As Reshonda Landfair releases her memoir about R. Kelly, 59, allegedly grooming and sexually abusing her as a teenager, the imprisoned singer’s lawyer releases a statement and Landfair’s aunt, R&B singer Sparkle, 50, speaks out to deny grooming her niece for the Chicago crooner.
Reshona Landfair is the “Jane Doe” in R. Kelly’s 2001 leaked sex tape. Landfair, now 41, was just 14 years old as she performed sex acts with the “Bump n’ Grind” singer, who was about 31 in the video.
Landfair testified about the alleged grooming and sexual abuse by R. Kelly, born Robert Sylvester Kelly, in his 2022 federal trial. Like his separate federal trial in 2021, his 2022 case ended with a jury finding the singer guilty of racketeering and sex crimes.
Before and after Kelly’s convictions, several alleged survivors have spoken out against him in the media and documentaries. Landfair, who has remained out of the spotlight, has now identified herself as she releases her new memoir, ‘Who’s Watching Shorty?: Reclaiming Myself from the Shame of R. Kelly’s Abuse.’ Landfair spoke with CBS Mornings, in her first TV interview about her memoir.
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Reshona Landfair Recalls Alleged Grooming And Sexual Abuse By R. Kelly In New Memoir
In the book, she details R. Kelly’s alleged grooming and sexual abuse, which she claims began in the 1990s when she had dreams of becoming a big star as a child rapper coming from a musical family in Chicago. Her aunt, R&B singer Sparkle, would introduce her to Kelly.
It’s been long alleged that Sparkle, born Stephanie Edwards, groomed her niece for Kelly. In her book, she even writes that her aunt told her, “The next time we’re at the studio, you should ask Robert to be your godfather,” and to sit on his lap and rub his head.
Landfair said, “That is the start of him entering into my life in a different way than just being an artist or hanging out at the studio. It became more personable at that moment.” She said Kelly agreed to be her godfather and soon after, when she was about 13, he allegedly began grooming her and touching her inappropriately.
Landfair said, at one point, her aunt Sparkle suspected something was going on and called Child Protective Services (CPS). She said, “I don’t think they believed her because there were no obvious signs of what was actually taking place.”
In her book, Landfair said a few weeks before her 17th birthday, in 2001, Kelly told her that a sex tape filmed when she was 14 got leaked and was being sold nationwide. Landfair recalls feeling “empty,” “very hollow inside,” and “very confused.” In 2002, Kelly was arrested on child pornography charges related to the tape.
Landfair also alleged that Kelly told her parents that he was in love with their daughter after the sex tape leaked. She said:
“It was very complicated. My dad wanted to make the right decision and he was not OK with anything that took place. He utilized me against my parents — making threats of suicide and doing different things out of desperation to convince them to not turn on him.”
Reshona Landfair’s Aunt Sparkle And R. Kelly’s Lawyer Speak Out Amid Her Memoir About Alleged Grooming And Sexual Abuse
Following the release of Reshona Landfair’s new memoir, her aunt, R&B singer Sparkle, spoke out. On Tuesday (February 3), she released the following statement on her Instagram:
“I am relieved that Reshona is finally free to speak her truth and begin her healing journey. In addition to justice, I have always wanted healing and peace for her. I do need to be clear about one thing. Any suggestion that I groomed, facilitated, or enabled harm to my niece is untrue and deeply painful, especially given my documented actions at the time and throughout.
When I was informed her parents were allowing Reshona to spend unchaperoned time with R.Kelly, I immediately contacted DCFS [Department of Child and Family Services]. When the tape surfaced and the state brought charges against him in 2008, 1 cooperated fully and testified under oath, despite immense pressure not to do so. I did this because protecting my niece from abuse and telling the truth mattered more to me than money and my career.
This is the beginning of Reshona’s lengthy deprogramming journey. It is true that she is a survivor of years of abuse, still learning to process what happened to her and who is responsible. It is also true and well documented that I stood up for her to try and stop the damage being done to her and countless others. I wish her continued healing and peace as she continues to not only find her voice, but hopefully require accountability from those closest to her.I am relieved that Reshona is finally free to speak her truth and begin her healing journey. In addition to justice, I have always wanted healing and peace for her.
I do need to be clear about one thing. Any suggestion that I groomed, facilitated, or enabled harm to my niece is untrue and deeply painful, especially given my documented actions at the time and throughout. When I was informed her parents were allowing Reshona to spend unchaperoned time with R.Kelly, I immediately contacted DCFS. When the tape surfaced and the state brought charges against him in 2008, 1 cooperated fully and testified under oath, despite immense pressure not to do so. I did this because protecting my niece from abuse and telling the truth mattered more to me than money and my career.
This is the beginning of Reshona’s lengthy deprogramming journey. It is true that she is a survivor of years of abuse, still learning to process what happened to her and who is responsible. It is also true and well documented that I stood up for her to try and stop the damage being done to her and countless others. I wish her continued healing and peace as she continues to not only find her voice, but hopefully require accountability from those closest to her.”
According to CBS News, R. Kelly’s lawyer released a statement that said, in part:
“Neither Mr. Kelly nor his legal counsel have been provided with an advance copy of Ms. Landfair’s memoir. It is, therefore, impossible to comment on any specific allegation. Nor does Mr. Kelly wish to engage in any kind of refutation that would, in any way, limit the financial success of Ms. Landfair’s memoir.”
The statement continued to claim that Kelly “wishes her success and peace at all levels.”
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