3 min read Singer Sparkle has refuted testimony made by a witness recognized as "Jane" in R.. 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. 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. 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! 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 Last week, Kellywas arrested for an additional 13 counts of federal sex trafficking and child pornography charges. ", Sparkle wasn't the only witness to get emotional on the stand Thursday. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Although a jury acquitted R. Kelly,. #SomeoneWhoLovesMusicWayTooMuch I know them. R. Kellys new case may end differently than his last. 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. Since the news of her niece's cooperation has been made public, Sparkle says she is thrilled. The singer used social media to "put a few things in context.". In a contentious court battle, Edwards testified against Kelly in 2008, according to ET Online. 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. Kellys defense team had argued that the girl and Kelly could not be identified in the tape, and some jurors said the girls refusal to testify made it difficult to convict him. An exchange between two ex-lovers? MTV, EMA and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. 'You just know your family. "He made her do [those sexual acts]," she said. 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? 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. Shortly after the tape was released, the woman's aunt - 1990s R&B singer Sparkle - came forward and blasted her former mentor R Kelly. Singer R. Kelly leaves the Leighton Criminal Courts Building following a hearing on June 26, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. In court, Sparkles now-37-year-old victim niece told the court R Kelly starting having sex with her when she was only 14, claiming they had sex hundreds of times before she turned 18. which debuted at #3 on the Billboard charts. 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. Featured On. Like she said on "Surviving R. Kelly," Sparkle reiterated that she was naive at the . Prosecutors turned over to Kelly's defense team a DVD that alleges to show Kelly having sex with an underage girl in the 1990s. Please say its not you., Sparkle replied, Absolutely NOT! . 8771 1829 linktr.ee/sparklelivemusic Posts Reels Tagged Show More Posts from sparklelivemusic Music Videos. 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. ", More cases against R. Kelly will come forward, Sparkle predicted, if they don't settle out of court first. What, exactly, is the relationship between Kelly and Sparkle, and what are the claims being made against the infamous artist? 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. Latest dancehall and hip hop news and music at your fingertips. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and exploring new places. Singer Sparkle was the only member from the girls family to testify against Kelly in 2008, identifying her niece in the tape. While the witness is addressed in court as Jane, her story included identifying details, including that she is Sparkles niece. [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. I was ashamed.. Fourteen witnesses had identified the girl in the video during the 20018 trial, but she and members of her family did not testify. It's sickening. Kids edition - Orlando And Sparkle. 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. All Rights Reserved. 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. At the time, she and her family denied her appearance in the video and refused to testify. 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. 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. Activity. They would pretty much drop me off and then leave, she said about her parents and the introduction by her aunt. Apple Music Film, TV & Stage. Both have pleaded not guilty. You cant stifle me. The long-running criminal case of R. Kelly consistently takes strange turns that leaves fans perplexed and for which the case becomes more complicated. His first albums. Blog. Of course Im in full unwavering support of them and their act of courage.. 3 on the Billboard 200 and No. The victims aunt is a singer named Sparkle, who agreed to testify in the 2008 trial and identified Kelly as the man in the video and her niece as the girl. 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. 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. "Sparkle" featured a duet with Kelly, titled "Be Careful.". In the meantime, Kelly has hired private investigator Jack Palladino to help build his defense, Palladino's office confirmed. The video was of a man urinating on a little girl while she called him daddy. He has pleaded not guilty. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, Get our latest stories in the feed of your favorite networks. She said she regretted bringing her niece to Kelly's studio and later his home -- "my mistake," Sparkle said. "We've had contact all along with the girl's family," Chicago police spokesperson Officer Pat Camden said. Sparkle thinks that allegiance to Robert still exists. Her family would rather keep the matter quiet, she said, even if that means protecting an alleged predator. seek information on a wide variety of topics including African-American hair care, health issues, relationship "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. 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. Last week in court R. Kellys original case, Sparkles niece at 30 plus years took the stand to testify. At the time, Sparkle identified the child in the video as her niece. Her testimony sliced her family into factions, relegating her to years of . ", Genson then made a comment about the girl on the tape looking like a willing participant. Heres Why. Singer Sparkle testified back then that it was her niece on the video but her niece nor anyone else in the family would corroborate her identity on the video tape. But after R. and I parted ways, it was me not watching over her. She began her career in 1998 as a protg of fellow Chicago native R. Kelly. ", Though it's causing division within her family, Sparkle said that she's aiding the Chicago police investigation. R. Kelly's former protg Stephanie Edwards, who recorded under the name Sparkle, also spoke on the verdict. It's very upsetting. Sparkle first introduced her then-12-year-old niece to Kelly in 1997 a decision that still haunts her to this day. BridgetEE: A Music and Entertainment blogger/ Historian / Global Grind Freelance Writer 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. Trivia Sparkle replied with a strong denial. The Times reports, her lawyer says she is now cooperating with authorities. In our exclusive interview, she shared that the decision cost her the relationship with her family. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. "I know my family. "I wanted this to go away. Sound it in the comments. 