By Kelly Butler. The girl I knew was always bubbly, but she seems like a robot in that video. EXPOSED: PROOF Sparkle PIMPED Her Niece To R Kelly!| Andrea Kelly & Lisa VA Have S E X Tape! Sparkle: Directed by Sam O'Steen. "I have an ex-manager that's been on my back," he said. Close Menu. For years, Sparkle has made claims about Kelly allegedly abusing her niece . His response thus far has been that the tapes are fabricated and that he's been blackmailed. Singer Sparkle was the only member from the girls family to testify against Kelly in 2008, identifying her niece in the tape. Modern Movie Musical Essentials. 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. The prosecution has not responded to the claim. In addition to child pornography, Kelly is facing state and federal charges of obstruction of justice, sexual assault and racketeering. One of the disgraced singer's former artists has stepped forward to defend herself in the ongoing R. Kelly trial. 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. I wish they were backing [me] when I was coming up and had a story to tell, but nobody believed. Sparkle, however, disputed the witness account after a social media user questioned her about it. She said that his acquittal then affected her view of the #MeToo movement a decade later. 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. 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. She writes for Thirsty for News, covering world news and entertainment. Latest dancehall and hip hop news and music at your fingertips. Sparkle has long asserted that her niece was abused by Kelly. 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! 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. "Never. Contribute to Atlanta Black Star today and help us share our narratives. Singer Sparkle has refuted testimony made by a witness recognized as Jane in R. Kellys criminal trial, where he faces charges for child pornography. 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. Sparkle's niece recently confronted something against her aunt and as a result, Sparkle claimed that her niece had lied about her. ", Genson then made a comment about the girl on the tape looking like a willing participant. 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. Kelly is facing multiple sexual assault charges and is being held without bail. I know them. Now lets observe what transpires in the court. 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. Sparkle added that she and Kelly were never romantically involved as painted by the victim. Advancing the culture and building bridges. 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. Years ago, Kelly was accused of abusing Sparkles niece, but during Kellys current trial, the niece claimed that Sparkle encouraged the interactions. ", Sparkle said that she regrets not being a better protector of her niece. Stay tuned to Thirsty for more updates. Sparkle explains that she testified against Kelly in court, although he allegedly tried to bribe her. Sparkle claimed that her niece met Kelly when she was 12. According to . Sparkle added that her niece, sister and brother-in-law all reported that nothing was going on, however. You cant stifle me. 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. "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. Vibe is a part of Penske Media Corporation. 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. Im letting those who know and support me that this is a family feud, she says at the beginning of her video, reading notes from her mobile device. 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]). [He] cant tell me what I can and cant do. 2 on the R&B charts and was certified gold soon after . Of course Im in full unwavering support of them and their act of courage.. Atlanta Black Star is a narrative company. Sparkle claimed that her niece met Kelly when she was 12. If convicted, he'd have to register as a sex offender. seek information on a wide variety of topics including African-American hair care, health issues, relationship 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. 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). Kelly has been charged with multiple sex crimes involving four women, three of whom were underage at the time of the alleged encounters. On Friday, Sparkle took to social media to denounce some of the claims made by her niece on the stand. TikTok video from Samke Ndlovu INdlovu (@samkeindlovukaz): "#Aunty and Niece Challenge ". Get notified about exclusive offers every week! Trivia Black women PredIQtion Markets. We were tight, tight, tight." The Times. Absolutely NOT! She added that there is a family feud, and the victims testimony is a clear plan to try to take her down.. 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. MTV, EMA and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. Former protégé of R. Kelly makes allegations on Los Angeles radio station. It's very upsetting. When she watched the recording, she said, she recognized her niece, "You know your blood," Sparkle said. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! It's sickening. "She shared how she didn't see me as a survivor but she wanted to celebrate me for being the first one to stand up and bring to light what was going [on].". Things heated up when Genson accused her of being in on a scheme to either use the tape to extort Kelly or to make money by mass-producing it. About. 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. SEPTEMBER 17: Singer R. Kelly appears standing beside his attorney, Steven Greenberg during a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on September 17, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Sparkle replied with a strong denial. Before Fame. Fourteen witnesses had identified the girl in the video during the 20018 trial, but she and members of her family did not testify. Whitten Sabbatini for . 