aka Buku Abi) spoke out in a new documentary, alleging she too was sexually abused by her father, who has been convicted of criminal sex offenses. As a refresher, in 2021, R. Kelly was convicted of racketeering and sex trafficking charges and sentenced to 30 years in prison.
In 2022, he was found guilty of 6 counts of child pornography, sexual exploitation, and enticing of a minor. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison. R. Kelly filed an appeal for the latter conviction but was denied. He is serving 19 years of both sentences concurrently and is eligible for release in 2045 at 78 years old.
Before his convictions, R. Kelly welcomed three children with ex-wife Andrea “Drea” Kelly: 26-year-old Joann (Buku), 23-year-old Jay Kelly, and 22-year-old Robert Kelly, Jr. Note: Jay Kelly was born Jaya Kelly before coming out and transitioning to Jay in June 2014.
In the new TVEI documentary, ‘R. Kelly’s Karma: A Daughter’s Journey,’ Buku Abi claimed to be about 8 or 9 years old when her father first allegedly abused her. She said she told her mother in 2009 when she was 10. In the doc, Abi emotionally recalled the alleged abuse and said she would never take herself nor her 13-month-old son Omni to see R. Kelly in prison.
Buku Abi also said she and her mother filed a police report under Jane Doe, but the police “couldn’t prosecute [Kelly] because [they] waited too long,” – which left Abi feeling like she “said something for nothing.” She also talked about her handful of suicide attempts. Drea Kelly also appeared in the documentary and said she was upset to learn that not only was she allegedly abused by the disgraced R&B legend, but her children too.
In light of his daughter’s accusations, R. Kelly is reportedly “very upset” and his attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, told PEOPLE he is innocent. Bonjean said, “Mr. Kelly vehemently denies these allegations. His ex-wife made the same allegation years ago, and it was investigated by the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services and was unfounded… and the ‘filmmakers,’ whoever they are, did not reach out to Mr. Kelly or his team to even allow him to deny these hurtful claims.”
RELATED: R. Kelly’s Attorney Speaks Out On Daughter’s Claims: ‘Mr. Kelly Vehemently Denies The Allegations’
Due to her appearance in the new documentary, Buku Abi soon caught backlash online, leaving her to explain her intentions of doing it for herself, her peace of mind, her infant son, and her family. On Instagram, she shared a message to the public explaining it all.
A few days later, R. Kelly’s daughter Joann Kelly (aka Buku Abi), penned an emotional open letter to her younger self after “finally telling everyone” about her father allegedly sexually abusing her. She shared an old image of her father holding her on stage and in her caption, she began, “Hey, Baby girl…. It’s me, you. We’re 26 now. I know you didn’t even think you’d make it past 15 but you did. I know you’re probably wondering how we made it here and what we’re doing now. You wouldn’t believe it lol.”
She continued, “Unfortunately, yes, the world is still as cruel as it is in your life right now but…. You have built up a strength and a faith that is beyond what you can comprehend. You finally told everyone…. I know I know. We swore we wouldn’t. But it wasn’t good for us anymore. Please don’t be angry with me but I had to. You have a light in you and if I didn’t let it all go your light would have went out. I know you’re feeling ashamed and embarrassed and you want to hide but I promise it’s safe now. There are monsters under your bed but they don’t compare to your light. That beautiful yellow ball. We forgot somewhere along the way and that’s okay.”
She added, “But, hey, no one’s angry with you. No one wants to hurt you and even if they do God and your people won’t let them. You get to trust again, you get to smile and mean it. You’re making friends. Real friends. You’re a mother, a f***ing amazing one at that. Your son is so handsome and so funny, and everything you’ve been daydreaming about, and more. Your mom is truly healing. Your brother and sister are alive and well. You’ve reconnected with blood relatives. You went on to do music and art, and ‘teaching the babies.’ You were on TV, you lived on your own, got your car, you’ve experienced great loves, your father is still alive, and you’ve reached a place of true forgiveness with him….I know right?”
She concluded, “You could care less about what anyone has to say about you!!!….. RIGHT!?!?!?! Everything thing you thought could never happen has happened. Baby, look at us… This is just the beginning. Just know you are safe and sound now. Go run and play, dance like no one is watching, say when you’re scared, ask for hugs when you need them, cry when you need to, laugh when you feel that little tickle in your stomach, love on your family, love on your friends, and take care of yourself ’cause you’re so f***ing cool. We are so f***ing cool. Signed Joann Kelly.”
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