R. Kelly’s eldest daughter, Joann Lee Kelly, who goes by the stage name Buku Abi, has taken to her Instagram to express her feeling following the airing of Lifetime’s documentary, Surviving R. Kelly, and to describe her relationship with her estranged father. In her lengthy Instagram post, the 20-year-old aspiring singer explains that she and her siblings (her brother Robert Kelly Jr. and her transgender brother Jay) have not seen or spoken to their father in years. She adds that her mother, Andrea Kelly, has also not spoken to R. Kelly, full name Robert Kelly, in years.
Joann began the post by writing, “Buku here. I just want to say a few things. 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 or affected by this.”
Joann then went on to address the many women who have accused her father of sexual misconduct and abuse. Some of these women were kids when they were allegedly abused by Robert.
She continued, “I pray for all the families and women who have been affected by my father’s actions. Trust, I have been deeply affected by all of this. However, it has been very difficult to process it all. Let alone gather all the right words to express everything i feel. Anyone that knows me personally or has been following me through out the years knows that i do not have a relationship with my father. Nor do I speak on him or on his behalf. I am also not fond of dealing with my personal issues or personal life experience through social media but I feel that things are starting to get out of hand.”
Joann’s mother, Andrea Kelly, was one of the many women to speak against R. Kelly in the Lifetime docuseries. But contrary to what the public may think, Joann says that neither she, her mother ,nor her siblings have seen or spoken to R. Kelly in years.
“Unfortunately, for my own personal [reasons] and for all my family has endured in regards to him, his life decisions, and his last name, it has been years since my siblings and I have seen and or have spoken to him. In regards to my mother, she for the same [reasons] and more, has not seen or spoken to my father in years.”
Joann adds that she nor members of her family condone R. Kelly’s behavior and that all they really want is for the public to respect their privacy during this difficult time.
“My mother, siblings and i would never condone, support or be apart of anything negative that he has done and or continue to do in his life. Going through all i have gone through in my life, i would never want anyone to feel the pain i have felt. 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, and 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.”
Adding, “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. 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 and 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. It took me nearly 3 days to write this. I just want everyone to know that i do care and i love you all. This is a very difficult subject to speak on..again, I apologize if my words don’t come out right.”
The aspiring singer then went on to thank her family, friends and fans for all the support through her “difficult year”.
“Thank you. You guys really helped push us through this hard time,” she wrote.
Joann’s Instagram Story post was transcribed by www.bckonline.com. Please credit us if you should use any quotes from this story!
