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. I know them. 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. 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. 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. 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 . No -- it was part of a shouting match during a contentious cross-examination between R. Kelly's defense attorney Ed Genson and the prosecution's star witness, Stephanie "Sparkle" Edwards. Atlanta Black Star is a narrative company. 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? She's being exposed to the world. 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. 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. Both have pleaded not guilty. She said that his acquittal then affected her view of the #MeToo movement a decade later. advice and career trends - and MadameNoire provides all of that. Whitten Sabbatini for . [He] cant tell me what I can and cant do. Those suspicions were heightened after a now-infamous video, which shows Kelly intimately engaging. I've been blackmailed for the last four years, and I didn't give in, and I'm still not gonna give in. One of the disgraced singers former artists has stepped forward to defend herself in the ongoing R. Kelly trial. 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. As of today, they're still investigating the situation. Last week in court R. Kelly's original case, Sparkles niece at 30 plus years took the stand to testify. Before Fame. Sparkle testified that she then called a family meeting so her other relatives could see the tape for themselves. She. 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. Yesterday, R. Kelly sat down with Gayle King for his first interview since new allegations of sexual abuse against the singer have been revealed, most due in part to Lifetime's docu-series, Surviving R. Kelly. Kelly got emotional during the sit-down and alleged that he is "fighting for his . "You have no idea whether this was put together by someone trying to get money from Robert, do you?" You cant stifle me. 2023 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sparkle thinks that allegiance to Robert still exists. 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. At the time, she and her family denied her appearance in the video and refused to testify. I was ashamed.. Following the allegations made in court, Sparkle took to social media to issue a video statement denying the claims. Prosecutors believe that there were many more girls, beyond the initially cited 12, who were victim to Kellys abuse. Although a jury acquitted R. Kelly,. | Follow on Twitter: @BridgetEE and IG: @Bridgetee26, Source: MadameNoire.com/iOne Digital / MadameNoire. @lifetimetv SRK For Girls/Women linktr.ee/isparklei Posts Reels Videos Tagged 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. 8771 1829 linktr.ee/sparklelivemusic Posts Reels Tagged Show More Posts from sparklelivemusic Stay tuned to Thirsty for more updates. The video was of a man urinating on a little girl while she called him daddy. Our societys awareness and understanding of sexual assault has increased while Kellys funds have dwindled. Sparkle was horrified when she discovered that it was her niece at the center of Kelly's 2002 child pornography indictment. Prosecutors say he victimized 12 women, at least eight of whom were underage at the time of the events. BridgetEE: A Music and Entertainment blogger/ Historian / Global Grind Freelance Writer Sparkle has openly confronted the fact that her niece has lied about her in court. "We were thick as thieves," Sparkle said of the family's closeness before the meeting. 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. "She's doing exactly what he told her to do. 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. An exchange between two ex-lovers? 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. 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. She admits that some things went down but now she is saying her aunt encouraged it. Absolutely NOT! Though praising her niece for finally cooperating with prosecutors, the singer says that she is at the center of a . 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. We've joined the BHM Digital family of websites and have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Modern Movie Musical Essentials. Stephanie "Sparkle" Edwards, a recording artist as well, was born on May 13, 1975. 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]). Close Menu. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. When R. Kelly was acquitted on child pornography charges in 2008, jurors reportedly said it was because the 14-year-old girl he was accused of sexually assaulting on video refused to testify. (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.) 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! 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. Bokep Indo Skandal Baru 2021 Lagi Viral - Nonton Bokep hanya Itubokep.shop Bokep Indo Skandal Baru 2021 Lagi Viral, Situs nonton film bokep terbaru dan terlengkap 2020 Bokep ABG Indonesia Bokep Viral 2020, Nonton Video Bokep, Film Bokep, Video Bokep Terbaru, Video Bokep Indo, Video Bokep Barat, Video Bokep Jepang, Video Bokep, Streaming Video ", More cases against R. Kelly will come forward, Sparkle predicted, if they don't settle out of court first. 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. 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. At the time, Sparkle was largely ignored by the media. 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 to Kelly, how she later came to discover that the sex tape existed, and how that drove her family apart. ", Genson then made a comment about the girl on the tape looking like a willing participant. She began her career in 1998 as a protg of fellow Chicago native R. Kelly. The alleged victim on the tape is also the niece of the singer Sparkle, whom Kelly mentored as an artist early in her career. Unsurprisingly, that 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? 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. For full coverage of the ongoing R. Kelly case, see The R. Kelly Trial Reports. His first albums. Music Videos. Latest dancehall and hip hop news and music at your fingertips. 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. Sparkle did, however, testify against Kelly when he was on trial for child porn that featured her niece. 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. 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. No," she said. "Of course not. But after the meeting, "There was one side and another side," she said. 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. Without Wayne Shorters Weather Report, Jazz Rap Wouldnt Be What It Is, Fans Are Overjoyed to See De La Soul Albums on DSPs, 9 New Hip-Hop & R&B Albums You Should Be Listening To (Week of March 3), Larry June & The Alchemist Announce Joint Album The Great Escape. While the survivors have now found justice, Sparkle said she still feels guilty for introducing her niece to Kelly in 1997. Sparkle first introduced her then-12-year-old niece to Kelly in 1997 a decision that still haunts her to this day. There's no denying it,' she says on the stand. The now 37-year-old woman who is identified only as "Jane," told jurors that she was first introduced to R. Kelly by her aunt Sparkle in the mid-1990s when she was 13 years old. As you can imagine, all this drama derailed Sparkle's career. 