I've been blackmailed for the last four years, and I didn't give in, and I'm still not gonna give in. "We've had contact all along with the girl's family," Chicago police spokesperson Officer Pat Camden said. They would pretty much drop me off and then leave, she said about her parents and the introduction by her aunt. 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. Stephanie "Sparkle" Edwards, a recording artist as well, was born on May 13, 1975. The singer, real name Stephanie Edwards, alleges that the girl on this videotape was her 14-year-old niece, whom she had introduced to Kelly along with other members of her family, including her . Earlier this week, the disgraced singer and his legal team appeared in a Chicago court, where Kelly faces several criminal charges. In the indictment, Kelly gave the girl and her family gifts, money before and after the trial in exchange for her lying to investigators, being unavailable for interviews and refusing to testify against him. 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 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. 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. Sound it in the comments. All Rights Reserved. NBA Bans Donald Sterling For Life after Racist Comments. "She kept coming down with me," she told the station, "which was [a] safe [situation] at the time. But things have changed since 2008. The woman claimed that Kelly agreed to serve as her godfather and that her parents had given their blessing. 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 . Trivia Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, Get our latest stories in the feed of your favorite networks. "Anger? 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. She. 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. As of today, they're still investigating the situation. Sparkle talked about her niece working with the feds and said she couldn't be more thrilled about it. Sparkle talked about her niece working with the feds and said she couldnt be more thrilled about it. Singer Sparkle, who formerly recorded with Kelly, says Landfair is her niece. Those suspicions were heightened after a now-infamous video, which shows Kelly intimately engaging. 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. Absolutely NOT! Years ago, Kelly was accused of abusing Sparkles niece, but during Kellys current trial, the niece claimed that Sparkle encouraged the interactions. The decision, many believe, ultimately resulted in the jury acquitting the singer. 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, born Stephanie Edwards, issued a video statement denying the claims. 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 added that there is a family feud, and the victims testimony is a clear plan to try to take her down.. Sparkle's niece who was 14 years old was alleged to be the young girl in the video tape that went viral on the streets before going viral was such a thing. 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. Kelly faces 15 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. But I didnt know that a bomb was coming.. 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. 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. Stephanie Edwards, a singer known as Sparkle, testified at R. Kelly's 2008 trial. FAQ + Create an Account / Login. I believe that [the police] have a lot that they are actually going to bring to light.". "You have no idea whether this was put together by someone trying to get money from Robert, do you?" 8771 1829 linktr.ee/sparklelivemusic Posts Reels Tagged Show More Posts from sparklelivemusic Of course Im in full unwavering support of them and their act of courage.. 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. Among the issues covered in the investigatory program were allegations made by a former Kelly protege, Stephanie "Sparkle" Edwards. We've joined the BHM Digital family of websites and have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. "He made her do [those sexual acts]," she said. Singer Sparkle was the only member from the girl's family to testify against Kelly in 2008, identifying her niece in the tape. Advancing the culture and building bridges. In "Surviving R. Kelly," Edwards discusses Kelly's behavior toward her while they worked together. We publish narratives intentionally and specifically to enlighten and transform the world. 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. Sparkle, however, disputed the witness account after a social media user questioned her about it. 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. It's very upsetting to my family. 5 Infamous Murder Cases Involving Athletes, Deadly Day for Rappers XXXTentacion and Wopo. advice and career trends - and MadameNoire provides all of that. We want to hear from you! Blog. I'm happy to see the #MeToo movement and Time's Up movement are backing these women. Robert didnt allow pretty much anyone to speak to me, Edwards alleges in the new show. Sparkle replied with a strong denial. Profession: Singer. To what degree, singer, Sparkle's niece, is cooperating with authorities is still not official. For full coverage of the ongoing R. Kelly case, see The R. Kelly Trial Reports. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Bossip Video 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. "Sir, it's Robert and [my niece] on the tape," she said. Nope, Sparkle didn't take a payout meanwhile R sending them on trips and paying for their houses. I know them. Sparkle also heard the news of her niece's testimony and took to Instagram to discuss the allegations. She said there was no bitterness between her and Kelly over the split: "He was my homeboy. 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 met singer R. Kelly in 1989. In our exclusive interview, she shared that the decision cost her the relationship with her family. "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. "She's like a robot." "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. Among things hes already been convicted of, prosecutors accuse him of abusing young girls for decades and filming their encounters. According to . "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. The video was of a man urinating on a little girl while she called him daddy. 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. [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. Its not clear to what extent shes working with investigators, but her attorney, Christopher L. Brown, confirmed that she is indeed cooperating. 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. Recording artist Stephanie "Sparkle" Edwards accused R. Kelly of having sex with her 14-year-old niece at his 2008 trial. ", Genson then made a comment about the girl on the tape looking like a willing participant. Its no secret the original R Kelly having relations with a minor (allegedly) video was all over the streets on VHS. "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. 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. 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 . Her testimony sliced her family into factions, relegating her to years of . If convicted, Kelly would face the maximum of 195 years in prison. I wish they were backing [me] when I was coming up and had a story to tell, but nobody believed. She said that his acquittal then affected her view of the #MeToo movement a decade later. 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]). She previously told the Cut that, when Kelly was producing her first album in the late '90s, she thought the singer could also help her niece, an aspiring rapper, launch a career. Whitten Sabbatini for . But let me chill. Here's Where to Find the Best Corned Beef in Cleveland! She was my heart.". "I have an ex-manager that's been on my back," he said. 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. Naked Pic of Serena Williams Goes Viral! 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 Will No Longer Be Pursuing These Indictments: Chicago Prosecutor Drops Sex-Abuse Charges Against Singer R. Kelly Months After Conviction. Both have pleaded not guilty. With Jordin Sparks, Whitney Houston, Derek Luke, Mike Epps. Sparkle Net Worth: Sparkle is an American R&B singer who has a net worth of $600 thousand. 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. 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. Kelly is now facing state and federal charges including sexual assault, obstruction of justice, child pornography, and racketeering. Sparkle first started singing in her family's gospel music group. Who, do you believe, is lying? But now people are seeing.". She also attested to having sexual encounters with the singer hundreds of times since the age of 14. Sparkle added that she and Kelly were never romantically involved as painted by the victim. In addition to child pornography, Kelly is facing state and federal charges of obstruction of justice, sexual assault and racketeering. 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. Her family also wouldnt be a witness for prosecutors, but things are different now. Kelly would ultimately be acquitted on charges pertaining to the tape. 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. 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. The partnership between the two dissipated over creative differences, leading her to amicably ask for release from the label, according to MTV. R. Kelly's former protg Stephanie Edwards, who recorded under the name Sparkle, also spoke on the verdict. Offset Changes Instagram Avatar to Takeoff Photo After His Death. Singer Sparkle found herself in the middle of R. Kellys federal child pornography trial. 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. 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. Singer Sparkle was the only member from the girls family to testify against Kelly in 2008, identifying her niece in the tape. I went at it alone. Contribute to Atlanta Black Star today and help us share our narratives. His response thus far has been that the tapes are fabricated and that he's been blackmailed. 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. "But there are others that haven't been spoken of that have been possibly paid off. 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). 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. 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. Fast forwarding to now, R Kelly pretty much got a life sentence plus he still has more charges to face. 2023 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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.