She pointed out that during this time period, she ran into Kelly at a family bowling event, and he gave her his number and invited her to come down to the studio, to illustrate that there was no bad blood between them, however much Genson tried to imply it. She went on to claim that Sparkle was the one who introduced her to Kelly, saying her auntencouraged her to rub Kellys headand sit on his lap. "We've had contact all along with the girl's family," Chicago police spokesperson Officer Pat Camden said. We were a gospel group just years prior so me thinking about them for them was partly programmed in meagain, Because Robert was given the opportunity to have his own imprint, record label, I introduced my sister, my brother-in-law and my niece to Robert at CRC studios in 1997 in hopes of landing my niece a career in this industry, not a concert as she testified, Sparkle said. At the time, the niece had denied it was her, although she changed her testimony on the stand on Thursday to confirm that it was her in the video. Fourteen witnesses had identified the girl in the video during the 20018 trial, but she and members of her family did not testify. There's no denying it. 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. Sparkle met singer R. Kelly in 1989. She says "There have been too many girls to count. Sparkle, however, disputed the witness account after a social media user questioned her about it. "She's like a robot." This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google. It's very upsetting to my family. Close Menu. Photo Credit: Gary Miller for Getty Images). If convicted, he'd have to register as a sex offender. Last week, Kellywas arrested for an additional 13 counts of federal sex trafficking and child pornography charges. Please say its not you., Sparkle replied, Absolutely NOT! That's it.". Kellys trial is ongoing, with the sex tapes of other underaged victims set to be played for jurors. Sparkle went on to sign with Motown Records and released a second album, titled "Told You So," in 2000. We want to hear from you! Bop Shop: Songs From J-Hope And J. 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All Rights Reserved, Follow Us on Snapchat for All Our Breaking News, Kelly was accused of abusing Sparkles niece, Offset and Quavo Spotted Sitting Apart at NBA Game Following Alleged GRAMMY Argument, Drake Wagers Half a Million Dollars on Jon Jones Victory at UFC 285, Soulja Boy Performs In Front Of Seemingly Low-Energy Crowd At Rolling Loud. We've joined the BHM Digital family of websites and have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. - YouTube 0:00 / 25:48 Intro EXPOSED: PROOF Sparkle PIMPED Her Niece To R Kelly!| Andrea Kelly. 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. But in 2001, when she actually witnessed the tape herself, she didn't hesitate to call. Featured On. BridgetEE: A Music and Entertainment blogger/ Historian / Global Grind Freelance Writer Will No Longer Be Pursuing These Indictments: Chicago Prosecutor Drops Sex-Abuse Charges Against Singer R. Kelly Months After Conviction. ", Sparkle said that she regrets not being a better protector of her niece. During an Instagram broadcast, she decided to put a few things in context.. She grew up in Chicago, Illinois and first met Kelly in 1989. ", More cases against R. Kelly will come forward, Sparkle predicted, if they don't settle out of court first. I'm happy to see the #MeToo movement and Time's Up movement are backing these women. Now lets observe what transpires in the court. 3 min read Singer Sparkle has refuted testimony made by a witness recognized as "Jane" in R.. Sparkle said in disgust. Sparkle: Directed by Sam O'Steen. At the time, she and her family denied her appearance in the video and refused to testify. 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. MadameNoire Copyright 2023 BossipMadameNoire, LLC All Rights Reserved | BHM Digital, a federal indictment, of paying the girl and her father to lie to investigators. 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 victims aunt is a singer named Sparkle, who agreed to testify in the 2008 trial and identified Kelly as the man in the video and her niece as the girl. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our updated Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. "She kept coming down with me," she told the station, "which was [a] safe [situation] at the time. Singer Sparkle was the only member from the girls family to testify against Kelly in 2008, identifying her niece in the tape. Sparkle did, however, testify against Kelly when he was on trial for child porn that featured her niece. Muskan Sharma is a law student at Calcutta University. 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. Our societys awareness and understanding of sexual assault has increased while Kellys funds have dwindled. Naked Pic of Serena Williams Goes Viral! Sparkle did try and make up for her mistake, and I don't believe her niece in saying rub his head, I believe the niece is permanently damaged by Robert and her parents and her parents told her to say that to take the blame off of them. Singer Sparkle, who formerly recorded with Kelly, says Landfair is her niece. The prosecution has not responded to the claim. Prosecutors believe that there were many more girls, beyond the initially cited 12, who were victim to Kellys abuse. Genson suggested that Sparkle next tried to conspire with former Kelly manager Barry Hankerson "about doing something bad to Robert. Uh Oh! Those suspicions were heightened after a now-infamous video, which shows Kelly intimately engaging. Sparkle claimed that her niece met Kelly when she was 12. ", Genson then made a comment about the girl on the tape looking like a willing participant. I was ashamed.. According to reports, Sparkle was allegedly suggested by the niece. Stay tuned to Thirsty for more updates. The woman disclosed that her aunt and her parents knew about her being around Kelly. Fast forwarding to now, R Kelly pretty much got a life sentence plus he still has more charges to face. 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. "I just shied away from the industry. In our exclusive interview, she shared that the decision cost. Its not clear to what extent shes working with investigators, but her attorney, Christopher L. Brown, confirmed that she is indeed cooperating. Sparkle says she became suspicious of R. Kelly's involvement with her teenage niece in 2001. So I feel a responsibility for that also, although I'm not responsible for his actions, I feel responsible for even taking her there. His first albums. 