Before Fame. There's no denying it. I wish they were backing [me] when I was coming up and had a story to tell, but nobody believed. It's very upsetting to my family. Prosecutors turned over to Kelly's defense team a DVD that alleges to show Kelly having sex with an underage girl in the 1990s. Get notified about exclusive offers every week! With Jordin Sparks, Whitney Houston, Derek Luke, Mike Epps. Sparkle testified at trial in 2008 that the man in the video was Mr. Kelly, and that the girl was her 14-year-old niece. The woman, who is now in her 30s and had been identified by singer Sparkle as her niece, had refused to testify against R. Kelly in his 2008 trial, which resulted in his acquittal. The woman who is known as an early protg of Kelly in the 1990s and goes by the stage name Sparkle had previously testified in Kelly's 2008 trial and the 'Surviving R. Kelly' documentary as she had identified her niece as the girl in a porn video that circulated in Chicago. Its no secret the original R Kelly having relations with a minor (allegedly) video was all over the streets on VHS. But now people are seeing.". Apple Music Film, TV & Stage. Genson suggested that Sparkle next tried to conspire with former Kelly manager Barry Hankerson "about doing something bad to Robert. Sparkle has responded in a video (see below) to her nieces testimony: Absolutely NOT!! According to THE CUT Sparkle, whose real name is Stephanie Edwards, has been trying to convince the world that Kelly sexually abused her teenage niece. The alleged victim on the tape is also the niece of the singer Sparkle, whom Kelly mentored as an artist early in her career. Surviving R.Kelly: The Final Chapter Sheds Light On Singers Alleged Feces Force-Feeding Ritual And Intimate Footage Of Aaliyah, Jailhouse Drop: Streaming Platforms Remove R. Kelly I Admit It Album, Singer Calls The Pied Piper Prison Production A Bootleg, More Punishment Pending: Pied Piper R. Kelly Found Guilty On Six Counts In Federal Child Pornography Trial, testimony did not sit well with Sparkle, who reacted to her neices claims online after someone asked her, Are you the aunt who had that child rub R. Kellys head? Picture Perfect Poster Girl: Taylour Paige Stars As "Boogie's" Leading Lady, UPDATE: Jesseca Dupart Denies That LisaRaye Found Out About Da Brat's Pregnancy Via Social Media, Your Weekly Helping Of Tidday Meats & Treats On The Gram, Cougar Chronicles! The video was of a man urinating on a little girl while she called him daddy. Last week in court R. Kelly's original case, Sparkles niece at 30 plus years took the stand to testify. Still, she admitted, she hadn't had the same level of success on her sophomore album with Motown as she did with her Kelly-produced debut, and she hadn't received any royalties from Kelly. Offset Changes Instagram Avatar to Takeoff Photo After His Death. Last week, Kellywas arrested for an additional 13 counts of federal sex trafficking and child pornography charges. She was my heart.". But I didnt know that a bomb was coming.. However, her sister Valerie didn't want to do anything about the tape, and the family became divided. Sparkles niece recently confronted something against her aunt and as a result, Sparkle claimed that her niece had lied about her. Fast forwarding to now, R Kelly pretty much got a life sentence plus he still has more charges to face. "I wanted this to go away. One of the disgraced singer's former artists has stepped forward to defend herself in the ongoing R. Kelly trial. "She's my niece. Naked Pic of Serena Williams Goes Viral! He has pleaded not guilty. The partnership between the two dissipated over creative differences, leading her to amicably ask for release from the label, according to MTV. Jurors and observers heard the gory details from the 14-year-old, who disclosed that the singer began grooming the 14-year-old victim and began having sex with her at just 15 years old when Kelly was around 30 years old. Are you the aunt who had that child rub R. Kellys head? Our societys awareness and understanding of sexual assault has increased while Kellys funds have dwindled. 