Following the allegations made in court, Sparkle took to social media to issue a video statement denying the claims. . "I just shied away from the industry. Sparkle has long asserted that her niece was abused by Kelly. "You couldn't break the chain with us. As of today, they're still investigating the situation. "I wanted this to go away. 2023 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. What do you think about the matter? The Times reports, her lawyer says she is now cooperating with authorities. It's very upsetting. At the time, she and her family denied her appearance in the video and refused to testify. According to reports, Sparkle was allegedly suggested by the niece. Kelly has been charged with multiple sex crimes involving four women, three of whom were underage at the time of the alleged encounters. Stephanie Edwards (born May 13, 1975), better known by her stage name Sparkle, is an American R&B singer. ", Sparkle said that she regrets not being a better protector of her niece. Though praising her niece for finally cooperating with prosecutors, the singer says that she is at the center of a . Both have pleaded not guilty. 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. The long-running criminal case of R. Kelly consistently takes strange turns that leaves fans perplexed and for which the case becomes more complicated. Trust me.". Trust me. Bop Shop: Songs From J-Hope And J. 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The alleged victim on the tape is also the niece of the singer Sparkle, whom Kelly mentored as an artist early in her career. When she watched the recording, she said, she recognized her niece, "You know your blood," Sparkle said. Several witnesses identified the singer and the girl to authorities afterward, but Kelly was still acquitted of 14 child pornography charges on June 13, 2008. Sparkle also heard the news of her niece's testimony and took to Instagram to discuss the allegations. ), "I watched a few seconds of it, and I refused to watch the rest," Adra Gengler testified. As of now, Sparkles niece and her attorney have yet to respond to Sparkles claim she lied on the stand. ", Genson then made a comment about the girl on the tape looking like a willing participant. 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. READ: Report: R. Kellys Former Staffers Gave Feds 20 More Sex Tapes with Minors. 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 a contentious court battle, Edwards testified against Kelly in 2008, according to ET Online. Sparkle talked about her niece working with the feds and said she couldn't be more thrilled about it. At the time, Sparkle identified the child in the video as her niece. 3 on the Billboard 200 and No. His Masters Are Missing: New R. Kelly Music, I Admit, Unauthorized, Pulled from Streaming Services, The Man is In Prison: Tevin Campbell Receives Backlash After Stating R. Kelly Could Go Against Usher In a Verzuz Battle. She says "There have been too many girls to count. Singer Sparkle, who formerly recorded with Kelly, says Landfair is her niece. "He made her do [those sexual acts]," she said. Sparkle corrected him and said she had asked to be released from her contract so she could work with other people, such as Steve Huff, Teddy Riley, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. She writes for Thirsty for News, covering world news and entertainment. According to . Its no secret the original R Kelly having relations with a minor (allegedly) video was all over the streets on VHS. The video was of a man urinating on a little girl while she called him daddy. The prosecution has not responded to the claim. Kelly got emotional during the sit-down and alleged that he is "fighting for his . Send us a tip using our anonymous form. In our exclusive interview, she shared that the decision cost her the relationship with her family. black entertainment news, parenting tips and beauty secrets that are specifically for black women. Sparkle testified that she then called a family meeting so her other relatives could see the tape for themselves. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! But after R. and I parted ways, it was me not watching over her. It's disgusting. 2023 Vibe Media, LLC. Stephanie Edwards, a singer known as Sparkle, testified at R. Kelly's 2008 trial. Sparkle has always admitted to introducing her then-12-year-old niece to Kelly, a decision she has said she's haunted by. I've been blackmailed for the last four years, and I didn't give in, and I'm still not gonna give in. At the time, Sparkle was largely ignored by the media. TikTok video from Samke Ndlovu INdlovu (@samkeindlovukaz): "#Aunty and Niece Challenge ". 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." We talked about business. 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. The Times. Recording artist Stephanie "Sparkle" Edwards accused R. Kelly of having sex with her 14-year-old niece at his 2008 trial. To what degree, singer, Sparkle's niece, is cooperating with authorities is still not official. 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. 