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. She began her career in 1998 as a protg of fellow Chicago native R. Kelly. "A lot of people know about it, but when the smoke clears, you guys will really be able to know exactly what is going on. In @nytimes Feat. According to The New York Times, the girl in the video is now working with investigators after the disgraced singer was arrested last week on a slew of federal charges, including sex trafficking, child pornography and obstruction of justice. I Never, Ever Left My Niece Alone In The Studio: Sparkle Shares What Was Left Out Of "Surviving R. Kelly" Posted on January 16, 2019 - By Veronica Wells MadameNoire Featured Video Sparkle first introduced her then-12-year-old niece to Kelly in 1997 a decision that still haunts her to this day. 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. "You have no idea whether this was put together by someone trying to get money from Robert, do you?" Apple Music Film, TV & Stage. Contribute to Atlanta Black Star today and help us share our narratives. Now that her niece has finished testifying, Sparkle is speaking out again - and what she's saying is EXPLOSIVE. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Advancing the culture and building bridges. To what degree, singer, Sparkle's niece, is cooperating with authorities is still not official. The girl's mother -- Sparkle's sister -- didn't want to see the tape and didn't want to talk about it, she said. There are a lot of people who are very jealous of me right now and they're trying to destroy me.". They would pretty much drop me off and then leave, she said about her parents and the introduction by her aunt. Music Videos. 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. On the stand this afternoon, Stephanie Edwards (aka R&B singer Sparkle) says that she introduced the alleged victim, a budding rapper and singer, to Kelly when the three of them met up in the. 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). Atlanta Black Star is a narrative company. Sparkle thinks that allegiance to Robert still exists. The girl I knew was always bubbly, but she seems like a robot in that video. Who wouldn't be [disgusted]? Sparkle claimed that her niece met Kelly when she was 12. Vibe is a part of Penske Media Corporation. 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. For full coverage of R. Kelly, see "The R. Kelly Reports.". 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. 5 Infamous Murder Cases Involving Athletes, Deadly Day for Rappers XXXTentacion and Wopo. "I wanted this to go away. MTV, EMA and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. 'You just know your family. The long-running criminal case of R. Kelly consistently takes strange turns that leaves fans perplexed and for which the case becomes more complicated. MadameNoire is a sophisticated lifestyle publication that gives African-American women the latest in fashion trends, Years ago, Kelly was accused of abusing Sparkles niece, but during Kellys current trial, the niece claimed that Sparkle encouraged the interactions. One of those relatives, singer Stephanie "Sparkle" Edwards, testified Thursday that she had introduced the alleged victim to Kelly, and that the girl called him her "Godfather." Home. Kelly got emotional during the sit-down and alleged that he is "fighting for his . (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.) 1 on iTunes. Singer who came to prominence in the late 90s through her collaborations with R. Kelly. In one of his few public comments on the issue, Kelly told Chicago radio station WGCI-FM in Chicago on April 4 that he couldn't comment on much of the scandal, per his attorney's advice. "But until our investigation is . Sparkle prayed for her niece to one day tell the truth and shame the devil and for them to be a family again. Sparkle, real name Stephanie Edwards, also positively identified R. Kelly as the man on the tape engaging in illegal sex with her 13-year-old niece. Nope, Sparkle didn't take a payout meanwhile R sending them on trips and paying for their houses. In her traumatic account, she recalled her aunt introducing her to Kelly and encouraging her to build a close relationship with the now-disgraced singer. 8771 1829 linktr.ee/sparklelivemusic Posts Reels Tagged Show More Posts from sparklelivemusic 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. 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. She. Sparkle talked about her niece working with the feds and said she couldn't be more thrilled about it. 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. She said this took place during a time when other members of her family also had a working relationship with the singer (Sparkle's brother-in-law, for instance, played guitar for Kelly, she said). All Rights Reserved. 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. She told me that I should ask him to be my godfather, she shared according to CNN, explaining that deepening the relationship established trust. The decades-long crusade cost the 46-year-old her closest relationships and stifled her own music career. "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. Prosecutors turned over to Kelly's defense team a DVD that alleges to show Kelly having sex with an underage girl in the 1990s. 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. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. We publish narratives intentionally and specifically to enlighten and transform the world. The singer, real name Stephanie Edwards, alleges that the girl on this videotape was her 14-year-old niece, whom she had introduced to Kelly along with other members of her family, including her . She writes for Thirsty for News, covering world news and entertainment. Creator of Bridget EEs Bloghouse, a A Place Where Real Music Is Previewed and Reviewed. 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. She's being exposed to the world. Kellys federal trial in Chicago began last week and he is faced with charges of producing and receiving child pornography, enticing minors to engage in criminal sexual activity, and obstruction charges. But now people are seeing.". Sparkle has responded in a video (see below) to her nieces testimony: Absolutely NOT!! Sparkle has openly confronted the fact that her niece has lied about her in court. She shared that she feels these are lies organized by her sister as a method of sabotage. The "Better Be Careful" singer was one of the first people to go public about . A new development in the case has resulted from the Sparkles nieces recent admission of the truth. Kelly faces 14 counts of child pornography -- seven for directing, seven for producing. A post shared by Sparkle (Stephanie Edwards) (@isparklei). Though praising her niece for finally cooperating with prosecutors, the singer says that she is at the center of a . "But there are others that haven't been spoken of that have been possibly paid off. This ongoing R. Kelly trial has caused one of the disgraced singer's former artists to come forward to defend herself.
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