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). Home. "It's hurtful to my sister, to my brother-in-law and to my niece, especially, because it's all her. Singer Sparkle has refuted testimony made by a witness recognized as Jane in R. Kellys criminal trial, where he faces charges for child pornography. In addition to child pornography, Kelly is facing state and federal charges of obstruction of justice, sexual assault and racketeering. 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 also spoke out in September 2021 after the singerwas convictedof nine counts of racketeering and sex-trafficking charges, and sentenced to 30 years behind bars. I wish they were backing [me] when I was coming up and had a story to tell, but nobody believed. Singer who came to prominence in the late 90s through her collaborations with R. Kelly. READ: Report: R. Kellys Former Staffers Gave Feds 20 More Sex Tapes with Minors. | Follow on Twitter: @BridgetEE and IG: @Bridgetee26, Source: MadameNoire.com/iOne Digital / MadameNoire. Sparkle: Directed by Salim Akil. People are trying to make money off my music and my name in a very, very negative way. In the 1960s, three sisters form a girl group and soon become local sensations with major label interest, but fame becomes a challenge as the close-knit family begins to fall apart. The woman claimed that Kelly agreed to serve as her godfather and that her parents had given their blessing. The video was of a man urinating on a little girl while she called him daddy. 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. because you deserve it! Who wouldn't be [disgusted]? Anyway, this tape leaked and Sparkle recognised it to be her niece, other people did too and that's when R Kelly facing his trial of raping a minor, filming it etc was in courts (that tape being the one he peed on her). Please read our Comment Policy before commenting. 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. Sparkle said in disgust. But I didnt know that a bomb was coming.. Knowing that theres no right answer to explain their ongoing actions and years of support for Robert once learning about that tape, the clear plan is to try and take me down because Ive been so vocal, she explained. She told me that I should ask him to be my godfather, she shared according to CNN, explaining that deepening the relationship established trust. The prosecution has not responded to the claim. 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. "She kept coming down with me," she told the station, "which was [a] safe [situation] at the time. Now lets observe what transpires in the court. (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.) By continuing to use this site, you agree to our updated Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. One of the disgraced singers former artists has stepped forward to defend herself in the ongoing R. Kelly trial. 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 . 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. "But there are others that haven't been spoken of that have been possibly paid off. "I have an ex-manager that's been on my back," he said. This encounter disheartened Sparkle and caused her to step back from her career in entertainment. Whats The Deal With This R. Kelly Album That Dropped? At the time, Sparkle was largely ignored by the media. She said that his acquittal then affected her view of the #MeToo movement a decade later. 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. Here's Where to Find the Best Corned Beef in Cleveland! The decision, many believe, ultimately resulted in the jury acquitting the singer. Sparkle claimed that her niece met Kelly when she was 12. he asked. We were a gospel group just years prior so me thinking about them for them was partly programmed in meagain, Because Robert was given the opportunity to have his own imprint, record label, I introduced my sister, my brother-in-law and my niece to Robert at CRC studios in 1997 in hopes of landing my niece a career in this industry, not a concert as she testified, Sparkle said. "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. EXPOSED: PROOF Sparkle PIMPED Her Niece To R Kelly!| Andrea Kelly & Lisa VA Have S E X Tape! A new development in the case has resulted from the Sparkles nieces recent admission of the truth. 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 explains that she testified against Kelly in court, although he allegedly tried to bribe her. advice and career trends - and MadameNoire provides all of that. "You couldn't break the chain with us. If convicted, Kelly would face the maximum of 195 years in prison. R. Kelly was later acquitted of all charges. 1 on iTunes. 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. Lets continue to pray for healing in this family. 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. What do you think about the matter? In the old video footage, Kelly can be seen engaging in sex acts with the young girl, whom he also urinates on. She says "There have been too many girls to count. Stephanie Edwards, a singer known as Sparkle, testified at R. Kelly's 2008 trial. 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. 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. Stay tuned to Thirsty for more updates. Sparkle met singer R. Kelly in 1989. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. @lifetimetv SRK For Girls/Women linktr.ee/isparklei Posts Reels Videos Tagged Celebrate (From "Sparkle") Whitney Houston, Jordin Sparks. There's no denying it,' she says on the stand. "We've had contact all along with the girl's family," Chicago police spokesperson Officer Pat Camden said. When she watched the recording, she said, she recognized her niece, "You know your blood," Sparkle said. No," she said. MadameNoire is a sophisticated lifestyle publication that gives African-American women the latest in fashion trends, The "Better Be Careful" singer was one of the first people to go public about . Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. All Rights Reserved. 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 . Sparkle prayed for her niece to one day tell the truth and shame the devil and for them to be a family again. However, her sister Valerie didn't want to do anything about the tape, and the family became divided. "She's like a robot." Who, do you believe, is lying? The federal charges are separate from the 10 counts of sexual abuse Kelly received in February in Chicago and different from the other 11- sexual misconduct counts he was slapped with in May in that same city. "Sir, it's Robert and [my niece] on the tape," she said. There's no denying it. Now that her niece has finished testifying, Sparkle is speaking out again - and what she's saying is EXPLOSIVE. Its not clear to what extent shes working with investigators, but her attorney, Christopher L. Brown, confirmed that she is indeed cooperating. 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.