R. Kelly's daughter Buku Abi broke her silence on her father's alleged sexual misconduct, which was revealed in Lifetime's six-part docuseries, Surviving R. Kelly. Abi, whose birth name is Joann Kelly, shared a lengthy message on her Instagram Stories on Thursday. It took her "three days to just find the right words" to address the accusations surrounding her father.
"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 this or affected by this," she wrote. "To the people that feel I should be speaking up/against everything that is going on right now. I just want you all to understand that devastated is an understatement for all that I feel currently. I do apologize if my silence to all that is happening comes off as careless. That is my last intention. I pray for all the families & women who have been affected by my father's actions. Trust, I have been deeply affected by all of this."
Abi, who said she has not seen or spoken to her father in years, her estrangement from Kelly was due to her "own personal reasons & for all my family has endured in regards to him, his life decisions and his last name."
"In regards to my mother [Andrea Lee Kelly], she for the same reasonings and more, has not seen or spoken to my father in years. My mother, siblings and I would never condone, support or be a part of ANYTHING negative he has done and or continues to do in his life," the young singer continued.
Andrea Kelly was married to Kelly for 13 years. Along with Abi, she shares two other children with the singer, Jay Kelly and Robert Kelly Jr.
Andrea Kelly was featured on the Lifetime docuseries, which aired from January 3 through January 5. She talked about the years of abuse and trauma endured with her ex-husband.
Abi continued: "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 & 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, to speak up."
"The same monster you all confronting me about is my father," she added. "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 & 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."
Abi ended the message writing, "this is a very difficult subject to speak on."
"To everyone who reached out to my family and I, sending good energy and love…Thank you. You guys really helped push us through this hard time. This past year for my family has been very difficult, all the love and support you all continue to show is why we keep going. You all fuel us," she concluded.
While it's unclear how many years has passed since Abi and her siblings have had contact with R. Kelly, their mother insisted their estrangement from him was not of her doing. In a statement to People magazine, released Tuesday, a rep for Andrea Kelly said the dancer "has never denied Mr. Kelly from seeing their children, he has chosen not to be around."
The rep added R. Kelly "has not tried to make contact with them"
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