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. 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). Its impact cannot be overstated and a month later, Kelly was facing new charges in Chicago. One of the disgraced singers former artists has stepped forward to defend herself in the ongoing R. Kelly trial. 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. Both have pleaded not guilty. 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. "Sir, it's Robert and [my niece] on the tape," she said during the emotional trial, according to MTV. Her family eventually began to allow her to visit with Kelly without an adult present. R. Kellys new case may end differently than his last. 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 Singer Sparkle was the only member from the girl's family to testify against Kelly in 2008, identifying her niece in the tape. 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. Stephanie Edwards (born May 13, 1975), better known by her stage name Sparkle, is an American R&B singer. 8771 1829 linktr.ee/sparklelivemusic Posts Reels Tagged Show More Posts from sparklelivemusic "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. 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. Although a jury acquitted R. Kelly,. "We've had contact all along with the girl's family," Chicago police spokesperson Officer Pat Camden said. 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? In a contentious court battle, Edwards testified against Kelly in 2008, according to ET Online. Sparkle's age is 47. 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. Her family also wouldnt be a witness for prosecutors, but things are different now. Stephanie Edwards, a singer known as Sparkle, testified at R. Kelly's 2008 trial. There are a lot of people who are very jealous of me right now and they're trying to destroy me.". Will No Longer Be Pursuing These Indictments: Chicago Prosecutor Drops Sex-Abuse Charges Against Singer R. Kelly Months After Conviction. 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. Blog. MadameNoire Copyright 2023 BossipMadameNoire, LLC All Rights Reserved | BHM Digital, a federal indictment, of paying the girl and her father to lie to investigators. Kelly would ultimately be acquitted on charges pertaining to the tape. 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. A post shared by Sparkle (Stephanie Edwards) (@isparklei). By continuing to use this site, you agree to our updated Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. 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,. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Last week in court R. Kellys original case, Sparkles niece at 30 plus years took the stand to testify. . 2023 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. A post shared by Sparkle (Stephanie Edwards) (@isparklei). Yes, Sparkle identified the 14-year-old as her sister's daughter and that the girl was engaging in filth with the Pied Piper of R&Pee. Apple Music Film, TV & Stage. 3 min read Singer Sparkle has refuted testimony made by a witness recognized as "Jane" in R.. At the time, she and her family denied her appearance in the video and refused to testify. 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. Sparkle met singer R. Kelly in 1989. @lifetimetv SRK For Girls/Women linktr.ee/isparklei Posts Reels Videos Tagged Like she said on "Surviving R. Kelly," Sparkle reiterated that she was naive at the . Sparkle testified that she then called a family meeting so her other relatives could see the tape for themselves. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! CHICAGO -- "Sweetie, I'm not trying to get any money for this!". Sparkle also heard the news of her niece's testimony and took to Instagram to discuss the allegations. Though his attorney argued that he was not a flight risk and had appeared at all of his court appointments on time, a judge denied bond calling the case extraordinarily serious.. Music Videos. The alleged victim on the tape is also the niece of the singer Sparkle, whom Kelly mentored as an artist early in her career. On the stand, the woman, who is now 37 and identified as just Jane Doe, shared details of how she met Kelly and how they had sex hundreds of times, and he made videos of their encounters which sometimes also involved other minor girls. In @nytimes Feat. 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. The woman claimed that Kelly agreed to serve as her godfather and that her parents had given their blessing. "But until our investigation is complete, we can't confirm or deny that [Sparkle is the girl's aunt]. 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. Singer who came to prominence in the late 90s through her collaborations with R. Kelly. Nope, Sparkle didn't take a payout meanwhile R sending them on trips and paying for their houses. I believe that [the police] have a lot that they are actually going to bring to light.". 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 Times reports, her lawyer says she is now cooperating with authorities. In our exclusive interview, she shared that the decision cost her the relationship with her family. "She kept coming down with me," she told the station, "which was [a] safe [situation] at the time. Lets continue to pray for healing in this family. Sparkle stated that her niece was "doing the will of her mom," who she says has allegiance to R. Kelly. Genson accused Sparkle of being bitter and characterized the end of her working relationship with Kelly as a firing. Sparkle has responded in a video (see below) to her nieces testimony: Absolutely NOT!! 