6 2019, Updated 5:51 a.m. Her family also wouldnt be a witness for prosecutors, but things are different now. [article id="1587950"]The mother of another friend of the alleged girl on the tape[/article] cried when she talked about seeing the tape for the first time and recognizing her daughter's friend, saying she was "100 percent certain" it was her by her face, her hairstyle and her voice. We later found out that the alleged little girl was the niece of R&B singer Sparkle best know for her smash hit slow cut Be Careful with R. Kelly himself. Sparkle was born Stephanie Edwards on May 13, 1975 in Chicago, Illinois. Sparkle also heard the news of her niece's testimony and took to Instagram to discuss the allegations. She also attested to having sexual encounters with the singer hundreds of times since the age of 14. If convicted, Kelly would face the maximum of 195 years in prison. In 2001, the singer Sparkle (seen above in the 2019 Lifetime series Surviving R Kelly), whose real name is Stephanie Edwards, went public with allegations that R Kelly sexually assaulted her niece . "Surviving R.Kelly," a Lifetime docu-series that's airing in six parts on three nights about musician R. Kelly, has reinvigorated the public's interest in the long list of accusations made against the controversial singer. She began her career in 1998 as a protg of fellow Chicago native R. Kelly. Sparkle claimed that her niece met Kelly when she was 12. I cant help the lies told on me & under oath at all & cause ya momma mad at me cause yall were FORCED to testify FAQ + Create an Account / Login. Sparkle was Kelly's protge in the 90's. The singer agreed to testify in the 2008 trial and identified Kelly as the man in the video and her niece as the girl. (Genson tripped her up on cross, when she said she was never in possession of the tape, even though her brother and his ex-wife had testified that she was.) Earlier this week, Kelly who wore ankle shackles along with his orange jumpsuit, pled not guilty to the charges. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. The woman who is known as an early protg of Kelly in the 1990s and goes by the stage name Sparkle had previously testified in Kellys 2008 trial and the Surviving R. Kelly documentary as she had identified her niece as the girl in a porn video that circulated in Chicago. "There have been a couple that have come to light that have settled out of court, so that they would not go to criminal court," Sparkle said, referring to Kelly's settlements with Tracy Sampson and Tiffany Hawkins. "I have an ex-manager that's been on my back," he said. Heres Why. According to a federal indictment unsealed last week, Kelly gave the girl and her family gifts and money before and after the trial so she would lie to investigators, avoid questioning, and so she would not testify against him. Sparkle said in disgust. PredIQtion Markets. Home. Sparkle, who had a hit with Kelly in 1998 called "Be Careful," told radio DJ Adimu of the Beat (KKBT) on April 3 that her niece was a fledging rapper whom she introduced to Kelly. Whats The Deal With This R. Kelly Album That Dropped? At times sniffling and dabbing her eyes and her nose with a tissue, Sparkle appeared to be on the verge of tears but remained composed, although she also became defiant when Genson had his turn and accused the R&B singer of trying to take revenge against Kelly for terminating her record-label contract. Sparkle, the girl in the picture and a few others confirmed it was said niece, but the rest of the nieces family said it was . Stephanie Edwards (born May 13, 1975), better known by her stage name Sparkle, is an American R&B singer. People in Kelly's circle interviewed in "Surviving R. Kelly" claim to have seen the woman on the singer's property multiple times in recent years. The woman, who is now in her 30s and had been identified by singer Sparkle as her niece, had refused to testify against R. Kelly in his 2008 trial, which resulted in his acquittal. "I know my family. The victim in the video did notcooperate with prosecutors in the original case, but finally agreed to workwith the government after Kelly was arrested in 2019. