The decades-long crusade cost the 46-year-old her closest relationships and stifled her own music career. Atlanta Black Star is a narrative company. 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. ", Sparkle said that she regrets not being a better protector of her niece. 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. 2023 Vibe Media, LLC. You just know your family. because you deserve it! According to The New York Times, the extent of this girls cooperation with authorities isnt clear, her lawyer, Christopher L. Brown spoke of her willingness to work with authorities days after Kelly was accused, in a federal indictment, of paying the girl and her father to lie to investigators to protect him. The woman disclosed that her aunt and her parents knew about her being around Kelly. 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. 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. There are a lot of people who are very jealous of me right now and they're trying to destroy me.". You cant stifle me. 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. 2023 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. "Sir, it's Robert and [my niece] on the tape," she said during the emotional trial, according to MTV. Its impact cannot be overstated and a month later, Kelly was facing new charges in Chicago. 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 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. Shortly after the tape was released, the woman's aunt - 1990s R&B singer Sparkle - came forward and blasted her former mentor R Kelly. 8771 1829 linktr.ee/sparklelivemusic Posts Reels Tagged Show More Posts from sparklelivemusic 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 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. 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. Bossip Comment Policy He has pleaded not guilty. But now people are seeing.". Sparkle said in disgust. . Singer who came to prominence in the late 90s through her collaborations with R. Kelly . The singer expressed hurt and called the testimony a result of their "family feud." In addition, Sparkle revealed that her niece attempting to implicate her in the case is an "absolute will of her mom" and an "unfortunate . "He made her do [those sexual acts]," she said. However, her sister Valerie didn't want to do anything about the tape, and the family became divided. MadameNoire is a sophisticated lifestyle publication that gives African-American women the latest in fashion trends, We've joined the BHM Digital family of websites and have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. 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. 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. Are you the aunt who had that child rub R. Kellys head? In "Surviving R. Kelly," Edwards discusses Kelly's behavior toward her while they worked together. Sparkle has openly confronted the fact that her niece has lied about her in court. I wish they were backing [me] when I was coming up and had a story to tell, but nobody believed. "You couldn't break the chain with us. Please say its not you., Sparkle replied, Absolutely NOT! Now lets observe what transpires in the court. ", More cases against R. Kelly will come forward, Sparkle predicted, if they don't settle out of court first. 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 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. 1 on iTunes. R. Kelly's former protg Stephanie Edwards, who recorded under the name Sparkle, also spoke on the verdict. For years, Sparkle has made claims about Kelly allegedly abusing her niece . Though praising her niece for finally cooperating with prosecutors, the singer says that she is at the center of a . People in Kelly's circle interviewed in "Surviving R. Kelly" claim to have seen the woman on the singer's property multiple times in recent years. Sparkle also heard the news of her niece's testimony and took to Instagram to discuss the allegations. At the time, Sparkle was largely ignored by the media. According to reports, Sparkle was allegedly suggested by the niece. 3 min read Singer Sparkle has refuted testimony made by a witness recognized as "Jane" in R.. Black women Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, Get our latest stories in the feed of your favorite networks. (Several other people have also identified the girl and Kelly on the tape during testimony. Sparkle claimed that her niece met Kelly when she was 12. Who wouldn't be [disgusted]? Sparkle prayed for her niece to one day tell the truth and shame the devil and for them to be a family again. Sparkle has long asserted that her niece was abused by Kelly. Sparkle prayed for her niece to one day tell the truth and shame the devil and for them to be a family again. All Rights Reserved. Before Fame. At times sniffling and dabbing her eyes and her nose with a tissue, Sparkle appeared to be on the verge of tears but remained composed, although she also became defiant when Genson had his turn and accused the R&B singer of trying to take revenge against Kelly for terminating her record-label contract. 11 Songs. An exchange between two ex-lovers? BridgetEE: A Music and Entertainment blogger/ Historian / Global Grind Freelance Writer In her video, Sparkle read a statement from her phone and said, "Not all that you heard yesterday from my niece is true. If convicted, Kelly would face the maximum of 195 years in prison. 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: Directed by Sam O'Steen. 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's like a robot." 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. [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. 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. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! She said she regretted bringing her niece to Kelly's studio and later his home -- "my mistake," Sparkle said. 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. 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. I've been blackmailed for the last four years, and I didn't give in, and I'm still not gonna give in. Stephanie Edwards made a statement to the New York Times: His Masters Are Missing: New R. Kelly Music, I Admit, Unauthorized, Pulled from Streaming Services, The Man is In Prison: Tevin Campbell Receives Backlash After Stating R. Kelly Could Go Against Usher In a Verzuz Battle. 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. Genson suggested that Sparkle next tried to conspire with former Kelly manager Barry Hankerson "about doing something bad to Robert. 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 . #SomeoneWhoLovesMusicWayTooMuch 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. Its no secret the original R Kelly having relations with a minor (allegedly) video was all over the streets on VHS. 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. In one of his few public comments on the issue, Kelly told Chicago radio station WGCI-FM in Chicago on April 4 that he couldn't comment on much of the scandal, per his attorney's advice. 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. NBA Bans Donald Sterling For Life after Racist Comments. Singer Sparkle was the only member from the girls family to testify against Kelly in 2008, identifying her niece in the tape. Sound it in the comments. 