R. Kelly’s Estranged Daughter Calls Him A ‘Monster’ Amid Sex Abuse Allegations

“I am well aware of who and what he is,” Buku Abi wrote on Instagram.

R. Kelly’s estranged daughter spoke out for the first time since the “Surviving R. Kelly” docuseries premiered on Lifetime last week. 

Buku Abi, whose real name is Joann Kelly, posted a statement to her Instagram stories on Thursday evening, denouncing her father as a “monster” and asking for understanding for her family. Abi is the daughter of R. Kelly and his ex-wife, Andrea Kelly. 

“I just want you all to understand that devastated is an understatement for all that I feel currently,” Abi wrote. “I do apologize if my silence to all that is happening comes off as careless. That is my last intention. I pray for all the families & women who have been affected by my father’s actions. Trust, I have been deeply affected by all of this.”

She added: “The same monster you [are] all confronting me about is my father. I am well aware of who and what he is. I grew up in that house.”

Abi said neither she nor her mother have spoken to R. Kelly in years. 

“My mother, siblings and I would never condone, support or be a part of ANYTHING negative he has done and or continues to do in his life,” she added.

R. Kelly did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment. 

“Surviving R. Kelly,” a docuseries that highlights the R&B singer’s history of psychologically and sexually abusing young women, brought renewed attention to the accusations and increased pressure to pursue criminal charges. Prosecutors in Georgia announced this week that they are investigating some of the allegations discussed in the docuseries.  

An average of 2.1 million people tuned in to watch the series, which aired from Jan. 3 to Jan. 5, and the National Sexual Assault Hotline recently reported a 20-percent surge in calls on dates the program aired. 

In the last few weeks, multiple artists, including Lady Gaga and Chance the Rapper, have publicly apologized for working with R. Kelly and have condemned his alleged behavior. 

Andrea Kelly, was married to R. Kelly for 13 years until 2009. Last year, she spoke out, alleging she endured domestic abuse at the hands of Kelly in an interview with TV One’s “Sister Circle.”

Read Abi’s full statement on HuffingtonPost