"Sparkle" featured a duet with Kelly, titled "Be Careful.". There are a lot of people who are very jealous of me right now and they're trying to destroy me.". 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. Fast forwarding to now, R Kelly pretty much got a life sentence plus he still has more charges to face. Singer Sparkle was the only member from the girl's family to testify against Kelly in 2008, identifying her niece in the tape. She said there was no bitterness between her and Kelly over the split: "He was my homeboy. Back in 2008, Kelly ended up being acquitted on charges of child pornography. Sparkle also heard the news of her niece's testimony and took to Instagram to discuss the allegations. Sparkle, born Stephanie Edwards, issued a video statement denying the claims. 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. Still, she admitted, she hadn't had the same level of success on her sophomore album with Motown as she did with her Kelly-produced debut, and she hadn't received any royalties from Kelly. Though praising her niece for finally cooperating with prosecutors, the singer says that she is at the center of a . 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. The girl's mother -- Sparkle's sister -- didn't want to see the tape and didn't want to talk about it, she said. @lifetimetv SRK For Girls/Women linktr.ee/isparklei Posts Reels Videos Tagged 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? 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. ", Sparkle wasn't the only witness to get emotional on the stand Thursday. R. Kellys new case may end differently than his last. This encounter disheartened Sparkle and caused her to step back from her career in entertainment. 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. Sparkle added that her niece, sister and brother-in-law all reported that nothing was going on, however. I went at it alone. 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. 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. "Hampton spoke to me and spoke to my management," Edwards continued. "I'm beyond pleased to finally hear the mountain I've tirelessly worked on moving over the. Who, do you believe, is lying? Prosecutors turned over to Kelly's defense team a DVD that alleges to show Kelly having sex with an underage girl in the 1990s. 3 on the Billboard 200 and No. It's very upsetting. 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. 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. I'm happy to see the #MeToo movement and Time's Up movement are backing these women. He rose to fame after singing as an eight-year-old in church before winning a $100,000 grand prize on the syndicated US television talent show, "Big Break," hosted by Natalie Cole. She writes for Thirsty for News, covering world news and entertainment. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. 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. Jane, one of multiple alleged victims set to take the stand, revealed under oath that she was the teenager with Kelly in the explicit video recording that resulted in his arrest and child pornography trial in 2008. 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. He has pleaded not guilty. Sparkle first started singing in her family's gospel music group. Last week, Kellywas arrested for an additional 13 counts of federal sex trafficking and child pornography charges. [article id="1587950"]The mother of another friend of the alleged girl on the tape[/article] cried when she talked about seeing the tape for the first time and recognizing her daughter's friend, saying she was "100 percent certain" it was her by her face, her hairstyle and her voice. 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. Since the news of her nieces cooperation has been made public, Sparkle says she is thrilled. 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 2 on the R&B charts and was certified gold soon after . Stephanie 'Sparkle' Edwards Although she praised her niece for finally cooperating with prosecutors, the singer says that she is at the center of a "family feud." 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. A post shared by Sparkle (Stephanie Edwards) (@isparklei). According to the niece that is identified as Jane Doe, her aunt said,That I should rub his head and ask him to take that role in my life. as the young teens Godfather. Sparkle was the first and only successful artist to release an album on Kelly's Rockland label.Sparkle's dbut album, the self-titled Sparkle, was released on May 19, 1998.The album debuted at No. She told me that I should ask him to be my godfather, she shared according to CNN, explaining that deepening the relationship established trust. Sparkle testified at trial in 2008 that the man in the video was Mr. Kelly, and that the girl was her 14-year-old niece. What is the relationship between the two singers? Sparkle prayed for her niece to one day tell the truth and shame the devil and for them to be a family again. A new development in the case has resulted from the Sparkles nieces recent admission of the truth. (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.) "It's hurtful to my sister, to my brother-in-law and to my niece, especially, because it's all her. You just know your family. Now lets observe what transpires in the court. 2023 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. While the survivors have now found justice, Sparkle said she still feels guilty for introducing her niece to Kelly in 1997. 