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. I cant help the lies told on me & under oath at all & cause ya momma mad at me cause yall were FORCED to testify, she said. What, exactly, is the relationship between Kelly and Sparkle, and what are the claims being made against the infamous artist? Sparkle also heard the news of her niece's testimony and took to Instagram to discuss the allegations. Find a review of [article id="1587729"]the major players in the R. Kelly trial here[/article]. At the time, Sparkle identified the child in the video as her niece. 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].. NBA Bans Donald Sterling For Life after Racist Comments. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! A post shared by Sparkle (Stephanie Edwards) (@isparklei). According to reports, Sparkle was allegedly suggested by the 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). 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. 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. "Never. "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. She told me that I should ask him to be my godfather, she shared according to CNN, explaining that deepening the relationship established trust. Singer Sparkle was the only member from the girls family to testify against Kelly in 2008, identifying her niece in the tape. ", Sparkle wasn't the only witness to get emotional on the stand Thursday. Kelly faces 14 counts of child pornography -- seven for directing, seven for producing. But let me chill. Kelly faces 15 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. If you are in your 40's you have seen the video (whether you want to admit it or not). She said she regretted bringing her niece to Kelly's studio and later his home -- "my mistake," Sparkle said. The girl's mother -- Sparkle's sister -- didn't want to see the tape and didn't want to talk about it, she said. 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. [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. "Sir, it's Robert and [my niece] on the tape," she said. 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. I know them. 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. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! But in 2001, when she actually witnessed the tape herself, she didn't hesitate to call. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. 2 on the R&B charts and was certified gold soon after . Her family would rather keep the matter quiet, she said, even if that means protecting an alleged predator. 2023 Vibe Media, LLC. "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 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. Sound it in the comments. 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. black entertainment news, parenting tips and beauty secrets that are specifically for black women. Robert didnt allow pretty much anyone to speak to me, Edwards alleges in the new show. Singer Sparkle was the only member from the girl's family to testify against Kelly in 2008, identifying her niece in the tape. 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. She was my heart.". By Kelly Butler. Sparkle met singer R. Kelly in 1989. I believe that [the police] have a lot that they are actually going to bring to light.". Sparkle went on to sign with Motown Records and released a second album, titled "Told You So," in 2000. Whats your take on it? 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. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. Sparkle added that she and Kelly were never romantically involved as painted by the victim. For years, Sparkle has made claims about Kelly allegedly abusing her niece . The long-running criminal case of R. Kelly consistently takes strange turns that leaves fans perplexed and for which the case becomes more complicated. I also did not want that person to be me, Jane testified. 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." She says "There have been too many girls to count. In addition to child pornography, Kelly is facing state and federal charges of obstruction of justice, sexual assault and racketeering. With Jordin Sparks, Whitney Houston, Derek Luke, Mike Epps. Celebrate (From "Sparkle") Whitney Houston, Jordin Sparks. 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. If you are in your 40s you have seen the video (whether you want to admit it or not). The woman claimed that Kelly agreed to serve as her godfather and that her parents had given their blessing. 6 2019, Updated 5:51 a.m. She got . Sparkle Net Worth: Sparkle is an American R&B singer who has a net worth of $600 thousand. R. Kelly was later acquitted of all charges. Sparkle added that her niece, sister and brother-in-law all reported that nothing was going on, however. Bop Shop: Songs From J-Hope And J. 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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. For full coverage of the case, read the R. Kelly Reports and check out this [article id="1586932"]complete timeline[/article] of the events leading up to the trial. Mar. Fast forwarding to now, R Kelly pretty much got a life sentence plus he still has more charges to face. "She kept coming down with me," she told the station, "which was [a] safe [situation] at the time. Activity. Stephanie Edwards, a singer known as Sparkle, testified at R. Kelly's 2008 trial. Blog. Im not that girl. It's very upsetting to my family. Sparkle Live Music (@sparklelivemusic) Instagram photos and videos sparklelivemusic 731 posts 1,870 followers 467 following Sparkle Live Music Musician/band We play your dream music soundtrack Put a Sparkle in your big day. Creator of Bridget EEs Bloghouse, a A Place Where Real Music Is Previewed and Reviewed. 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. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google. 5 Infamous Murder Cases Involving Athletes, Deadly Day for Rappers XXXTentacion and Wopo. 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 was born Stephanie Edwards on May 13, 1975 in Chicago, Illinois. 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. Now that her niece has finished testifying, Sparkle is speaking out again - and what she's saying is EXPLOSIVE. "We've had contact all along with the girl's family," Chicago police spokesperson Officer Pat Camden said. 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. The woman disclosed that her aunt and her parents knew about her being around Kelly. 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. "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. Three sisters form a singing group in 1950s Harlem, but success threatens to ruin their relationship forever. On Friday, Sparkle took to social media to denounce some of the claims made by her niece on the stand. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. The victim in the video did notcooperate with prosecutors in the original case, but finally agreed to workwith the government after Kelly was arrested in 2019.