Content Warning: This article contains references to sensitive topics such as sexual abuse, child pornography, and suicidal thoughts.
R. Kelly’s daughter, Buku Abi, is bravely sharing her story for the first time, shedding light on the alleged abuse she endured at the hands of her father during her childhood. In a poignant moment captured in TVEI Streaming Network’s compelling two-episode documentary, Abi, now 26, reveals that she confided in her mother Andrea about the abuse she suffered from the singer when she was just ten years old.
“He was my world. For the longest time, I couldn’t bring myself to accept that it had happened. I never imagined that someone I loved so deeply could hurt me,” Abi shares in the documentary. “I was paralyzed by fear, too scared to speak up, too scared to tell my mom.”
Born as Joann Kelly, Abi does not delve into the specifics of the abuse in the initial episode of the show. However, she expresses her belief that jail is the rightful place for Kelly, given her own harrowing experiences. In February 2023, Kelly was sentenced to 20 years in prison for offenses related to child pornography and soliciting minors for sex. The year prior, he received a 30-year sentence for charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, currently serving both concurrently with a potential release date in 2045.
Recalling a chilling moment from the second episode of the documentary, Abi recounts waking up to Kelly touching her at a tender age of 8 or 9. Unsure of what to do, she feigned sleep, grappling with the trauma silently. Kelly’s attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, vehemently denies these allegations, citing an earlier investigation by the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services that deemed them unfounded. The attorney criticizes the documentary makers for failing to provide Kelly with an opportunity to refute his daughter’s accusations.
Charting the aftermath of Kelly’s legal troubles, “R. Kelly’s Karma: A Daughter’s Journey” chronicles Abi’s path as she prepares to embrace motherhood, a journey marked by struggles with suicidal thoughts while living under her father’s shadow. Additionally, Robert Jr. and Joah Kelly, R. Kelly’s other children, express their satisfaction with their father’s sentencing in the documentary.
In closing, if you or someone you know is grappling with issues of assault, abuse, or suicidal ideation, please seek help from a mental health professional, NGO, or reach out to a trusted individual. There are numerous helplines available for support and guidance.
