For full coverage of the ongoing R. Kelly case, see The R. Kelly Trial Reports. The long-running criminal case of R. Kelly consistently takes strange turns that leaves fans perplexed and for which the case becomes more complicated. Trust me. ", "No," she said. Stephanie Edwards (born May 13, 1975), better known by her stage name Sparkle, is an American R&B singer. Best known by her stage name, Sparkle rose to prominence as a member of R. Kelly's Rockland Records and was the first artist to release a single on the label. Robert didnt allow pretty much anyone to speak to me, Edwards alleges in the new show. @lifetimetv SRK For Girls/Women linktr.ee/isparklei Posts Reels Videos Tagged 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. he asked. You cant stifle me. 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. "You have no idea whether this was put together by someone trying to get money from Robert, do you?" Kelly is now facing state and federal charges including sexual assault, obstruction of justice, child pornography, and racketeering. In the meantime, Kelly has hired private investigator Jack Palladino to help build his defense, Palladino's office confirmed. . Sparkle replied with a strong denial. In the recent federal indictment, he was accused of paying off the girl and her family so they would lie for him and not cooperate with investigators. Please say its not you, the user said. Sparkle met singer R. Kelly in 1989. Latest dancehall and hip hop news and music at your fingertips. 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. 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. Singer Sparkle was the only member from the girl's family to testify against Kelly in 2008, identifying her niece in the tape. "But until our investigation is complete, we can't confirm or deny that [Sparkle is the girl's aunt]. Among the issues covered in the investigatory program were allegations made by a former Kelly protege, Stephanie "Sparkle" Edwards. | Follow on Twitter: @BridgetEE and IG: @Bridgetee26, Source: MadameNoire.com/iOne Digital / MadameNoire. 11 Songs. Sparkle prayed for her niece to one day tell the truth and shame the devil and for them to be a family again. In our exclusive interview, she shared that the decision cost her the relationship with her family. People are trying to make money off my music and my name in a very, very negative way. What, exactly, is the relationship between Kelly and Sparkle, and what are the claims being made against the infamous artist? About. Sparkle Live Music (@sparklelivemusic) Instagram photos and videos sparklelivemusic 731 posts 1,870 followers 467 following Sparkle Live Music Musician/band We play your dream music soundtrack Put a Sparkle in your big day. "But until our investigation is complete, we can't confirm or deny that [Sparkle is the girl's aunt]." Sparkle said that she regrets not being a better protector of her niece. People in Kelly's circle interviewed in "Surviving R. Kelly" claim to have seen the woman on the singer's property multiple times in recent years. Are you the aunt who had that child rub R. Kellys head? The Times. 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. The partnership between the two dissipated over creative differences, leading her to amicably ask for release from the label, according to MTV. I've been blackmailed for the last four years, and I didn't give in, and I'm still not gonna give in. Sparkle did try and make up for her mistake, and I don't believe her niece in saying rub his head, I believe the niece is permanently damaged by Robert and her parents and her parents told her to say that to take the blame off of them. 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). Now lets observe what transpires in the court. "But there are others that haven't been spoken of that have been possibly paid off. There's no denying it,' she says on the stand. 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. Since the news of her nieces cooperation has been made public, Sparkle says she is thrilled. 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. 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. READ: Report: R. Kellys Former Staffers Gave Feds 20 More Sex Tapes with Minors. Sparkle testified against Kelly in 2008 but, as we all know, he was found not guilty. In @nytimes Feat. He rose to fame after singing as an eight-year-old in church before winning a $100,000 grand prize on the syndicated US television talent show, "Big Break," hosted by Natalie Cole. 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. ", Sparkle said that she regrets not being a better protector of her niece. 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. I know them. The woman disclosed that her aunt and her parents knew about her being around Kelly. 2023 Vibe Media, LLC. In "Surviving R. Kelly," Edwards discusses Kelly's behavior toward her while they worked together. It's disgusting. She. Sparkle said in disgust. Among things hes already been convicted of, prosecutors accuse him of abusing young girls for decades and filming their encounters. 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. Prosecutors turned over to Kelly's defense team a DVD that alleges to show Kelly having sex with an underage girl in the 1990s. "We've had contact all along with the girl's family," Chicago police spokesperson Officer Pat Camden said. "I'm beyond pleased to finally hear the mountain I've tirelessly worked on moving over the. Genson suggested that Sparkle next tried to conspire with former Kelly manager Barry Hankerson "about doing something bad to Robert. 