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. Sparkle Claims Her Niece Lied About Her In R. Kelly Case, Kelly Osbourne Shares Adorable First Photo of Baby Son Hanging Out with Uncle Jack, UFC Ring Girl Arianny Celeste Sizzles In Black Bikini Beach Photo Drop, Cardi B Reveals First Close-Up Look At Her Latest Face Tattoo For Son Wave, Chelsea Stokes & Kelsea Ballerini Kiss For The First Time In Public As A Couple, Avril Lavigne and Tyga Spotted Hanging Out Amid Separation from Mod Sun, 2022 Thirsty for News. 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. But after the meeting, "There was one side and another side," she said. I cant help he lies told on me & under oath at the.. & cause ya Momma mad at me cause yall were FORCED to testify.. [shrug emoji].. Stay tuned to Thirsty for more updates. It's very upsetting to my family. Knowing that theres no right answer to explain their ongoing actions and years of support for Robert once learning about that tape, the clear plan is to try and take me down because Ive been so vocal, she explained. "I have an ex-manager that's been on my back," he said. R. Kellys new case may end differently than his last. Modern Movie Musical Essentials. For full coverage of the ongoing R. Kelly case, see The R. Kelly Trial Reports. However, her sister Valerie didn't want to do anything about the tape, and the family became divided. But now people are seeing.". 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. Flavor Of Love Reality Star Deelishis' Niece Reportedly Killed in Mass Shooting; Baddies West Season 3 Fights: Stunna Girl vs. Everybody; 50 Cent Inks Non-Exclusive Broadcast Deal With Fox; Cardi B & Offset Meal Launches at McDonald's on Valentine's Day; Leilani Capalot - T Shirt Music Video & BTS | Video Zone "It's crazy and torn up, in every way imaginable," she said. Sparkles niece ended up in court before the side settle, and Sparkle who said she rode for her niece, fell out with Robert Kelly, however her family turned their back on her in the fallout out of everything. Atlanta Black Star is a narrative company. For the past 20 years, Sparkle, whose real name is Stephanie Edwards, has been trying to convince the world that Kelly sexually abused her teenage niece. Sparkle is best known for her 1998 R&B debut hit single 'Be Careful '. Sparkle first introduced her then-12-year-old niece to Kelly in 1997 a decision that still haunts her to this day. The singer used social media to "put a few things in context.". Sparkle went on to sign with Motown Records and released a second album, titled "Told You So," in 2000. This ongoing R. Kelly trial has caused one of the disgraced singer's former artists to come forward to defend herself. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our updated Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Custom Content Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand . Who wouldn't be [disgusted]? 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. We've joined the BHM Digital family of websites and have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. But in 2001, when she actually witnessed the tape herself, she didn't hesitate to call. Activity. seek information on a wide variety of topics including African-American hair care, health issues, relationship Sparkle (Stephanie Edwards) (@isparklei) Instagram photos and videos isparklei Follow 180 posts 27.5K followers 395 following Sparkle (Stephanie Edwards) Musician Obstacle Course EP - 7/13 Response To The Verdict @thecut Life Feat. I went at it alone. Sparkle has since thanked "Surviving R. Kelly" producer Dream Hampton for once again bringing attention to the alleged crimes. 11 Songs. "We've had contact all along with the girl's family," Chicago police spokesperson Officer Pat Camden said. But things have changed since 2008. Uh Oh! Sparkle claimed that her niece met Kelly when she was 12. 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 . 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. Sparkle stated that her niece was "doing the will of her mom," who she says has allegiance to R. Kelly. Sparkle said in disgust. Like she said on "Surviving R. Kelly," Sparkle reiterated that she was naive at the . Muskan Sharma is a law student at Calcutta University. 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. "Anger? 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. 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. While a lot of people thinking that Sparkle was the one who introduced her niece to R Kelly and left her there, she explains that there were many other family members more involved than she was. Cardi B and Offset Meal Boycotted By Several McDonalds Franchise Owners, Gary Owens Estranged Wife Clowns His New Boo On The Gram, Da Brat Reveals Shes Pregnant at 48, Expecting Baby With Wife Jesseca Judy Dupart, R. Kelly Sentenced to 20 Years for Child Sex Crimes in Illinois. Kids edition - Orlando And Sparkle. "But until our investigation is complete, we can't confirm or deny that [Sparkle is the girl's aunt]. Last week in court R. Kellys original case, Sparkles niece at 30 plus years took the stand to testify. Singer Sparkle was the only member from the girl's family to testify against Kelly in 2008, identifying her niece in the tape. Singer Sparkle was the only member from the girl's family to testify against Kelly in 2008, identifying her niece in the tape. "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. he asked. While the witness is addressed in court as Jane, her story included identifying details, including that she is Sparkles niece. 