R. Kelly's eldest daughter, Buku Abi, has come forward with shocking allegations of childhood abuse by her father, the disgraced R&B singer currently serving a 30-year prison sentence for sex trafficking and related crimes. The accusations were revealed in a new two-part docuseries, Karma: A Daughter's Journey, where Abi, formerly known as Joann Kelly, opens up about the trauma she experienced growing up with her father.
In an emotional segment of the series, Abi, now 26, tearfully recalls the abuse that allegedly began when she was around 8 or 9 years old. "I just remember waking up to him touching me," she said. "I didn't know what to do, so I just kind of laid there, and I pretended to be asleep." Abi, who is the daughter of R. Kelly and his ex-wife Drea Kelly, admitted that she struggled to process what had happened, stating that her father was her "everything" at the time.
"I didn't even want to believe that it happened," she explained. "I was too scared to tell anybody. I was too scared to tell my mom."
The series sheds light on the long-term effects of the alleged abuse, with Abi revealing that she battled severe mental health issues, including suicidal thoughts, as a result of her experiences. "I really feel like that one millisecond completely just changed my whole life, changed who I was as a person," she said. The artist further explained that it took her two years to tell her mother about the abuse. After confiding in her at age 10, they filed a police complaint under the name "Jane Doe." However, Abi said that due to the delay in reporting the incident, legal action was not pursued.
In response to these claims, R. Kelly's attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, vehemently denied the 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," Bonjean stated in response to People. She further criticized the filmmakers for not contacting Kelly or his legal team for a statement, labeling the accusations as "hurtful" and lacking credibility.
Despite the ongoing denials from Kelly's legal team, Abi remains steadfast in her account, emphasizing that the trauma has haunted her for years. "After I told my mom, I didn't go over there anymore. My brother [Robert Jr.] and sister [Jaah] didn't go over there anymore," she said. In the documentary, Abi also describes a particularly harrowing moment when her mother, Drea, discovered that she had cut her wrists in a Target bathroom due to overwhelming emotional pain. "She was really worried," Abi recalled. "I had to tell her, like, 'I don't think I'm OK. I don't think that I can do this.'"
The docuseries also features reflections from other family members, including Abi's younger siblings and her mother, who left R. Kelly in 2009 after years of alleged abuse. In the documentary, her brother, Robert Jr., addresses his father's legal downfall, stating bluntly, "If you don't want to go to jail, don't do s--- that gets you locked up."
The allegations come as R. Kelly continues to serve his prison sentences. In addition to his 30-year sentence for sex trafficking and racketeering, the singer received a 20-year sentence for child pornography charges, with 19 years to be served concurrently. He will be eligible for release in 2045.
Karma: A Daughter's Journey explores the impact of Kelly's actions on his family, as they attempt to move forward with their lives. Abi, who is expecting her first child, shares her journey of healing, while her mother and siblings offer their own perspectives on life in the shadow of Kelly's legacy.
The docuseries is currently streaming on TVEI Streaming Network, providing a rare glimpse into the personal toll that high-profile scandals can take on the families involved.
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-422-4453.