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. They would pretty much drop me off and then leave, she said about her parents and the introduction by her aunt. 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. She began her career in 1998 as a protg of fellow Chicago native R. Kelly. ", More cases against R. Kelly will come forward, Sparkle predicted, if they don't settle out of court first. An exchange between two ex-lovers? Sparkle was horrified when she discovered that it was her niece at the center of Kelly's 2002 child pornography indictment. It's so very sad.". Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Her testimony sliced her family into factions, relegating her to years of . According to a federal indictment unsealed last week, Kelly gave the girl and her family gifts and money before and after the trial so she would lie to investigators, avoid questioning, and so she would not testify against him. 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. 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. Whats The Deal With This R. Kelly Album That Dropped? Celebrate (From "Sparkle") Whitney Houston, Jordin Sparks. "I know my family. Trivia As news of Janes testimony went public, Sparkle took to social media to refute the claims. All Rights Reserved. She shared that she feels these are lies organized by her sister as a method of sabotage. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. "I just shied away from the industry. Sparkle, born Stephanie Edwards, issued a video statement denying the claims. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google. Ivie is a Nigerian-American, native New Yorker, and journalist covering, Report: R. Kellys Former Staffers Gave Feds 20 More Sex Tapes with Minors, R. Kelly Sentenced to 20 Years For Child Sex Crimes, R. Kelly Silenced Aaliyah & Her Family With Non-Disclosure Agreement After 1995 Marriage Annulment, Watch the Trailer For Surviving R. Kelly Part III: The Final Chapter. Whitten Sabbatini for . 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. Sparkle's age is 47. 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,. She's being exposed to the world. Creator of Bridget EEs Bloghouse, a A Place Where Real Music Is Previewed and Reviewed. Sparkle claimed that her niece met Kelly when she was 12. Stephanie Edwards, a singer known as Sparkle, testified at R. Kelly's 2008 trial. "I had a nasty taste in my mouth after seeing what I saw, and after many people, you know, didn't want me to speak out," Edwards told ET. The prosecution has not responded to the claim. Sparkle: Directed by Salim Akil. Sparkle, real name Stephanie Edwards, also positively identified R. Kelly as the man on the tape engaging in illegal sex with her 13-year-old niece. 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. The decades-long crusade cost the 46-year-old her closest relationships and stifled her own music career. In our exclusive interview, she shared that the decision cost. It's sickening. But things have changed since 2008. It's very upsetting to my family. ", Sparkle wasn't the only witness to get emotional on the stand Thursday. which debuted at #3 on the Billboard charts. "But until our investigation is . What is the relationship between the two singers? Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Shortly after the tape was released, the woman's aunt - 1990s R&B singer Sparkle - came forward and blasted her former mentor 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. Now that her niece has finished testifying, Sparkle is speaking out again - and what she's saying is EXPLOSIVE. The singer used social media to "put a few things in context.". Muskan Sharma is a law student at Calcutta University. She would go on to release a successful self-titled album in 1998, which debuted at #3 on the Billboard charts. Stephanie "Sparkle" Edwards, a recording artist as well, was born on May 13, 1975. But I didnt know that a bomb was coming.. MTV, EMA and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. 'You just know your family. 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. 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. Naked Pic of Serena Williams Goes Viral! If convicted, Kelly would face the maximum of 195 years in prison. Sparkle added that her niece, sister and brother-in-law all reported that nothing was going on, however. 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. 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. Sparkle's niece recently confronted something against her aunt and as a result, Sparkle claimed that her niece had lied about her. "We were thick as thieves," Sparkle said of the family's closeness before the meeting. She added that there is a family feud, and the victims testimony is a clear plan to try to take her down.. 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? If convicted, he'd have to register as a sex offender. 