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. because you deserve it! Kelly is now facing state and federal charges including sexual assault, obstruction of justice, child pornography, and racketeering. She said she regretted bringing her niece to Kelly's studio and later his home -- "my mistake," Sparkle said. During an Instagram broadcast, she decided to put a few things in context.. Experience Celebrating The Life Of De La Souls Trugoy The Dove, Tennessee GOP Representative Sorry After Suggesting Hanging By Tree For Executions, C-Murder Reveals Hunger Strike, Claims Health Has Significantly Declined Due To Prison Conditions, TikTok Celebrates Visionary Voices In Black Creatives For Black History Month, R. Kellys Sisters Believe His 30-Year Sentence Is Rooted In Racism. Kellys defense team had argued that the girl and Kelly could not be identified in the tape, and some jurors said the girls refusal to testify made it difficult to convict him. Sparkle said that she had discussions with Hankerson, who was also Aaliyah's uncle, about signing to his Blackground record label about two weeks before Aaliyah's death in 2001, but that discussions fell apart. "Hampton spoke to me and spoke to my management," Edwards continued. Sparkle stated that her niece was "doing the will of her mom," who she says has allegiance to R. Kelly. Since the news of her niece's cooperation has been made public, Sparkle says she is thrilled. Those suspicions were heightened after a now-infamous video, which shows Kelly intimately engaging. At the time, she and her family denied her appearance in the video and refused to testify. Sparkle claimed that her niece met Kelly when she was 12. "Sparkle" featured a duet with Kelly, titled "Be Careful.". "It's hurtful to my sister, to my brother-in-law and to my niece, especially, because it's all her. In the old video footage, Kelly can be seen engaging in sex acts with the young girl, whom he also urinates on. On Tuesday, after Kelly pleaded not guilty to the federal charges, a Chicago judge ordered him to remain behind bars without bond, where hes being kept away from general population for safety reasons. ", Genson then made a comment about the girl on the tape looking like a willing participant. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our updated Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Sparkle Addresses Niece's Testimony Against R. Kelly The singer used social media to "put a few things in context." By DeMicia Inman August 22, 2022 4:12pm Singer R. Kelly leaves the. Singer Sparkle was the only member from the girls family to testify against Kelly in 2008, identifying her niece in the tape. Stephanie Edwards, a singer known as Sparkle, testified at R. Kelly's 2008 trial. She grew up in Chicago, Illinois and first met Kelly in 1989. Sparkle did, however, testify against Kelly when he was on trial for child porn that featured her niece. Sparkle is claiming that the victims mother was also upset at her, and the victims testimony was aimed at getting back at her for going against Kelly. In 2002, the singer Sparkle, whose real name is Stephanie Edwards, claimed her niece was the underage girl in an infamous sex video featuring R. Kelly. Of course Im in full unwavering support of them and their act of courage.. Best known by her stage name, Sparkle rose to prominence as a member of R. Kelly's Rockland Records and was the first artist to release a single on the label. Singer Sparkle was the only member from the girl's family to testify against Kelly in 2008, identifying her niece in the tape. For years, Sparkle has made claims about Kelly allegedly abusing her niece . Creator of Bridget EEs Bloghouse, a A Place Where Real Music Is Previewed and Reviewed. His first albums. Among the issues covered in the investigatory program were allegations made by a former Kelly protege, Stephanie "Sparkle" Edwards. There's no denying it,' she says on the stand. Sparkle first introduced her then-12-year-old niece to Kelly in 1997 a decision that still haunts her to this day. You may recall in the 2008 trial against Kelly, the girl in the tape along with her family members refused to testify against the singer. Photo Credit: Gary Miller for Getty Images). Stephanie "Sparkle" Edwards, a recording artist as well, was born on May 13, 1975. This decades-long history of abuse was documented through witness and survivor testimony in the dream hampton produced documentary Surviving R. Kelly which aired on Lifetime this past January. A post shared by Sparkle (Stephanie Edwards) (@isparklei). Trust me.". Fourteen witnesses had identified the girl in the video during the 20018 trial, but she and members of her family did not testify. "I'm beyond pleased to finally hear the mountain I've tirelessly worked on moving over the. She eventually became a key witness in Kelly's 2008 child pornography case, claiming that the young girl in the video in question was her 14-year-old niece. The Times. