In a shocking revelation, Buku Abi, the daughter of disgraced singer R. Kelly, has accused her father of sexually abusing her during her childhood. The allegations were made in the new documentary titled R. Kelly's Karma: A Daughter's Journey, which premiered on the TVEI Streaming Network.
Details of the Allegations
In the documentary, 26-year-old Buku, whose real name is Joanne Kelly, shares her traumatic experiences, stating that the abuse occurred when she was around 8 or 9 years old. She recalled waking up to her father touching her and described feeling paralyzed by fear.
I just remember waking up to him touching me,” she said, adding that she pretended to be asleep because she didn’t know how to react.
Buku expressed the emotional toll this experience had on her life, saying,
He destroyed my life in one millisecond.
She admitted that for a long time, she struggled to accept what had happened and felt too scared to tell anyone, including her mother.
Support from Her Mother
Eventually, Buku confided in her mother, Drea Kelly, who took action after learning about the abuse. Drea has been vocal about her own experiences with R. Kelly, detailing instances of emotional and physical abuse during their marriage. In the documentary, she reflects on the pain of realizing that her children were also victims of R. Kelly’s actions.
Drea stated,
What he did to me, he did to me—but you didn’t have to do it to my damn kids.” This sentiment underscores the deep emotional scars left by R. Kelly’s behavior.
Legal Context
Buku’s allegations come at a time when R. Kelly is already serving a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted of child sex crimes in Chicago. He was found guilty in 2022 on multiple charges related to producing child sexual abuse images and enticing minors for sex. His legal team has denied all allegations of abuse made by Buku and others, claiming that they lack merit.
In response to Buku's claims, R. Kelly's attorney stated that he "vehemently denies" the accusations and criticized the filmmakers for not reaching out for his side of the story before airing such serious allegations.
The Impact of Abuse
In the documentary, Buku discusses how the abuse affected her mental health and led her to self-harm. She recounted a moment when her mother discovered cuts on her wrists during a trip to Target, prompting Drea to seek answers about her daughter's well-being.
Buku emphasized that the trauma from her father’s actions has had lasting effects on her life.
I didn’t care anymore. I didn’t care if I lived or died,” she revealed.
Conclusion
Buku Abi's courageous decision to speak out about her experiences sheds light on the far-reaching impact of sexual abuse within families. As she shares her story in R. Kelly's Karma: A Daughter's Journey, it serves as both a personal catharsis and a broader commentary on the importance of addressing such issues openly.
The documentary not only highlights Buku’s struggle but also aims to raise awareness about the complexities surrounding abuse and its long-term effects on survivors and their families.
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