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 . Home. Singer Sparkle was the only member from the girl's family to testify against Kelly in 2008, identifying her niece in the tape. Fourteen witnesses had identified the girl in the video during the 20018 trial, but she and members of her family did not testify. The girl I knew was always bubbly, but she seems like a robot in that video. R. Kellys new case may end differently than his last. She attributed details of her nieces testimony to misguidance and the inability to think independently. Last week in court R. Kellys original case, Sparkles niece at 30 plus years took the stand to testify. She writes for Thirsty for News, covering world news and entertainment. Kelly would ultimately be acquitted on charges pertaining to the tape. "Anger? But after the meeting, "There was one side and another side," she said. R. Kelly was later acquitted of all charges. Her family eventually began to allow her to visit with Kelly without an adult present. For full coverage of the case, read the R. Kelly Reports and check out this [article id="1586932"]complete timeline[/article] of the events leading up to the trial. Sparkle: Directed by Sam O'Steen. 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). Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Sparkle, who had a hit with Kelly in 1998 called "Be Careful," told radio DJ Adimu of the Beat (KKBT) on April 3 that her niece was a fledging rapper whom she introduced to Kelly. Sparkle talked about her niece working with the feds and said she couldn't be more thrilled about it. Absolutely NOT! R Kellys Sister Says Hes The Victim of Lies & Racism, C-Murder On A Hunger Strike Protesting Prison Conditions, Meet Kym Sellers Family First Storm Shyanne Sellers [VIDEO], Maryland Mayor Arrested On 56 Counts Of Child Pornography. Vibe is a part of Penske Media Corporation. The video was of a man urinating on a little girl while she called him daddy. Activity. Those suspicions were heightened after a now-infamous video, which shows Kelly intimately engaging. Sparkle niece is still with R kelly - YouTube Sparkle niece is still with R kelly Capricorn Queen 1.74K subscribers Subscribe 424 Share 169K views 4 years ago #SurvivingRkelly. When she watched the recording, she said, she recognized her niece, "You know your blood," Sparkle said. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and exploring new places. Contribute to Atlanta Black Star today and help us share our narratives. She admits that some things went down but now she is saying her aunt encouraged it. "She's my niece. You may recall in the 2008 trial against Kelly, the girl in the tape along with her family members refused to testify against the singer. 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. His response thus far has been that the tapes are fabricated and that he's been blackmailed. Blog. Who wouldn't be [disgusted]? Kellys trial is ongoing, with the sex tapes of other underaged victims set to be played for jurors. Sparkle was also the one to call her family members when she would find out that the niece was alone in the studio with him. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! "She's like a robot." Last week in court R. Kelly's original case, Sparkles niece at 30 plus years took the stand to testify. We want to hear from you! I also did not want that person to be me, Jane testified. advice and career trends - and MadameNoire provides all of that. So I feel a responsibility for that also, although I'm not responsible for his actions, I feel responsible for even taking her there. Sparkle has long asserted that her niece was abused by Kelly. "She kept coming down with me," she told the station, "which was [a] safe [situation] at the time. In her video, Sparkle read a statement from her phone and said, "Not all that you heard yesterday from my niece is true. 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. As you can imagine, all this drama derailed Sparkle's career. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. Im not that girl. But in 2001, when she actually witnessed the tape herself, she didn't hesitate to call. Sparkle is best known for her 1998 R&B debut hit single 'Be Careful '. "A lot of people know about it, but when the smoke clears, you guys will really be able to know exactly what is going on. Though Kelly has talked to local Chicago media about the scandal, he hasn't addressed a lot of the questions people have about the tapes. 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. 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. Uh Oh! Genson accused Sparkle of being bitter and characterized the end of her working relationship with Kelly as a firing. 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. We've joined the BHM Digital family of websites and have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Music Videos. Sparkle claimed that her niece met Kelly when she was 12. Sparkle explains that she testified against Kelly in court, although he allegedly tried to bribe her. A post shared by Sparkle (Stephanie Edwards) (@isparklei). 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. Sparkle was Kelly's protge in the 90's. The singer agreed to testify in the 2008 trial and identified Kelly as the man in the video and her niece as the girl. - YouTube 0:00 / 25:48 Intro EXPOSED: PROOF Sparkle PIMPED Her Niece To R Kelly!| Andrea Kelly. There are a lot of people who are very jealous of me right now and they're trying to destroy me.". For the past 20 years, Sparkle, whose real name is Stephanie Edwards, has been trying to convince the world that Kelly sexually abused her teenage niece. That's it.". 