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. He did say, however, that not all the evidence had been revealed (see [article id="1453299"]"R. Kelly Settles Civil Suit, Defends Himself On Radio"[/article]). Meanwhile, Sparkle, real name Stephanie Edwards, has come out in her own defence and claims that her niece has lied on the stand as she did not push her to be involved with Kelly. R. Kelly's former protg Stephanie Edwards, who recorded under the name Sparkle, also spoke on the verdict. One of the disgraced singers former artists has stepped forward to defend herself in the ongoing R. Kelly trial. Sparkle has publicly spoken out against Kelly in multiple formats, including in the 2019 Surviving R. Kelly docuseries that led to his most recent charges and convictions. "You couldn't break the chain with us. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), singer began grooming the 14-year-old victim and began having sex with her at just 15 years, Prosecutors are pushing for another conviction, R. Kelly being sentenced to 30 years in prison, R. Kelly and Joycelyn Savages Father Denies She Gave Birth To His Baby, R. Kellys Unauthorized Album I Did It Removed From Streaming Services, DJ Envy, Lil Mama, Erica Mena Calls Out Angela Yee Over Breakfast Club Claims, Nicki Minaj Launches Own Record Label, Skeng Among First Signees, Popcaan and Squash 6ixx Boss Clash On IG Igniting Beef, Nicki Minaj New Song Red Ruby Da Sleeze Debut At No. And earlier this week, lawyer Michael Avenatti who gave a tape of Kelly and a young girl to the Cook County States Attorney in February said the singer gave the girl in the tape and her family $2 million to remain silent. Sparkle Net Worth: Sparkle is an American R&B singer who has a net worth of $600 thousand. Please say its not you., Takeoff Shot in Head and Torso, According to Coroner Report, Aaron Carter Pulled Over On Suspicion Of DUI While Driving RV. Singer Sparkle has refuted testimony made by a witness recognized as Jane in R. Kellys criminal trial, where he faces charges for child pornography. That I should rub his head and ask him to take that role in my life., Sparkle denied any wrongdoing when a social media user questioned her about being the aunt who was mentioned during the testimony. An exchange between two ex-lovers? The Jane Doe witness, who allegedly was a minor when she first met Kelly but is now an adult, reportedly told the court that Sparkle instructed her to ask Kelly to be her godfather. READ: Report: R. Kellys Former Staffers Gave Feds 20 More Sex Tapes with Minors. In the recent federal indictment, he was accused of paying off the girl and her family so they would lie for him and not cooperate with investigators. Absolutely NOT! The Times reports, her lawyer says she is now cooperating with authorities. 3 min read Singer Sparkle has refuted testimony made by a witness recognized as "Jane" in R.. Unsurprisingly, that testimony did not sit well with Sparkle, who reacted to her neices claims online after someone asked her, Are you the aunt who had that child rub R. Kellys head? Latest dancehall and hip hop news and music at your fingertips. She writes for Thirsty for News, covering world news and entertainment. Sparkle first started singing in her fa Stephanie Edwards (born May 13, 1975), better known by her stage name Sparkle is an American RB singer. She says "There have been too many girls to count. In another video she released, Sparkle claimed that the claim was an absolute f**king lie. She added she had indeed introduced Kelly to the victim and her mother and father, but it was not her intention for her to become involved with the singer. The "Better Be Careful" singer was one of the first people to go public about . I also did not want that person to be me, Jane testified. He is accused of perpetrating these acts against 12 women, at least eight of which were underage at the time he was sexually involved with them. The co-defendants in the case are Derrel McDavid, a former business manager who faces child pornography and obstruction charges, and Milton June Brown, Kellys former assistant, who faces one count of conspiracy to receive child pornography. Sparkle: Directed by Salim Akil. Vibe is a part of Penske Media Corporation. There are a lot of people who are very jealous of me right now and they're trying to destroy me.". 