Andrea “Drea” Kelly, ex-wife of newly-convicted singer R. Kelly, appeared on Good Morning Britain and spoke to the verdict laid against the fallen singer.
“I sit in a very difficult place because unlike the rest of his victims, I also share children with him,” Drea said. “I was married to him, so I wear two hats. I wear the hat of a survivor and an advocate, but I also wear the hat of a mother and an ex-wife… I feel that my heart is in two places.”
She added, “My heart definitely goes out to the survivors and the courage that it takes to come forward and tell the story, but my heart breaks as a mother because this is now the legacy that my children will have to deal with and their children’s children.”
Music legend R. Kelly‘s former flame isn’t going up in smoke over a $22,000 nightclub gig. Drea Kelly has weighed-in on Kells coming back into the spotlight by appearing at an Illinois venue for a weekend payday.
According to reports, Drea believes Robert made the quick cash in an effort to support his family.
We broke the story … R. Kellyshowed up to a club in Springfield, Illinois over the weekend, where he sang a bit of “Bump N’ Grind,” hung out for less than an hour … and walked away with $22,000. He asked the media to go easy on him, as this was just a means to an end. We’re told Drea sees it this way … if R. Kelly’s working to fulfill his financial obligations, “no one can be mad at him for that.” Besides, Drea’s rep tells us the man certainly has responsibilities that need tending to with dough … for the sake of his kids. (TMZ)
A few days ago, Kelly announced his nightclub gig and asked the media to take it easy on him.
Kelly’s publicist, Darryll Johnson, said Kelly has no assets to sell, not even his home at Trump Tower, because he rents the condo, and paid rent in advance several years ago. Johnson said he and Kelly’s attorneys are representing him for free. Wednesday’s hearing on the child support payments was sealed to the public, but Kelly’s attorneys confirmed afterward that there would be no change in those payments, and the next hearing has been scheduled for May 8. (Chicago CBS Local)
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R. Kelly child support case continued to a hearing date in May. No change in his child support payments. @cbschicago
Despite the outcome, Kelly is reportedly sticking to his music grind and putting new tunes together.
Johnson said Kelly is still recording music, even though he was dropped by his record label in January. “He’s recording every day. He has a studio in his home, so he’s always recording,” Johnson said. “All he does is sing; sing and record all day, and when he’s not doing that, he’s shooting basketball.” (Chicago CBS Local)
Chicago singer R. Kelly reportedly feels justified in not paying child support. New buzz has developed on the crooner’s reasons behind not coughing up over $160,000 to his ex-wife.
According to reports, Kells blames former flameDrea Kellyfor the checks not coming in.
Sources close to R. Kelly tell us the singer was absolutely lashing out at Drea Kelly when he quit writing child support checks … a move that ultimately landed him in Cook County jail. We’re told Kelly feels like he tried to maintain a relationship with his 3 kids, but he blames Drea for ruining any chance of that. He’s said he thinks she brainwashed them. As we’ve reported … Kelly was supposed to be paying Drea $20,833 per month as of January 2009 — but he fell way off schedule last year. (TMZ)
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Over the weekend, Kelly tasted freedom after paying over $160,000 in child support days after getting put behind bars.
R. Kelly left Cook County Jail this afternoon for the second time in two weeks this morning after he paid more than $160,000 in overdue child support, according to the Chicago Sun-Times and multiple other media reports. Kelly said, “I promise we’re gonna straighten all this out. That’s all I can say right now. I love my fans,” Kelly said as he left the facility, according to TMZ, which also reported that he pulled together the bail money with help from a “benefactor.” Kelly’s attorney, Steve Greenberg, recently said Kelly has been struggling financially. (Variety)
Singer R. Kelly has been taken into custody for failure to pay child support and is expected to be jailed this evening, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office in Chicago. The singer is due back in court on March 13 at 9:30 a.m. ET. (CNN)