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." She got . Prosecutors say he victimized 12 women, at least eight of whom were underage at the time of the events. Though she hadn't witnessed anything between Kelly and her niece that could be considered inappropriate, Sparkle said she saw hints of things that she didn't want to acknowledge at the time, "little hints of something, little touches," that in hindsight concerned her. All Rights Reserved. During an Instagram broadcast, she decided to put a few things in context.. Muskan Sharma is a law student at Calcutta University. But let me chill. In "Surviving R. Kelly," Edwards discusses Kelly's behavior toward her while they worked together. "We've had contact all along with the girl's family," Chicago police spokesperson Officer Pat Camden said. Sparkle talked about her niece working with the feds and said she couldn't be more thrilled about it. Who wouldn't be [disgusted]? What is the relationship between the two singers? "Hampton spoke to me and spoke to my management," Edwards continued. "It's crazy and torn up, in every way imaginable," she said. 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. Whats your take on it? Sparkle was also the one to call her family members when she would find out that the niece was alone in the studio with him. 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. 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. Sparkle continued, This is another form of the terrible decision-making of her mom and in my opinion, the unfortunate continuing allegiance to Robert.. She also attested to having sexual encounters with the singer hundreds of times since the age of 14. 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. We've joined the BHM Digital family of websites and have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Sparkle claimed that her niece met Kelly when she was 12. 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. 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. The video was of a man urinating on a little girl while she called him daddy. It's disgusting. ", Sparkle wasn't the only witness to get emotional on the stand Thursday. (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.) Featured On. 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 An R&B singer who was once Kelly's protg, Sparkle testified for more than an hour and a half Thursday afternoon during Kelly's child-pornography trial, describing how she introduced her niece . Sparkle testified against Kelly in 2008 but, as we all know, he was found not guilty. 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. BridgetEE: A Music and Entertainment blogger/ Historian / Global Grind Freelance Writer Among things hes already been convicted of, prosecutors accuse him of abusing young girls for decades and filming their encounters. Singer Sparkle found herself in the middle of R. Kellys federal child pornography trial. 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. But after the meeting, "There was one side and another side," she said. 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. because you deserve it! - YouTube 0:00 / 25:48 Intro EXPOSED: PROOF Sparkle PIMPED Her Niece To R Kelly!| Andrea Kelly. For full coverage of the ongoing R. Kelly case, see The R. Kelly Trial Reports. At the time, Sparkle identified the child in the video as her niece. "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. 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. 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! 2023 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sparkle was born Stephanie Edwards on May 13, 1975 in Chicago, Illinois. With Jordin Sparks, Whitney Houston, Derek Luke, Mike Epps. Last week, Kellywas arrested for an additional 13 counts of federal sex trafficking and child pornography charges. Its not clear to what extent shes working with investigators, but her attorney, Christopher L. Brown, confirmed that she is indeed cooperating. She said there was no bitterness between her and Kelly over the split: "He was my homeboy. R. Kelly's former protg Stephanie Edwards, who recorded under the name Sparkle, also spoke on the verdict. Sparkle did, however, testify against Kelly when he was on trial for child porn that featured her niece. Stephanie "Sparkle" Edwards, a recording artist as well, was born on May 13, 1975. Kellys trial is ongoing, with the sex tapes of other underaged victims set to be played for jurors. Prosecutors are pushing for another conviction on those charges to add to R. Kelly being sentenced to 30 years in prison after being found guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering by a New York jury last month. Last week in court R. Kelly's original case, Sparkles niece at 30 plus years took the stand to testify. Sparkle did cooperate at the time and testified against Kelly at trial, a step that reportedly led to her estrangement from her family for years. Bop Shop: Songs From J-Hope And J. 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Celebrate (From "Sparkle") Whitney Houston, Jordin Sparks. Please say its not you, the user said. I was ashamed.. The video was of a man urinating on a little girl while she called him daddy. Fast forwarding to now, R Kelly pretty much got a life sentence plus he still has more charges to face. They would pretty much drop me off and then leave, she said about her parents and the introduction by her aunt. 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].. Photo Credit: Gary Miller for Getty Images). 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. She admits that some things went down but now she is saying her aunt encouraged it. 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. We want to hear from you! An exchange between two ex-lovers? He has pleaded not guilty. 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. Bossip Comment Policy In 2002, Kelly re-entered Sparkle's life when a video that appeared to depict sex between Kelly and a 14-year-old came to the attention of police. The singer used social media to "put a few things in context.".