2023 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. Since the alleged R. Kelly sex tapes first hit the media two months ago, the primary question has been if the girl featured on the 27-minute tape, currently under investigation by the Chicago police, was actually underage, since her identity had been kept hidden. Following the allegations made in court, Sparkle took to social media to issue a video statement denying the claims. Of course Im in full unwavering support of them and their act of courage!, Kim Kardashian Lands Olympic Partnership Deal, Shapewear Line To Be Worn By Team USA Athletes, She Tried It: Inahsi Naturals Aloe Hibiscus Leave-In Conditioner & Detangler, She Tried It: Ivy Park Drip 2 and 2.2 Black Pack, Prioritize Your Skincare With These Tips For Melanin-Rich Complexions, Burts Bees Skincare Works Harder, Not Harsher, 11 Black Celebrities Who Say They're Not African American, 'Bernie Mac Show' Stars Camille Winbush And Dee Dee Davis Get Chewed Out For Joining OnlyFans, 8 Famous Lesbian Women Who Were Married To Men. "Anger? 2 on the R&B charts and was certified gold soon after . "We've had contact all along with the girl's family," Chicago police spokesperson Officer Pat Camden said. Sparkle, wearing a touch of silver glitter on her face, testified that in December 2001, she got a phone call from an attorney telling her that a relative of hers was on a sex tape she needed to see, at which point an associate of the attorney's came to her home and played her the tape. Lets continue to pray for healing in this family. Sparkle went on to sign with Motown Records and released a second album, titled "Told You So," in 2000. Genson accused Sparkle of being bitter and characterized the end of her working relationship with Kelly as a firing. | Follow on Twitter: @BridgetEE and IG: @Bridgetee26, Source: MadameNoire.com/iOne Digital / MadameNoire. Twitter Debates 16-Year Age Gap Between Jaylen Brown & Mouthwatering Meemaw Bernice Burgos, Barbie Gyal Nicki Minaj Returns From Hiatus And Sets Di Road Ablaze At Trinidad Carnival 2023, Rain Pon Meeee: Ashanti Reminds Everyone How Feathered And FINE She Was At Trinidad Carnival 2019, Chaka Khan Shows No Mercy Blasting Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey & Other Names On Rolling Stone's 'Greatest Singers' List, Funniest (And Pettiest) Tweets From NBA All-Star Weekend 2023. Career. While the survivors have now found justice, Sparkle said she still feels guilty for introducing her niece to Kelly in 1997. When I learned that, I would go out of my way to speak to people just to tick him off. His response thus far has been that the tapes are fabricated and that he's been blackmailed. The singer used social media to "put a few things in context.". I believe that [the police] have a lot that they are actually going to bring to light.". In her free time, she enjoys traveling and exploring new places. If you are in your 40s you have seen the video (whether you want to admit it or not). Sparkle: Directed by Sam O'Steen. Source: Chicago Tribune / Getty Earlier this week, the disgraced singer and his legal team appeared in a Chicago court, where Kelly faces several criminal charges. As you can imagine, all this drama derailed Sparkle's career. According to . As of today, they're still investigating the situation. If convicted, he'd have to register as a sex offender. According to a report in The New York Times, the young girl who appeared in the infamous tape that showed the R&B singer performing sex acts and urinating on the then-14-year-old is now cooperating with prosecutors. Sparkle explained that this is a result of a "family feud," which has led to her being a target of lies from her niece, who Sparkle feels lied about her on the stand out of loyalty to her mother. Music Videos. We were very cordial.". Ivie is a Nigerian-American, native New Yorker, and journalist covering, Report: R. Kellys Former Staffers Gave Feds 20 More Sex Tapes with Minors, R. Kelly Sentenced to 20 Years For Child Sex Crimes, R. Kelly Silenced Aaliyah & Her Family With Non-Disclosure Agreement After 1995 Marriage Annulment, Watch the Trailer For Surviving R. Kelly Part III: The Final Chapter. R. Kelly was later acquitted of all charges. Prosecutors say he victimized 12 women, at least eight of whom were underage at the time of the events. For full coverage of R. Kelly, see "The R. Kelly Reports.". - YouTube 0:00 / 25:48 Intro EXPOSED: PROOF Sparkle PIMPED Her Niece To R Kelly!