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. "You couldn't break the chain with us. Home. 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. 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. We talked about business. Sparkle has long asserted that her niece was abused by Kelly. Among things hes already been convicted of, prosecutors accuse him of abusing young girls for decades and filming their encounters. "I know my family. "You have no idea whether this was put together by someone trying to get money from Robert, do you?" 3 min read Singer Sparkle has refuted testimony made by a witness recognized as "Jane" in R.. The "Better Be Careful" singer was one of the first people to go public about . At the time, she and her family denied her appearance in the video and refused to testify. But in 2001, when she actually witnessed the tape herself, she didn't hesitate to call. Sparkle has openly confronted the fact that her niece has lied about her in court. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google. Sparkle, who had a hit with Kelly in 1998 called "Be Careful," told radio DJ Adimu of the Beat (KKBT) on April 3 that her niece was a fledging rapper whom she introduced to Kelly. All Rights Reserved. Like she said on "Surviving R. Kelly," Sparkle reiterated that she was naive at the . The woman who previously testified against Kelly in 2008 and was the one who brought the sex tapes to the victims parents knowledge says that she had the greatest of intentions when she spoke up against Kelly, but her life was made hell by the victims mother. The Times reports, her lawyer says she is now cooperating with authorities. I cant help the lies told on me & under oath at all & cause ya momma mad at me cause yall were FORCED to testify About. Sparkle claimed that her niece met Kelly when she was 12. 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. Chicago police have not charged Kelly, and will only say that their investigation is continuing. Those who have been following the scandal were shocked to hear Sparkles testimony because she has long advocated for R. Kellys imprisonment for what he is accused of doing to her niece. In "Surviving R. Kelly," Edwards discusses Kelly's behavior toward her while they worked together. Singer who came to prominence in the late 90s through her collaborations with R. Kelly . Bop Shop: Songs From J-Hope And J. 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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. 1 on iTunes. "She kept coming down with me," she told the station, "which was [a] safe [situation] at the time. 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. CHICAGO -- "Sweetie, I'm not trying to get any money for this!". Who wouldn't be [disgusted]? Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! 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. By Kelly Butler. The decision, many believe, ultimately resulted in the jury acquitting the singer. "Sir, it's Robert and [my niece] on the tape," she said. R. Kelly's former protg Stephanie Edwards, who recorded under the name Sparkle, also spoke on the verdict. The partnership between the two dissipated over creative differences, leading her to amicably ask for release from the label, according to MTV. But after the meeting, "There was one side and another side," she said. Sparkle was horrified when she discovered that it was her niece at the center of Kelly's 2002 child pornography indictment. Sparkle Net Worth: Sparkle is an American R&B singer who has a net worth of $600 thousand. No," she said. Sparkle testified that she then called a family meeting so her other relatives could see the tape for themselves. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. "I know my family. If convicted, he'd have to register as a sex offender. Before Fame. Here's Where to Find the Best Corned Beef in Cleveland! Trust me.". Please say its not you., Sparkle replied, Absolutely NOT! Earlier this week, Kelly who wore ankle shackles along with his orange jumpsuit, pled not guilty to the charges. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. 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. 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. She says her. At the time, Sparkle was largely ignored by the media. "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. Sparkle explains that she testified against Kelly in court, although he allegedly tried to bribe her. 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, she told The New York Times on Tuesday. Trust me. Kelly got emotional during the sit-down and alleged that he is "fighting for his . Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Whitten Sabbatini for . advice and career trends - and MadameNoire provides all of that. At the time, Sparkle identified the child in the video as her niece. His whole M.O., he stated this to me not long ago, is he likes them when they are ripe and young because he can mold them into what he wants them to be and control their minds and make them do what women 'should' do. "But until our investigation is . 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. Prosecutors say he victimized 12 women, at least eight of whom were underage at the time of the events. 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 . 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). Best known by her stage name, Sparkle rose to prominence as a member of R. Kelly's Rockland Records and was the first artist to release a single on the label. 