MadameNoire is a sophisticated lifestyle publication that gives African-American women the latest in fashion trends, 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. 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. As you can imagine, all this drama derailed Sparkle's career. She shared that she feels these are lies organized by her sister as a method of sabotage. ", Sparkle wasn't the only witness to get emotional on the stand Thursday. An exchange between two ex-lovers? READ: Report: R. Kellys Former Staffers Gave Feds 20 More Sex Tapes with Minors. We talked about business. Fast forwarding to now, R Kelly pretty much got a life sentence plus he still has more charges to face. Three sisters form a singing group in 1950s Harlem, but success threatens to ruin their relationship forever. A post shared by Sparkle (Stephanie Edwards) (@isparklei). "Sir, it's Robert and [my niece] on the tape," she said during the emotional trial, according to MTV. His first albums. Genson suggested that Sparkle next tried to conspire with former Kelly manager Barry Hankerson "about doing something bad to Robert. The woman, who is now in her 30s and had been identified by singer Sparkle as her niece, had refused to testify against R. Kelly in his 2008 trial, which resulted in his acquittal. Music Videos. She's being exposed to the world. R. Kelly was later acquitted of all charges. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! What, exactly, is the relationship between Kelly and Sparkle, and what are the claims being made against the infamous artist? I cant help the lies told on me & under oath at all & cause ya momma mad at me cause yall were FORCED to testify 1 on iTunes. Last week in court R. Kelly's original case, Sparkles niece at 30 plus years took the stand to testify. There's no denying it. Recording artist Stephanie "Sparkle" Edwards accused R. Kelly of having sex with her 14-year-old niece at his 2008 trial. 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 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. "She's doing exactly what he told her to do. "We've had contact all along with the girl's family," Chicago police spokesperson Officer Pat Camden said. The Times. "But until our investigation is complete, we can't confirm or deny that [Sparkle is the girl's aunt]. seek information on a wide variety of topics including African-American hair care, health issues, relationship It's very upsetting to my family. Advancing the culture and building bridges. We were tight, tight, tight." Trust me.". Find a review of [article id="1587729"]the major players in the R. Kelly trial here[/article]. Sparkle testified that she then called a family meeting so her other relatives could see the tape for themselves. Now that her niece has finished testifying, Sparkle is speaking out again - and what she's saying is EXPLOSIVE. 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." Bop Shop: Songs From J-Hope And J. 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Genson accused Sparkle of being bitter and characterized the end of her working relationship with Kelly as a firing. According to The New York Times, the girl in the video is now working with investigators after the disgraced singer was arrested last week on a slew of federal charges, including sex trafficking, child pornography and obstruction of justice. There are a lot of people who are very jealous of me right now and they're trying to destroy me.". Kelly faces 15 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. With Philip Michael Thomas, Irene Cara, Lonette McKee, Dwan Smith. Sparkle (Stephanie Edwards) (@isparklei) Instagram photos and videos isparklei Follow 180 posts 27.5K followers 395 following Sparkle (Stephanie Edwards) Musician Obstacle Course EP - 7/13 Response To The Verdict @thecut Life Feat. According to a report in The New York Times, the young girl who appeared in the infamous tape that showed the R&B singer performing sex acts and urinating on the then-14-year-old is now cooperating with prosecutors. because you deserve it! 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 talked about her niece working with the feds and said she couldnt be more thrilled about it. Stephanie Edwards (born May 13, 1975), better known by her stage name Sparkle, is an American R&B singer. I also did not want that person to be me, Jane testified. "She's my 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. We were very cordial.". "I just shied away from the industry. She got . 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Things heated up when Genson accused her of being in on a scheme to either use the tape to extort Kelly or to make money by mass-producing it. She also attested to having sexual encounters with the singer hundreds of times since the age of 14. Kids edition - Orlando And Sparkle. 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. Latest dancehall and hip hop news and music at your fingertips. "But there are others that haven't been spoken of that have been possibly paid off. Career. About. According to the niece that is identified as Jane Doe, her aunt said,That I should rub his head and ask him to take that role in my life. as the young teens Godfather. 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. 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 . By Kelly Butler. 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. 2023 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. It's sickening. There's no denying it,' she says on the stand. Prosecutors say he victimized 12 women, at least eight of whom were underage at the time of the events. 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. Naked Pic of Serena Williams Goes Viral! 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In the meantime, Kelly has hired private investigator Jack Palladino to help build his defense, Palladino's office confirmed. | Follow on Twitter: @BridgetEE and IG: @Bridgetee26, Source: MadameNoire.com/iOne Digital / MadameNoire. "Sir, it's Robert and [my niece] on the tape," she said. When she watched the recording, she said, she recognized her niece, "You know your blood," Sparkle said. For full coverage of R. Kelly, see "The R. Kelly Reports.". (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.) "We've had contact all along with the girl's family," Chicago police spokesperson Officer Pat Camden said. @lifetimetv SRK For Girls/Women linktr.ee/isparklei Posts Reels Videos Tagged 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. 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Sparkle went on to sign with Motown Records and released a second album, titled "Told You So," in 2000. Singer Sparkle, who formerly recorded with Kelly, says Landfair is her niece. At the time, she and her family denied her appearance in the video and refused to testify. At the time, Sparkle identified the child in the video as her niece. During an Instagram broadcast, she decided to put a few things in context.. Sparkles niece recently confronted something against her aunt and as a result, Sparkle claimed that her niece had lied about her. I know them. "Anger? Years ago, Kelly was accused of abusing Sparkles niece, but during Kellys current trial, the niece claimed that Sparkle encouraged the interactions. The "Better Be Careful" singer was one of the first people to go public about . Kelly would ultimately be acquitted on charges pertaining to the tape. 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. Sparkle's niece recently confronted something against her aunt and as a result, Sparkle claimed that her niece had lied about her. She was my heart.". Please say its not you., Sparkle replied, Absolutely NOT!