As you can imagine, all this drama derailed Sparkle's career. "But there are others that haven't been spoken of that have been possibly paid off. In our exclusive interview, she shared that the decision cost her the relationship with her family. Prosecutors turned over to Kelly's defense team a DVD that alleges to show Kelly having sex with an underage girl in the 1990s. Home. 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. Kelly got emotional during the sit-down and alleged that he is "fighting for his . Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Sparkle: Directed by Salim Akil. 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. 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. 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! 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. Sparkle first introduced her then-12-year-old niece to Kelly in 1997 a decision that still haunts her to this day. 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. You cant stifle me. 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 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. When she watched the recording, she said, she recognized her niece, "You know your blood," Sparkle said. Before Fame. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. According to reports, Sparkle was allegedly suggested by the niece. We publish narratives intentionally and specifically to enlighten and transform the world. Stephanie Edwards made a statement to the New York Times: 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 . Sparkle has responded in a video (see below) to her nieces testimony: Absolutely NOT!! 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. Uh Oh! In an Instagram video, Sparkle called the confusion a family feud and stated that she wanted to put a few things in context., Absolutely NOT!! 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. Genson accused Sparkle of being bitter and characterized the end of her working relationship with Kelly as a firing. 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. Its not clear to what extent shes working with investigators, but her attorney, Christopher L. Brown, confirmed that she is indeed cooperating. Stay tuned to Thirsty for more updates. Heres Why. 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. Shortly after the tape was released, the woman's aunt - 1990s R&B singer Sparkle - came forward and blasted her former mentor R Kelly. Sparkle went on to sign with Motown Records and released a second album, titled "Told You So," in 2000. Find a review of [article id="1587729"]the major players in the R. Kelly trial here[/article]. She writes for Thirsty for News, covering world news and entertainment. For full coverage of the ongoing R. Kelly case, see The R. Kelly Trial Reports. Singer R. Kelly leaves the Leighton Criminal Courts Building following a hearing on June 26, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. We were very cordial.". Prosecutors believe that there were many more girls, beyond the initially cited 12, who were victim to Kellys abuse. I also did not want that person to be me, Jane testified. What, exactly, is the relationship between Kelly and Sparkle, and what are the claims being made against the infamous artist? He did say, however, that not all the evidence had been revealed (see [article id="1453299"]"R. Kelly Settles Civil Suit, Defends Himself On Radio"[/article]). "Of course not. By Kelly Butler. 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. Sparkle talked about her niece working with the feds and said she couldnt be more thrilled about 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 is best known for her 1998 R&B debut hit single 'Be Careful '. 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 It's very upsetting to my family. In a contentious court battle, Edwards testified against Kelly in 2008, according to ET Online. Back in 2008, Kelly ended up being acquitted on charges of child pornography. Creator of Bridget EEs Bloghouse, a A Place Where Real Music Is Previewed and Reviewed. 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. 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. Atlanta Black Star is a narrative company. "It's crazy and torn up, in every way imaginable," she said. There's no denying it,' she says on the stand. 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. If you are in your 40's you have seen the video (whether you want to admit it or not). Sparkle testified that she then called a family meeting so her other relatives could see the tape for themselves. Sparkle replied with a strong denial. 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. Her family eventually began to allow her to visit with Kelly without an adult present. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. Kelly has been charged with multiple sex crimes involving four women, three of whom were underage at the time of the alleged encounters. 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].. Singer Sparkle found herself in the middle of R. Kellys federal child pornography trial. His whole M.O., he stated this to me not long ago, is he likes them when they are ripe and young because he can mold them into what he wants them to be and control their minds and make them do what women 'should' do. 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. Sparkle explains that she testified against Kelly in court, although he allegedly tried to bribe her. 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 the first witnesses to take the stand this week was Kellys victim that was featured on the original sex tape that leaked. At the time, Sparkle was largely ignored by the media. Contribute to Atlanta Black Star today and help us share our narratives. The decades-long crusade cost the 46-year-old her closest relationships and stifled her own music career. On Friday, Sparkle took to social media to denounce some of the claims made by her niece on the stand. Blog. What is the relationship between the two singers? Those suspicions were heightened after a now-infamous video, which shows Kelly intimately engaging. Meanwhile, Sparkle, real name Stephanie Edwards, has come out in her own defence and claims that her niece has lied on the stand as she did not push her to be involved with Kelly. Fourteen witnesses had identified the girl in the video during the 20018 trial, but she and members of her family did not testify. (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.) Sparkle talked about her niece working with the feds and said she couldn't be more thrilled about it. Vibe is a part of Penske Media Corporation. While the survivors have now found justice, Sparkle said she still feels guilty for introducing her niece to Kelly in 1997. 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. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Last week in court R. Kelly's original case, Sparkles niece at 30 plus years took the stand to testify. Sparkle claimed that her niece met Kelly when she was 12. #SomeoneWhoLovesMusicWayTooMuch As news of Janes testimony went public, Sparkle took to social media to refute the claims. Sparkle first started singing in her family's gospel music group. 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. Of course Im in full unwavering support of them and their act of courage.. 8771 1829 linktr.ee/sparklelivemusic Posts Reels Tagged Show More Posts from sparklelivemusic 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. MTV, EMA and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. 'You just know your family. In @nytimes Feat. "Sparkle" featured a duet with Kelly, titled "Be Careful.". "We've had contact all along with the girl's family," Chicago police spokesperson Officer Pat Camden said. We've joined the BHM Digital family of websites and have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. But in 2001, when she actually witnessed the tape herself, she didn't hesitate to call. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Im not that girl. PredIQtion Markets. 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? Photo Credit: Gary Miller for Getty Images). A post shared by Sparkle (Stephanie Edwards) (@isparklei). Stephanie Edwards (born May 13, 1975), better known by her stage name Sparkle, is an American R&B singer. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and exploring new places. Stephanie Edwards, a singer known as Sparkle, testified at R. Kelly's 2008 trial. 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. Like she said on "Surviving R. Kelly," Sparkle reiterated that she was naive at the . "I know my family. "But until our investigation is complete, we can't confirm or deny that [Sparkle is the girl's aunt]. She's being exposed to the world. Bossip Video 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. The singer used social media to "put a few things in context.". In the meantime, Kelly has hired private investigator Jack Palladino to help build his defense, Palladino's office confirmed. 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. Kelly would ultimately be acquitted on charges pertaining to the tape. "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. The partnership between the two dissipated over creative differences, leading her to amicably ask for release from the label, according to MTV. She said she regretted bringing her niece to Kelly's studio and later his home -- "my mistake," Sparkle said. She also attested to having sexual encounters with the singer hundreds of times since the age of 14. But after the meeting, "There was one side and another side," she said. 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. Will No Longer Be Pursuing These Indictments: Chicago Prosecutor Drops Sex-Abuse Charges Against Singer R. Kelly Months After Conviction. Sparkle says she became suspicious of R. Kelly's involvement with her teenage niece in 2001.