Once upon a time, K. Michelle was head over heels about R. Kelly. She confirmed that herself in a newly released interview with ‘The Jason Lee Show.’ The singer was candid about her history with Kelly, whose currently in prison for multiple sex-related crimes, including trafficking and child pornography. And while she wanted him bad, Michelle admitted that she was not the woman he desired.
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K. Michelle Says R. Kelly Didn’t Return Her Love
As mentioned, the singer spilled about her past with R. Kelly during a chat with Jason Lee, who runs Hollywood Unlocked. Michelle is the first guest of the show’s fourth season, which premiered on BET on Wednesday (April 8). She deep-dived into her history and present, including joining the ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ cast. When Jason Lee asked her whether she and R. Kelly had ever been intimate, she didn’t hesitate to confirm, saying, “Oh yeah, absolutely. I loved him.” K. Michelle also said, “I loved Robert Kelly. I loved him,” confirming she was IN love. Additionally, Michelle denied past reports claiming R. Kelly physically abused her.
“No, Rob didn’t hit me. I didn’t go through an abusive Rob…My truth with Robert Slyvester Kelly. Robert Kelly always saw me as nothing, I might have loved him, but he didn’t see me as, nothing more than motivation for writing. I wasn’t the woman he wanted, even though I wanted him.”
Touching briefly on his sex-related crimes, K. Michelle said “mothers and people should be held accountable.” Sparkle is Kelly’s former protégé and aunt to one of his alleged victims, Reshona Landfair. Michelle says she should “absolutely” go to prison.
“Robert is absolutely wrong in the things, but those people around him never corrected him. That’s not an excuse, Jason, because I’m a woman advocate.”
As far as Drea Kelly goes, K. also clarified that’s “absolutely not” a victim. “Drea Kelly, if you wanted snow, he had a whole team come bring you snow,” she said. K. Michelle also denied that she’s sent Robert any letters during his imprisonment, despite his team reaching out.
Singer Becomes Emotional While Explaining How She Felt Learning Of His Arrest
In addition to her intimate history with R. Kelly, Michelle also opened up about his arrest and how he’d once saved her. She told Jason Lee she was in a studio booth when she saw a TV screen announcing the arrest of her “mentor.” As she explained, she appeared to get emotional with watery eyes.
“I don’t think people understand. That man taught me about writing, and this and that,” she said, wiping away tears. “To hear what happened to those women and families, I hurt so bad for those women and I just hurt for all parties involved.”
She said that R. Kelly saved her from an abusive relationship, putting a stop to what was happening. Then, she had to watch him accused of doing the same, while knowing that wasn’t her experience of him. She said, “I wasn’t there,” adding that she “didn’t see that.” Looking back now, she feels her whole industry career has been a “f*ck over” and “not about music,” but more so the knowledge that people know she’d speak out. That in itself has “stifled” her career, Michelle said.
Social Media Weighs In On Singer’s Interview Comments
Over 4,500 Instagram users weighed in on K. Michelle’s comments about Kelly. Their thoughts appeared in the comment section of ‘The Jason Lee Show’ (@jasonleeshow). While some folks sympathized with what she shared, others had more spicy takes. For example, some commented called out the singer for saying Drea Kelly was not a victim. Here’s a recap of the energy under the post.
@chiquita_lasett commented, “The one thing about K, she’s going to tell the truth.”
“K. Michelle, I definitely agree that the whole ecosystem should be held accountable; label executives, staff, patents & etc. And as far as Sparkle & Drea Kelly, they are both VICTIMS and ACCOMPLICES, they can be both things at the same time,” @mrjerometrammel added.
“I say this all the time everyone should’ve been held accountable, including him! Their parents need to be in jail too for trafficking, their children,” @therealdeemanni said.
Meanwhile, @7.1.hicks wrote, “But why is K admitting how much she loved R.Kelly now that she’s married? 🙄🤔 The disrespect 🤷🏽♀️”
@tiffanywysinger added, “The grave! Would’ve taken it to the dirt. Ain’t no way. Smh.”
@ricadinerotv wrote, “R. Kelly didn’t want a woman. He wanted a child. Be clear.”
“Baby one thing about my girl K is she gonna keep it 💯,” @jess_to_create added.
“So it’s okay for her to say that Drea Kelly isn’t a victim but when someone didn’t believe her story it was the biggest deal. Damn shame,” @mariaaa_oxo commented.