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 to Kelly, how she later came to discover that the sex tape existed, and how that drove her family apart. 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 girl's mother -- Sparkle's sister -- didn't want to see the tape and didn't want to talk about it, she said. Sparkle, however, disputed the witness account after a social media user questioned her about it. Here's Where to Find the Best Corned Beef in Cleveland! Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Of course Im in full unwavering support of them and their act of courage.. Fast forwarding to now, R Kelly pretty much got a life sentence plus he still has more charges to face. Sparkle prayed for her niece to one day tell the truth and shame the devil and for them to be a family again. 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. Prosecutors believe that there were many more girls, beyond the initially cited 12, who were victim to Kellys abuse. 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. Although a jury acquitted R. Kelly,. She also attested to having sexual encounters with the singer hundreds of times since the age of 14. Its not clear to what extent shes working with investigators, but her attorney, Christopher L. Brown, confirmed that she is indeed cooperating. Singer R. Kelly leaves the Leighton Criminal Courts Building following a hearing on June 26, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Black women She says her. "Sir, it's Robert and [my niece] on the tape," she said. 2023 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. Close Menu. Sparkle stated that her niece was "doing the will of her mom," who she says has allegiance to R. Kelly. SEPTEMBER 17: Singer R. Kelly appears standing beside his attorney, Steven Greenberg during a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on September 17, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Advancing the culture and building bridges. Our societys awareness and understanding of sexual assault has increased while Kellys funds have dwindled. Mar. Prosecutors say he victimized 12 women, at least eight of whom were underage at the time of the events. I wish they were backing [me] when I was coming up and had a story to tell, but nobody believed. ", Genson then made a comment about the girl on the tape looking like a willing participant. Sparkle says she became suspicious of R. Kelly's involvement with her teenage niece in 2001. I was ashamed.. In the old video footage, Kelly can be seen engaging in sex acts with the young girl, whom he also urinates on. Recording artist Stephanie "Sparkle" Edwards accused R. Kelly of having sex with her 14-year-old niece at his 2008 trial. 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 grew up in Chicago, Illinois and first met Kelly in 1989. 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. The victim in the video did notcooperate with prosecutors in the original case, but finally agreed to workwith the government after Kelly was arrested in 2019. Sparkle added that she and Kelly were never romantically involved as painted by the victim. Who, do you believe, is lying? R. Kelly's former protg Stephanie Edwards, who recorded under the name Sparkle, also spoke on the verdict. According to reports, Sparkle was allegedly suggested by the niece. She said she regretted bringing her niece to Kelly's studio and later his home -- "my mistake," Sparkle said. When I learned that, I would go out of my way to speak to people just to tick him off. I'm happy to see the #MeToo movement and Time's Up movement are backing these women. Singer Sparkle found herself in the middle of R. Kellys federal child pornography trial. MadameNoire is a sophisticated lifestyle publication that gives African-American women the latest in fashion trends, The singer's niece, who's allegedly the 14-year-old girl on the infamous 2008 sex tape, recently claimed Sparkle encouraged her to ask Kelly to be her godfather by enticing him. "Sir, it's Robert and [my niece] on the tape," she said during the emotional trial, according to MTV. 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. While the survivors have now found justice, Sparkle said she still feels guilty for introducing her niece to Kelly in 1997. 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. Before Fame. Its no secret the original R Kelly having relations with a minor (allegedly) video was all over the streets on VHS. Nope, Sparkle didn't take a payout meanwhile R sending them on trips and paying for their houses. ", Though it's causing division within her family, Sparkle said that she's aiding the Chicago police investigation. EXPOSED: PROOF Sparkle PIMPED Her Niece To R Kelly!| Andrea Kelly & Lisa VA Have S E X Tape! 8771 1829 linktr.ee/sparklelivemusic Posts Reels Tagged Show More Posts from sparklelivemusic Please read our Comment Policy before commenting. "She shared how she didn't see me as a survivor but she wanted to celebrate me for being the first one to stand up and bring to light what was going [on].". Im letting those who know and support me that this is a family feud, she says at the beginning of her video, reading notes from her mobile device. "He made her do [those sexual acts]," she said. One of the disgraced singers former artists has stepped forward to defend herself in the ongoing R. Kelly trial.
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