In 2024, R. Kelly’s daughter Buku Abi, born Joann Kelly, bravely opened up about the profound impact her father’s actions had on her mental health and overall well-being. Nearing the two-year mark since she made her revelations public, Abi is now reflecting on her healing journey and the complexities surrounding her family’s past.
During a heartfelt appearance on Reginae Carter’s show “Heir Time,” she candidly discussed the intense backlash her family faced after she and her mother came forward about the abuse inflicted by R&B star R. Kelly. “She needed that,” Abi stated, referring to her mother’s participation in the viral Surviving R. Kelly documentary. While she expressed happiness for her mother’s cathartic release, she recognized the bittersweet nature of their family’s public ordeal.
Remarkably, as the conversation shifted to her personal healing, Abi noted her relief over social media’s departure from her father’s controversies, feeling it provided a clearer path for her recovery. In the docuseries “R. Kelly’s Karma: A Daughter’s Journey,” Abi disclosed that she was molested by her father at the tender age of eight, a trauma that spiraled into severe mental health struggles, self-harm, and multiple suicide attempts. “For a long time, I was in a really hard space mentally,” she recounted, emphasizing the gravity of her experiences.
R. Kelly, who has profoundly denied his daughter’s allegations, faced serious legal repercussions when he was convicted in 2021 of racketeering and sex trafficking in New York and child pornography in Chicago in 2022. Presently, he is serving a 30-year prison sentence. Through these tumultuous times, Abi has found ways to cope and heal, sharing that she is still in the process of discovering healthier mechanisms for managing her mental health.
“Honestly, I’m still learning,” she admitted, discussing her journey towards understanding what truly works for her. While she touched upon her struggles with mental health and substance use, she emphasized that her coping methods have always been evolving. “I try my best to just keep my focus on God,” she conveyed, finding solace in her spirituality during difficult moments.
A significant aspect of Abi’s narrative is her relationship with her father. She clarified, “I love my father, okay? It’s a big misconception that there is hate or animosity towards him. It’s none of that.” She elaborated that while love exists, accountability is crucial. “At the end of the day, I went through what I went through. My family went through what they went through, and I’m going to hold people accountable for their actions.” Her balancing act of love and accountability showcases the complexity of familial relationships intertwined with trauma.
When reflecting on the public perception of her family, Abi shared a poignant insight: “We are a very genuine family unit, and we wear our hearts on our sleeves. The sh*t that we’ve been through is real. It’s not fake. It’s not scripted.” Her statement is a reminder of the deep, often messy realities families face behind the veil of public scrutiny. Abi invites others to consider this humanity when discussing her and her family’s experiences.