"But until our investigation is . 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. She began her career in 1998 as a protg of fellow Chicago native R. Kelly. Singer Sparkle has refuted testimony made by a witness recognized as Jane in R. Kellys criminal trial, where he faces charges for child pornography. R. Kelly: Singer Sparkle Denies Telling 14-Y-O Niece To Rub Singer's "But there are others that haven't been spoken of that have been possibly paid off. People are trying to make money off my music and my name in a very, very negative way. 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. 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. Sparkle added that her niece, sister and brother-in-law all reported that nothing was going on, however. black entertainment news, parenting tips and beauty secrets that are specifically for black women. 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 . Sparkle thinks that allegiance to Robert still exists. Whitten Sabbatini for . For full coverage of R. Kelly, see "The R. Kelly Reports.". 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. 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. Source: Chicago Tribune / Getty Earlier this week, the disgraced singer and his legal team appeared in a Chicago court, where Kelly faces several criminal charges. Prosecutors believe that there were many more girls, beyond the initially cited 12, who were victim to Kellys abuse. "She's doing exactly what he told her to do. Vibe is a part of Penske Media Corporation. 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. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Sparkle replied with a strong denial. R Kelly accusers share their delight after disgraced singer convicted The girl I knew was always bubbly, but she seems like a robot in that video. Last week in court R. Kelly's original case, Sparkles niece at 30 plus years took the stand to testify. Twitter Debates 16-Year Age Gap Between Jaylen Brown & Mouthwatering Meemaw Bernice Burgos, Barbie Gyal Nicki Minaj Returns From Hiatus And Sets Di Road Ablaze At Trinidad Carnival 2023, Rain Pon Meeee: Ashanti Reminds Everyone How Feathered And FINE She Was At Trinidad Carnival 2019, Chaka Khan Shows No Mercy Blasting Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey & Other Names On Rolling Stone's 'Greatest Singers' List, Funniest (And Pettiest) Tweets From NBA All-Star Weekend 2023. Sparkle talked about her niece working with the feds and said she couldnt be more thrilled about it. Whats The Deal With This R. Kelly Album That Dropped? Last week, Kellywas arrested for an additional 13 counts of federal sex trafficking and child pornography charges. Stephanie Edwards, a singer known as Sparkle, testified at R. Kelly's 2008 trial. 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. On Tuesday, after Kelly pleaded not guilty to the federal charges, a Chicago judge ordered him to remain behind bars without bond, where hes being kept away from general population for safety reasons. 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. "Sparkle" featured a duet with Kelly, titled "Be Careful.". However, her sister Valerie didn't want to do anything about the tape, and the family became divided. What, exactly, is the relationship between Kelly and Sparkle, and what are the claims being made against the infamous artist? 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. Blog. Robert didnt allow pretty much anyone to speak to me, Edwards alleges in the new show. 11 Songs. Sparkle's Niece Reshona Lanfair Finally Comes Forward Against R Kelly Sparkle first introduced her then-12-year-old niece to Kelly in 1997 a decision that still haunts her to this day. For full coverage of the ongoing R. Kelly case, see The R. Kelly Trial Reports. 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].. Although a jury acquitted R. Kelly,. 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. 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. The partnership between the two dissipated over creative differences, leading her to amicably ask for release from the label, according to MTV. 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. 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 began her career in 1998 as a protg of fellow Chicago native R. Kelly. Sparkle Just Admitted Something About R. Kelly And Aaliyah's 'Marriage 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. Those suspicions were heightened after a now-infamous video, which shows Kelly intimately engaging. Sparkle Has Been Waiting 20 Years For This Verdict - "Her niece's Sparkle Talks R Kelly, Aaliyah Marriage, Introducing Cousin To Singer 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. 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. While the survivors have now found justice, Sparkle said she still feels guilty for introducing her niece to Kelly in 1997. 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). At the time, Sparkle identified the child in the video as her niece. Sparkle Speaks Out Following Niece's Testimony, Singer Claims Niece Is ", Sparkle said that she regrets not being a better protector of her niece. In the meantime, Kelly has hired private investigator Jack Palladino to help build his defense, Palladino's office confirmed. Kelly got emotional during the sit-down and alleged that he is "fighting for his . Sparkle testified that she then called a family meeting so her other relatives could see the tape for themselves. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, Get our latest stories in the feed of your favorite networks. "But until our investigation is complete, we can't confirm or deny that [Sparkle is the girl's aunt]. 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. 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. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. The prosecution has not responded to the claim. Sparkle was born Stephanie Edwards on May 13, 1975 in Chicago, Illinois. I know them. 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. Singer Sparkle Responds To Her Niece Testifying In R Kelly's Trial Kelly faces 14 counts of child pornography -- seven for directing, seven for producing. "It's hurtful to my sister, to my brother-in-law and to my niece, especially, because it's all her. While the witness is addressed in court as Jane, her story included identifying details, including that she is Sparkles niece. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Please read our Comment Policy before commenting. Advancing the culture and building bridges. We were very cordial.". 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. Singer Sparkle found herself in the middle of R. Kellys federal child pornography trial. I went at it alone. Muskan Sharma is a law student at Calcutta University. | Follow on Twitter: @BridgetEE and IG: @Bridgetee26, Source: MadameNoire.com/iOne Digital / MadameNoire. Sparkle niece is still with R kelly - YouTube 2023 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. ", More cases against R. Kelly will come forward, Sparkle predicted, if they don't settle out of court first. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our updated Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. But now people are seeing.". Earlier this week, the disgraced singer and his legal team appeared in a Chicago court, where Kelly faces several criminal charges. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and exploring new places. 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." What do you think about the matter? NBA Bans Donald Sterling For Life after Racist Comments. Sparkle (singer) Wiki - everipedia.org The woman disclosed that her aunt and her parents knew about her being around Kelly. Kelly is facing multiple sexual assault charges and is being held without bail. The decision, many believe, ultimately resulted in the jury acquitting the singer. Sparkle claimed that her niece met Kelly when she was 12. ), "I watched a few seconds of it, and I refused to watch the rest," Adra Gengler testified. The Times reports, her lawyer says she is now cooperating with authorities. Sparkle Denies The Claims Made By Her Niece In Court--Says She Never Who wouldn't be [disgusted]? CHICAGO -- "Sweetie, I'm not trying to get any money for this!". Our societys awareness and understanding of sexual assault has increased while Kellys funds have dwindled.