Robert Sylvester Kelly is a renowned American singer and songwriter. He came into the music industry in the late 1980s and quickly created a niche for himself in the R&B genre of music. He became known for his highly sexualized but gospel-tinged vocals. Kelly undoubtedly has a distinctive sound and style and has over time, influenced numerous contemporary R&B artists.
Date of Birth: January 8, 1967
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Kelly says his first girlfriend was his very first musical inspiration. He was 8 at the time and had vowed with Lulu to be with each other forever. They had a play date in a play area by a creek and before the day was over, Lulu was swept away by a fast-moving current. He cherished her memory in his heart and by the time he got to school, his music teacher (who he also described as his second mum) further encouraged him to develop his music ability.
Today, he is on the list of one of the most successful artists in the United States. The Trapped in the Closet star is a best-selling singer with his tracks topping Billboards consecutively for years. He has won a countless number of awards and is unarguably a living legend as far as music is concerned. The I Believe I Can Fly singer became the first musician to play basketball when he was signed in 1997 but his career as an athlete lasted only two years. Keep scrolling to know all there is to know about the family of the music icon.
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R. Kelly parents
Joanne Kelly (mother)
Year of Death: 1993
Kelly’s father was absent throughout his son’s life so Joanne had to raise her little boy as a single mother. She was a Baptist so she raised her kids in the same Christian community but she was also a singer and her son started singing in the Baptist Choir as a young boy. She died of cancer.
R. Kelly siblings: 2 brothers and a sister
Theresa Kelly (older sister)
In January 2019 spread the news that R. Kelly’s older sister Theresa molested him and his brother Carey Kelly.
Bruce Kelly (older brother)
Date of Birth: July 1965
Bruce lives in Chicago, Illinois and is a father to 3 kids.
R. Kelly with Bruce
Carey Kelly (younger brother)
Year of Birth: 1971
Carey is younger brother to the R&B superstar and has mostly been off the public rather until he allegedly stated that his famous brother asked him to take the fall in a child-pornography case. He is a father to 6 kids.
R. Kelly wife
Aaliyah (former spouse)
Duration of Marriage: August 31, 1994 – February 1995 (1 year)
Date of Birth: January 16, 1979
Date of Death: August 25, 2001 (aged 22)
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Kelly was introduced to the pre-teen singer by her uncle in 1991 and soon became his protege. Aaliyah married Kelly in 1994 when she was only 15 years old. Their union was annulled in February 1995 by a Michigan judge. Kelly and his ex-bride however denied that they ever became more than friends but despite their denials, Aaliyah had the marriage record expunged in May 1997.
Aaliyah Dana Haughton was on her way home from a video shoot in 2001 when a plane crash killed her and eight members of her film crew.
Andrea Danyell Kelly (nee Lea) (former spouse)
Duration of Marriage: 1996 – 2009 (13 years)
Date of Birth: January 28, 1974
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
Drea is an actress, a dancer, fashion designer and choreographer. She was once the choreographer, principle dancer and creative director for Kelly’s shows, tours and concerts. That was how they met and what was first business developed into a love relationship. They were married in 1996 and continued together for 13 years until their 2009 divorce.
After her divorce with the star singer, she met Brian Mckee a barber and singer. They were married in 2014 but their union lasted just a two months after Andrea found out he was having an affair with a man.
R. Kelly children
Joann Kelly (daughter with Andrea Kelly)
Date of Birth: March 19, 1998
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Like her father, Joann is also an American singer. She created a YouTube channel in 2013 where she uploads her cover of several songs. Ariiraye (her other name) made her debut about three years ago on her father’s song Wanna Be There.
Joann spoke concerning her father’s numerous sex scandals just a few months ago. She first stated that she would rather not speak too much about the mater but also admitted that she feels terrible about the situation. In conclusion Buku Abi (her stage name) says Kelly remains her dad and family would always be family.
Jay Kelly (transgender child with Andrea Kelly)
Year of Birth: 2000
She was born Jaya and lived publicly as girl until she was 14. Jaya explained that she knew she was a boy since she was 6 or 7 but only waited a few more years before coming clean. She announced on her instagram account that she was now transgender and now goes by the name Jay. In the nearest future, when the time is right, Jay plans to do the necessary surgical operations that’ll finalize this transition.
His mum has been super supportive of his decision to be a boy and even encourages him by telling him every now and then how much she loves him. Drea recalls how when Jaya was younger, she refused to wear dresses or the color pink and was even attracted to her fellow females. The Hollywood Exes star also explained that to have a child who knows what they want and is brave enough to go for it is indeed a priceless gift. Jay’s estranged superstar father is on the other hand not as supportive as his ex-wife.
Robert Kelly Jr. (son with Andrea Kelly)
Date of Birth: 2002
Robert is the youngest child to R Kelly.
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