The daughter of singer R Kelly has referred to him as a “monster” in a heartfelt Instagram Story.
Buku Abi (whose real name is Joann Kelly) shared a message after enduring days of social media harassment in the wake of the broadcast of Surviving R Kelly. The docu-series gave voice to women with disturbing allegations of sexual abuse by R Kelly.
“I just want you all to understand that devastated is an understatement for all that I feel currently,” Abi wrote. “I pray for all the families & women who have been affected by my father’s actions.”
The 20-year-old explained that neither she nor her siblings Jay, 18, or Robert Jr., 16, have seen or spoken to the R&B singer in years. “I do not have a relationship with my father,” Abi explained, adding that she doesn’t want to receive “reminders of how terrible my father is.”
MORE: John Legend Speaks Up In Surviving R Kelly
Abi did not directly address allegations in the docu-series but wrote: “The same monster you all confronting me about is my father. I am well aware of who and what he is. I grew up in that house.”
R Kelly, who has previously denied accusations that he abuses females, is reportedly under criminal investigation.
On Wednesday, Lady Gaga said she regrets collaborating with R Kelly on “Do What U Want (With My Body),” a track on her 2013 album ARTPOP, and vowed to have it removed from streaming platforms.
The band Phoenix also apologized for collaborating with Kelly in 2013 for the remix of “Trying to Be Cool.”
In a tweet Thursday, the band said: “We are deeply horrified by the stories of abuse surrounding R. Kelly. We regret that we were not both more informed and more discerning when we worked with him previously. We fully support all victims of sexual abuse, and it's our hope that there will be a path to justice.”