R. Kelly is now facing well over a dozen charges stemming from several allegations of sexual abuse and assault. On top of his ongoing criminal cases, the embattled R&B singer is also working to catch up on back child support payments, something that is understandably taking a toll on his children in more ways than one.
During the latest episode of “Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta,” which aired on Thursday (June 13), R. Kelly’s ex-wife, Drea Kelly, opens up about what it’s been like having to relive her experiences with the musician upon seeing each new headline about him.
“As soon as I feel like, ‘OK, I got me and the kids, we got a level of normalcy, life is going,’ some headlines [appear] – being arrested to new evidence surfacing to him not paying child support. I’m like, ‘What?’” she says. “And what’s worse is I find out like everybody else. I’m on social media, my phone is like, ‘ping, ping!’”
It was revealed back in March that Drea would be joining the cast of the show amid her ongoing child support battle. R. Kelly and Drea share three children together, Joann (who goes by her stage name of Buku), 21, Jay, 19, and Robert, 17.
“These past few months have been a roller coaster of emotion,” she continues. “When I think about the ways that I have been abused by Robert, from being hogtied, having both of my shoulders dislocated, to being slapped, pushed, having things thrown as me, the sexual abuse, the mental abuse, words can’t even describe. There’s some things that I don’t even speak anymore, that I feel like, once you give it to God, you better leave with God, because if I don’t leave it with God, I’m definitely going to be somewhere with my hands on the glass, visiting my children every other Sunday.”
As previously reported, Kelly recently pleaded not guilty to a new string of 11 felony counts of sexual assault and abuse related charges. The latest charges are the most serious he’s faced to date.
To view the full clip of Drea Kelly discussing her ex-husband, R. Kelly, and the emotional toll it’s taking on her and her family, see here.