The ex-wife of rapper R Kelly has claimed she was physically, verbally, and emotionally abused by the performer.
Speaking to Good Morning Britain, Andrea Kelly said she was coming forward to support claims that have come out about her ex-husband, though she said she couldn't corroborate individual allegations.
Advert
The singer's daughter, Joann, 21, revealed that she doesn't speak to her father but is 'torn' as a result of the accusations levelled at her dad.
In a new documentary series, Surviving R Kelly, several women have come forward with claims that Kelly - real name Robert Sylvester Kelly - was abusive to them, which has led to the 52-year-old singer now being investigated by the police.
Andrea said: "We're dealing with this as best as possible. It is very personal, him being my ex-husband and the father of my children.
"In the beginning, Robert the person was funny, and we started out as friends. It evolved into a relationship - he was very broken, he shared intimate secrets with me about being abused as a child and his illiteracy.
"The thing that bonded us was that my father, a Baptist preacher, put his hands on my mother. Domestic abuse isn't foreign to both of us."
Advert
However, despite her claims that the singer had revealed he had been abused as a child, Andrea said that wasn't an excuse.
She said: "I'm a firm believer that just because you were abused doesn't mean you have a free pass to be an abuser.
"I sit here not only as a survivor but also the mother of his children. It's very difficult to me but I know my position. I know that coming forward brings validity to these women's stories so I could not say something.
"We and these women don't know each other so how could we have the same stories about the same man and not know each other."
Advert
Andrea said Kelly had also stopped paying her child support last year.
She added: "I believe he is abusive, I cannot confirm each of these women's stories, but what rings true to my life is what I can speak on.
"He was abusive to me verbally, physically, emotionally, and financially."
Advert
Joann also said she couldn't confirm any of the allegations against her dad, but said they were difficult to hear.
She said: "The situation in the blogs and all the allegations, it's very hard to digest.
"That's still my father and it's a very hard situation to digest as my heart is torn into two different places.
"I spent years with him, so it's hard to see all those people who have been affected by someone so close to me."
Advert
LADbible has contacted representatives of R Kelly for a comment.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: UK News, TV and Film, Music, Interesting, US News, UK Entertainment, US Entertainment