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. Close Menu. She was my heart.". 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 . Kelly faces 14 counts of child pornography -- seven for directing, seven for producing. Profession: Singer. 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. On Friday, Sparkle took to social media to denounce some of the claims made by her niece on the stand. Photo Credit: Gary Miller for Getty Images). Singer Sparkle found herself in the middle of R. Kellys federal child pornography trial. Featured On. While the survivors have now found justice, Sparkle said she still feels guilty for introducing her niece to Kelly in 1997. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google. 2023 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. MadameNoire Copyright 2023 BossipMadameNoire, LLC All Rights Reserved | BHM Digital, a federal indictment, of paying the girl and her father to lie to investigators. The woman claimed that Kelly agreed to serve as her godfather and that her parents had given their blessing. Since the news of her niece's cooperation has been made public, Sparkle says she is thrilled. Sparkle was horrified when she discovered that it was her niece at the center of Kelly's 2002 child pornography indictment. While her immediate family as well as the girl herself have yet to step forward, a former protg of R. Kelly has told a Los Angeles radio station that the girl on the tape is her niece, whom she says was 14 at the time the tape was made. 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. Fast forwarding to now, R Kelly pretty much got a life sentence plus he still has more charges to face. Look Inside The DA.I.S.Y. She added that there is a family feud, and the victims testimony is a clear plan to try to take her down.. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Genson accused Sparkle of being bitter and characterized the end of her working relationship with Kelly as a firing. Nope, Sparkle didn't take a payout meanwhile R sending them on trips and paying for their houses. Kelly would ultimately be acquitted on charges pertaining to the tape. 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. 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. Lets continue to pray for healing in this family. Singer Sparkle testified back then that it was her niece on the video but her niece nor anyone else in the family would corroborate her identity on the video tape. We've joined the BHM Digital family of websites and have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. She says her. She said there was no bitterness between her and Kelly over the split: "He was my homeboy. Sparkle, however, disputed the witness account after a social media user questioned her about it. Sparkle prayed for her niece to one day tell the truth and shame the devil and for them to be a family again. 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. Sparkle Net Worth: Sparkle is an American R&B singer who has a net worth of $600 thousand. That's it.". I cant help he lies told on me & under oath at the.. & cause ya Momma mad at me cause yall were FORCED to testify.. [shrug emoji]. put a few things in context,. We were tight, tight, tight." In @nytimes Feat. Kellys trial is ongoing, with the sex tapes of other underaged victims set to be played for jurors. "Like she's a prostitute!" Naked Pic of Serena Williams Goes Viral! "I had a nasty taste in my mouth after seeing what I saw, and after many people, you know, didn't want me to speak out," Edwards told ET. Absolutely NOT! She got . "I know my family. 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. She began her career in 1998 as a protg of fellow Chicago native R. Kelly. (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.) Will No Longer Be Pursuing These Indictments: Chicago Prosecutor Drops Sex-Abuse Charges Against Singer R. Kelly Months After Conviction. 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. Though Kelly has talked to local Chicago media about the scandal, he hasn't addressed a lot of the questions people have about the tapes. She would go on to release a successful self-titled album in 1998, which debuted at #3 on the Billboard charts. R Kellys Sister Says Hes The Victim of Lies & Racism, C-Murder On A Hunger Strike Protesting Prison Conditions, Meet Kym Sellers Family First Storm Shyanne Sellers [VIDEO], Maryland Mayor Arrested On 56 Counts Of Child Pornography. 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. Im beyond pleased to finally hear the mountain Ive tirelessly worked on moving over the years is now being assisted with the help of my niece and her parents!
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