| Andrea Kelly. Kelly is facing multiple sexual assault charges and is being held without bail. Sparkle Live Music (@sparklelivemusic) Instagram photos and videos sparklelivemusic 731 posts 1,870 followers 467 following Sparkle Live Music Musician/band We play your dream music soundtrack Put a Sparkle in your big day. Sparkle has since thanked "Surviving R. Kelly" producer Dream Hampton for once again bringing attention to the alleged crimes. Her testimony sliced her family into factions, relegating her to years of . "She's like a robot." Please read our Comment Policy before commenting. People are trying to make money off my music and my name in a very, very negative way. While the witness is addressed in court as Jane, her story included identifying details, including that she is Sparkles niece. At the time, Sparkle was largely ignored by the media. In this courtroom sketch, a woman who goes by pseudonym Jane, left, testifies in R. Kellys trial in federal court, Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Chicago. "But until our investigation is complete, we can't confirm or deny that [Sparkle is the girl's aunt]." Sparkle said that she regrets not being a better protector of her niece. When R. Kelly was acquitted on child pornography charges in 2008, jurors reportedly said it was because the 14-year-old girl he was accused of sexually assaulting on video refused to testify. She said that his acquittal then affected her view of the #MeToo movement a decade later. But after the meeting, "There was one side and another side," she said. Without Wayne Shorters Weather Report, Jazz Rap Wouldnt Be What It Is, Fans Are Overjoyed to See De La Soul Albums on DSPs, 9 New Hip-Hop & R&B Albums You Should Be Listening To (Week of March 3), Larry June & The Alchemist Announce Joint Album The Great Escape. Bossip Video Sparkle, the aunt of an R Kelly victim, is claiming her niece is lying on the stand as she testifies about her experience with the singer as a 14-year-old. Sparkle continued, This is another form of the terrible decision-making of her mom and in my opinion, the unfortunate continuing allegiance to Robert.. Muskan Sharma is a law student at Calcutta University. Who, do you believe, is lying? Sparkle first started singing in her family's gospel music group. Kelly is on trial in Chicago for child pornography and charges that he rigged his 2008 trial to secure his freedom by intimidating the witnesses and using money to make the victim disappear. You just know your family. Anyway, this tape leaked and Sparkle recognised it to be her niece, other people did too and that's when R Kelly facing his trial of raping a minor, filming it etc was in courts (that tape being the one he peed on her). According to the niece that is identified as Jane Doe, her aunt said,That I should rub his head and ask him to take that role in my life. as the young teens Godfather. 2023 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. She also spoke out in September 2021 after the singerwas convictedof nine counts of racketeering and sex-trafficking charges, and sentenced to 30 years behind bars. In her video, Sparkle read a statement from her phone and said, "Not all that you heard yesterday from my niece is true. A new development in the case has resulted from the Sparkles nieces recent admission of the truth. Sparkle niece is still with R kelly - YouTube Sparkle niece is still with R kelly Capricorn Queen 1.74K subscribers Subscribe 424 Share 169K views 4 years ago #SurvivingRkelly. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google. On Friday, Sparkle took to social media to denounce some of the claims made by her niece on the stand. Back in 2008, Kelly ended up being acquitted on charges of child pornography. Sound it in the comments. Uh Oh! "She's doing exactly what he told her to do. The singer expressed hurt and called the testimony a result of their "family feud." In addition, Sparkle revealed that her niece attempting to implicate her in the case is an "absolute will of her mom" and an "unfortunate . Will No Longer Be Pursuing These Indictments: Chicago Prosecutor Drops Sex-Abuse Charges Against Singer R. Kelly Months After Conviction. Sparkle has openly confronted the fact that her niece has lied about her in court.
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