We've joined the BHM Digital family of websites and have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Singer Sparkle was the only member from the girl's family to testify against Kelly in 2008, identifying her niece in the tape. Her family eventually began to allow her to visit with Kelly without an adult present. Both have pleaded not guilty. Here's Where to Find the Best Corned Beef in Cleveland! Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. "I have an ex-manager that's been on my back," he said. Who wouldn't be [disgusted]? Singer who came to prominence in the late 90s through her collaborations with R. Kelly. His response thus far has been that the tapes are fabricated and that he's been blackmailed. All Rights Reserved. "She kept coming down with me," she told the station, "which was [a] safe [situation] at the time. 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. 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. Stephanie "Sparkle" Edwards, a recording artist as well, was born on May 13, 1975. We talked about business. 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. 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. 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. The prosecution has not responded to the claim. Now that her niece has finished testifying, Sparkle is speaking out again - and what she's saying is EXPLOSIVE. Find a review of [article id="1587729"]the major players in the R. Kelly trial here[/article]. Sparkle testified against Kelly in 2008 but, as we all know, he was found not guilty. Career. "She's doing exactly what he told her to do. It's so very sad.". 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! She said that his acquittal then affected her view of the #MeToo movement a decade later. (Several other people have also identified the girl and Kelly on the tape during testimony. ", Sparkle wasn't the only witness to get emotional on the stand Thursday. Since the news of her niece's cooperation has been made public, Sparkle says she is thrilled. One of the disgraced singer's former artists has stepped forward to defend herself in the ongoing R. Kelly trial. 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. Sparkle first started singing in her fa Stephanie Edwards (born May 13, 1975), better known by her stage name Sparkle is an American RB singer. Its no secret the original R Kelly having relations with a minor (allegedly) video was all over the streets on VHS. Prosecutors turned over to Kelly's defense team a DVD that alleges to show Kelly having sex with an underage girl in the 1990s. If you are in your 40's you have seen the video (whether you want to admit it or not). "We were thick as thieves," Sparkle said of the family's closeness before the meeting. "Like she's a prostitute!" R. Kelly's former protg Stephanie Edwards, who recorded under the name Sparkle, also spoke on the verdict. Sparkle added that her niece, sister and brother-in-law all reported that nothing was going on, however. 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. Fourteen witnesses had identified the girl in the video during the 20018 trial, but she and members of her family did not testify. Sparkle said in disgust. Like she said on "Surviving R. Kelly," Sparkle reiterated that she was naive at 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. Trivia With Jordin Sparks, Whitney Houston, Derek Luke, Mike Epps. 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. 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]). In the meantime, Kelly has hired private investigator Jack Palladino to help build his defense, Palladino's office confirmed. They would pretty much drop me off and then leave, she said about her parents and the introduction by her aunt. Sparkle is best known for her 1998 R&B debut hit single 'Be Careful '. 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. 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? "We've had contact all along with the girl's family," Chicago police spokesperson Officer Pat Camden said. MadameNoire Copyright 2023 BossipMadameNoire, LLC All Rights Reserved | BHM Digital, a federal indictment, of paying the girl and her father to lie to investigators. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. black entertainment news, parenting tips and beauty secrets that are specifically for black women. 2023 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. Please say its not you, the user said. This encounter disheartened Sparkle and caused her to step back from her career in entertainment. Kids edition - Orlando And Sparkle. 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. She was my heart.". 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 . Music Videos. 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., Takeoff Shot in Head and Torso, According to Coroner Report, Aaron Carter Pulled Over On Suspicion Of DUI While Driving RV. Singer Sparkle was the only member from the girls family to testify against Kelly in 2008, identifying her niece in the tape. I'm happy to see the #MeToo movement and Time's Up movement are backing these women. It's very upsetting to my family. Kelly is facing multiple sexual assault charges and is being held without bail. Back in 2008, Kelly ended up being acquitted on charges of child pornography. 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. To what degree, singer, Sparkle's niece, is cooperating with authorities is still not official. The decades-long crusade cost the 46-year-old her closest relationships and stifled her own music career. Her testimony sliced her family into factions, relegating her to years of . ET. Singer Sparkle was the only member from the girl's family to testify against Kelly in 2008, identifying her niece in the tape. Sparkle went on to sign with Motown Records and released a second album, titled "Told You So," in 2000. Sparkle Net Worth: Sparkle is an American R&B singer who has a net worth of $600 thousand. 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 . We want to hear from you! 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 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? "It's crazy and torn up, in every way imaginable," she said. Kelly has been charged with multiple sex crimes involving four women, three of whom were underage at the time of the alleged encounters. Singer R. Kelly leaves the Leighton Criminal Courts Building following a hearing on June 26, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. With Philip Michael Thomas, Irene Cara, Lonette McKee, Dwan Smith. Sparkle was horrified when she discovered that it was her niece at the center of Kelly's 2002 child pornography indictment. "I know my family. Though she hadn't witnessed anything between Kelly and her niece that could be considered inappropriate, Sparkle said she saw hints of things that she didn't want to acknowledge at the time, "little hints of something, little touches," that in hindsight concerned her. 3 on the Billboard 200 and No. Sparkles niece recently confronted something against her aunt and as a result, Sparkle claimed that her niece had lied about her. In an Instagram video, Sparkle called the confusion a family feud and stated that she wanted to put a few things in context., Absolutely NOT!! Though his attorney argued that he was not a flight risk and had appeared at all of his court appointments on time, a judge denied bond calling the case extraordinarily serious.. Will No Longer Be Pursuing These Indictments: Chicago Prosecutor Drops Sex-Abuse Charges Against Singer R. Kelly Months After Conviction. We were very cordial.". She writes for Thirsty for News, covering world news and entertainment. 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." 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. Last week, Kellywas arrested for an additional 13 counts of federal sex trafficking and child pornography charges. She added that there is a family feud, and the victims testimony is a clear plan to try to take her down.. "You couldn't break the chain with us. 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. (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.) Since the news of her nieces cooperation has been made public, Sparkle says she is thrilled. Years ago, Kelly was accused of abusing Sparkles niece, but during Kellys current trial, the niece claimed that Sparkle encouraged the interactions. Sparkle stated that her niece was "doing the will of her mom," who she says has allegiance to R. Kelly. Sparkle did, however, testify against Kelly when he was on trial for child porn that featured her niece. 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. We were tight, tight, tight." Sparkle, who is reportedly the aunt of the 14-year-old who testified that she was introduced to R. Kelly by her aunt, who encouraged her to ask the singer to be his god-daughter and entice him by rubbing his head and sitting on his lap, is disputing the claim. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Sparkle prayed for her niece to one day tell the truth and shame the devil and for them to be a family again. 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. Stephanie Edwards, a singer known as Sparkle, testified at R. Kelly's 2008 trial. 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,.