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. Sparkle talked about her niece working with the feds and said she couldnt be more thrilled about it. "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. MadameNoire Copyright 2023 BossipMadameNoire, LLC All Rights Reserved | BHM Digital, a federal indictment, of paying the girl and her father to lie to investigators. In her video, Sparkle read a statement from her phone and said, "Not all that you heard yesterday from my niece is true. EXPOSED: PROOF Sparkle PIMPED Her Niece To R Kelly!| Andrea Kelly & Lisa VA Have S E X Tape! Fourteen witnesses had identified the girl in the video during the 20018 trial, but she and members of her family did not testify. One of the disgraced singer's former artists has stepped forward to defend herself in the ongoing R. Kelly trial. The singer used social media to "put a few things in context.". Three sisters form a singing group in 1950s Harlem, but success threatens to ruin their relationship forever. In @nytimes Feat. Last week in court R. Kelly's original case, Sparkles niece at 30 plus years took the stand to testify. While the witness is addressed in court as Jane, her story included identifying details, including that she is Sparkles niece. Stephanie Edwards made a statement to the New York Times: 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. "I wanted this to go away. Mar. 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. 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. 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. The Times. Close Menu. Genson suggested that Sparkle next tried to conspire with former Kelly manager Barry Hankerson "about doing something bad to Robert. What do you think about the matter? 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. What, exactly, is the relationship between Kelly and Sparkle, and what are the claims being made against the infamous artist? . "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. The long-running criminal case of R. Kelly consistently takes strange turns that leaves fans perplexed and for which the case becomes more complicated. Nope, Sparkle didn't take a payout meanwhile R sending them on trips and paying for their houses. ), "I watched a few seconds of it, and I refused to watch the rest," Adra Gengler testified. A post shared by Sparkle (Stephanie Edwards) (@isparklei). Singer Sparkle was the only member from the girl's family to testify against Kelly in 2008, identifying her niece in the tape. 5 Infamous Murder Cases Involving Athletes, Deadly Day for Rappers XXXTentacion and Wopo. As news of Janes testimony went public, Sparkle took to social media to refute the claims. Sparkle is best known for her 1998 R&B debut hit single 'Be Careful '. "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. 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. As you can imagine, all this drama derailed Sparkle's career. 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. Look Inside The DA.I.S.Y. Kelly would ultimately be acquitted on charges pertaining to the tape. Its impact cannot be overstated and a month later, Kelly was facing new charges in Chicago. She admits that some things went down but now she is saying her aunt encouraged it. 2023 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. Of course Im in full unwavering support of them and their act of courage.. Naked Pic of Serena Williams Goes Viral! "We've had contact all along with the girl's family," Chicago police spokesperson Officer Pat Camden said. For full coverage of R. Kelly, see "The R. Kelly Reports.". "Anger? She shared that she feels these are lies organized by her sister as a method of sabotage. 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. Vibe is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Genson pointed out that the girl is seen receiving money on the tape. 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. In a contentious court battle, Edwards testified against Kelly in 2008, according to ET Online. Singer Sparkle found herself in the middle of R. Kellys federal child pornography trial. 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. "He made her do [those sexual acts]," she said. Singer Sparkle, who formerly recorded with Kelly, says Landfair is her niece. Sparkle replied with a strong denial. Among the issues covered in the investigatory program were allegations made by a former Kelly protege, Stephanie "Sparkle" Edwards. PredIQtion Markets. "Never. 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. because you deserve it! Sparkle: Directed by Salim Akil. Her family would rather keep the matter quiet, she said, even if that means protecting an alleged predator. We were still cool." Her testimony sliced her family into factions, relegating her to years of . Kellys trial is ongoing, with the sex tapes of other underaged victims set to be played for jurors. The alleged victim on the tape is also the niece of the singer Sparkle, whom Kelly mentored as an artist early in her career. Will No Longer Be Pursuing These Indictments: Chicago Prosecutor Drops Sex-Abuse Charges Against Singer R. Kelly Months After Conviction. ", Genson then made a comment about the girl on the tape looking like a willing participant. Her family eventually began to allow her to visit with Kelly without an adult present. It's sickening. Those suspicions were heightened after a now-infamous video, which shows Kelly intimately engaging. His first albums. 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.