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. "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].". Sparkle has since thanked "Surviving R. Kelly" producer Dream Hampton for once again bringing attention to the alleged crimes. 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 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. Genson accused Sparkle of being bitter and characterized the end of her working relationship with Kelly as a firing. Kelly got emotional during the sit-down and alleged that he is "fighting for his . Trust me. We want to hear from you! Featured On. As of now, Sparkles niece and her attorney have yet to respond to Sparkles claim she lied on the stand. If convicted, he'd have to register as a sex offender. In the meantime, Kelly has hired private investigator Jack Palladino to help build his defense, Palladino's office confirmed. 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. ", Though it's causing division within her family, Sparkle said that she's aiding the Chicago police investigation. 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. She told me that I should ask him to be my godfather, she shared according to CNN, explaining that deepening the relationship established trust. That's it.". Both have pleaded not guilty. "Like she's a prostitute!" That I should rub his head and ask him to take that role in my life., Sparkle denied any wrongdoing when a social media user questioned her about being the aunt who was mentioned during the testimony. Sparkle, the girl in the picture and a few others confirmed it was said niece, but the rest of the nieces family said it was . 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, born Stephanie Edwards, issued a video statement denying the claims. Her family eventually began to allow her to visit with Kelly without an adult present. 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. 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 says she became suspicious of R. Kelly's involvement with her teenage niece in 2001. 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. 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. 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. We were still cool." 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. 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. Last week in court R. Kellys original case, Sparkles niece at 30 plus years took the stand to testify. The young girl who was recorded in the infamous and wide-spread tape of R. Kelly engaging in sexual acts is going back on years of precedence and cooperating with investigators in the child pornography case against the R&B singer. But in 2001, when she actually witnessed the tape herself, she didn't hesitate to call. A new development in the case has resulted from the Sparkles nieces recent admission of the truth. But things have changed since 2008. 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. She said there was no bitterness between her and Kelly over the split: "He was my homeboy. ", Genson then made a comment about the girl on the tape looking like a willing participant. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Three sisters form a singing group in 1950s Harlem, but success threatens to ruin their relationship forever. It's sickening. Mar. Stay tuned to Thirsty for more updates. She began her career in 1998 as a protg of fellow Chicago native R. Kelly. Bop Shop: Songs From J-Hope And J. 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"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. Fourteen witnesses had identified the girl in the video during the 20018 trial, but she and members of her family did not testify. The singer used social media to "put a few things in context.". Her testimony sliced her family into factions, relegating her to years of . "We were thick as thieves," Sparkle said of the family's closeness before the meeting. Fast forwarding to now, R Kelly pretty much got a life sentence plus he still has more charges to face. 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. Whitten Sabbatini for . 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 . We've joined the BHM Digital family of websites and have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Sparkle was born Stephanie Edwards on May 13, 1975 in Chicago, Illinois. She admits that some things went down but now she is saying her aunt encouraged it. At the time, Sparkle identified the child in the video as her niece. 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. As you can imagine, all this drama derailed Sparkle's career. Here's Where to Find the Best Corned Beef in Cleveland! 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. When she watched the recording, she said, she recognized her niece, "You know your blood," Sparkle said. The girl I knew was always bubbly, but she seems like a robot in that video. Kids edition - Orlando And Sparkle. Since the news of her niece's cooperation has been made public, Sparkle says she is thrilled. 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. Its not clear to what extent shes working with investigators, but her attorney, Christopher L. Brown, confirmed that she is indeed cooperating. 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. Uh Oh! Earlier this week, the disgraced singer and his legal team appeared in a Chicago court, where Kelly faces several criminal charges. With Philip Michael Thomas, Irene Cara, Lonette McKee, Dwan Smith. 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. ", Sparkle wasn't the only witness to get emotional on the stand Thursday. "She kept coming down with me," she told the station, "which was [a] safe [situation] at the time. Sparkle talked about her niece working with the feds and said she couldn't be more thrilled about it. 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. "It's hurtful to my sister, to my brother-in-law and to my niece, especially, because it's all her. Apple Music Film, TV & Stage. The video was of a man urinating on a little girl while she called him daddy. "But there are others that haven't been spoken of that have been possibly paid off. 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. 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. The partnership between the two dissipated over creative differences, leading her to amicably ask for release from the label, according to MTV. 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. Please say its not you, the user said. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), singer began grooming the 14-year-old victim and began having sex with her at just 15 years, Prosecutors are pushing for another conviction, R. Kelly being sentenced to 30 years in prison, R. Kelly and Joycelyn Savages Father Denies She Gave Birth To His Baby, R. Kellys Unauthorized Album I Did It Removed From Streaming Services, DJ Envy, Lil Mama, Erica Mena Calls Out Angela Yee Over Breakfast Club Claims, Nicki Minaj Launches Own Record Label, Skeng Among First Signees, Popcaan and Squash 6ixx Boss Clash On IG Igniting Beef, Nicki Minaj New Song Red Ruby Da Sleeze Debut At No. 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,. Since the news of her nieces cooperation has been made public, Sparkle says she is thrilled. 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. 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. 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. 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. "Hampton spoke to me and spoke to my management," Edwards continued.