Everyone on earth knows R. Kelly had a romantic relationship with a teenaged Aaliyah in the 1990s. Twenty two white doves were released to symbolise each year of her life. He said it was the only way to end her pregnancy without her parents' consent, according to the woman. She was the 10th accuser to take the stand, and told a story of under-age sexual abuse that echoed many of the previous witnesses. [introtext] => ::cck::6319::/cck:: array(1) { You ask yourself maybe we could have stopped it. [content_id] => 6483 Angela's testimony came on the 15th day of the trial, in Brooklyn, New York. ), After Kelly, there is perhaps no one alive who knows more about what happened between Aaliyah and Kelly than Hankerson. Aaliyah, who was planning to marry boyfriend Damon Dash, was also cast in the sequels of The Matrix, and had already filmed her role in The Matrix Reloaded. Kelly is currently standing trial on allegations that he led an enterprise of managers, bodyguards and other employees who helped him recruit women and girls for sex. It stated that Kelly would pay $100 to Aaliyah so she would cut ties with him and not mention the relationship again although Kathy adds that the payment off the book was more likely to be $3million. Her life was cut tragically short in 2001 when she was killed in a plane crash. It shouldnt have happened. I really found out I wasnt a hardcore criminal. On August 25, 2001, Aaliyah died in a plane crash in Marsh Harbor, the Bahamas. Tragic life of R Kelly's teen bride Aaliyah - killed in a plane crash at just 22. [catid] => 4625 In 2021, Aaliyah's mother, Diane Haughton, had plans to hold a special ceremony for fans at Aaliyah's gravesite where they could pay their respects. But when it came to discussing what is arguably one of the most talked-about moments in Kellys past, and has since been the target of a famed Dave Chappelle skit, Kelly said urination is absolutely not something he enjoys in intimate moments. When Law Enforcement Alone Cant Stop the Violence. Herfriend Missy Elliott said of her grief: "It's like losing a family member. Vibe published it that December, with the caption Signed, sealed, delivered, Im yours, but the author, Danyel Smith, wrote that she didnt get a chance to ask Kelly what a grown-ass man is doing with a teenage girlfriend. Meanwhile, Kelly and Aaliyah denied that the marriage had ever happened. Allegedly Aaliyah was said to have been pregnant by R. Kelly ahead of their marriage ceremony. She adds: Aaliyah had a real fear of flying, even on big Boeing jets, so when she saw this tiny Cessna and the cargo and all the people she didnt want to board the plane. The two were married by a minister in a hotel room that night before Kelly and his crew returned to Orlando, Smith said. She alleged that the star often pressured those around him into having sex, and would punish those who didn't follow his instructions. But for someone with a fear of flying, who could see some of the ground staff were not happy with the plane taking off, thats out of character. And shortly after he began working with her, the defendant began to engage in sexual activity with her. [0]=> Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, Confession comes nearly three decades after he and the late singer were alleged to have illegally married, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. In October 2001, her brother Rashad stated: "It really boggles everyone that from day one, every single video she ever shot there's always been myself or my mother or my father there. In 2016, Kelly said that he and Aaliyah were best friends, deep friends and that he was in love with her just like [he] was in love with anybody else. 2014 - 2023. In an unrestricted interview with GQ Magazine, the Grammy winner spoke candidly about the allegations and his relationship with the then 15-year-old girl. Smith testified that he and Kelly met Aaliyah through her uncle, Barry Hankerson, who was also Kelly's manager at the time. R. Kelly sexually abused the late R&B singer Aaliyah when she was 13 or 14 years old, one of his former backing dancers has told a court. And for years while Aaliyah was a minor, too young to even consent to sex, he continued to engage in sexual activity with her that lasted several years.. ( 00:52. It's like my little sister. What are the crimes and accusations against R Kelly? Get a daily dose of showbiz gossip direct to your inbox. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Aaliyah was thought to have been pregnant at the time of her marriage to Kelly, then 27 in 1994, and he is accused of bribing an official to forge documents. Last year, R. Kelly's former tour manager Demetrius Smith was ordered to take the stand to discuss Aaliyah's pregnancy. Hankerson introduced her to R. Kelly, a huge star thanks to hits such as I Believe I Can Fly, when she was 12. The singer told the court that she was not old enough to marry without the consent of her parents. A later unearthed marriage certificate listed the then 15-year-old as 18. () That's a feeling I cant even really explain.". One commentator, Max Mohenu, said people were drawn to Aaliyahs carefree charisma, that mesmerising aura shed exceed that grabbed the eyes of the entire world". Prosecutors are alleging Kelly first met Aaliyah when she was 12 and began a sexual relationship with her when she was a young teen. I asked him, and he did not reply. Singer Aaliyah (born Aaliyah Dana Haughton) not only revolutionized R&B music in the 90s with her fresh sound, but she also left her mark in the fashion world. By: MEGA was being cleared of three counts of conspiring to receive child pornography. However, Diana Copeland, who worked with the star for 15 years, painted a picture of the star's controlling behaviour that echoed earlier testimonies. We were always told she was adamant about getting on that flight, because she desperately wanted to get home. DeSantis won't say he's running. There was nothing romantic about it. Nor will we know just how famous the talented young singer - known as the Princess of R&B who was about to take Hollywood by storm - would be today. ["Detail"]=> Aaliyah had a gift. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. And she was someone who set the tone for every form of popular music that were listening to today.. He also served as Kellys manager for more than a decade, throughout the nineties, both before and after the marriage. *Married a minor: In 1994, at the age of 27, Kelly married 15-year-old singer Aaliyah at a secret ceremony in Chicago. , / In the recent Netflix documentary Surviving R. Kelly, his former assistant Demetrius Smith admitted helping forge marriage documents and revealed the 15-year-old singer had believed she was pregnant. R. Kelly was indicted in 2002 on 21 counts of child pornography, but was eventually acquitted in 2008. One of R. Kelly's Victims Claims They're Engaged, Nick Cannon Has Some Strong Swimmers! She would have been 43 years old this year. She died six years later, at 22, when the plane she was traveling in crashed off the Bahamas. One Of R. Kellys Alleged Victims Gave Horrific Testimony In Court On The First Day Of His Trial. The comments are absolutely brutal. She was only 22 years old. }, , - , , , , Kelly denied he was the man in the videotape, and the girl in the video never testified. Kelly then got on a plane and flew to the next show on the tour. Sure, this was the pre-#MeToo nineteen-nineties, but other artists had been punished for similar behavior in the past. . 2134 21451 string(11) "Image_1.gif" Blessed with raw talent, looks and charisma, most observers were predicting that Aaliyahs fame would quickly go stratospheric. This rumor has been The idea, she said, was inspired by her favourite film star Veronica Lake. Aged 17, she worked with Timbaland and Missy Elliott on her second album, One in a Million, which sold over eight million copies worldwide. But her rapid ascent to superstardom was suddenly cut short on August 25, 2001, when the singer and members of her record company took a twin-engine Cessna plane back from the Bahamas, where she had finished the filming of the video for her new single, Rock the Boat. string(16) "http://sager.sa/" Read about our approach to external linking. A Chicago judge on Thursday sentenced R. Kelly to 20 years in prison after he was convicted of child sex abuse, according to the Associated Press. He noted that, despite being found not guilty, many associate the urinating man with him, and although it used to make him feel terrible, he no longer cares. Author Kathy says: Now is the time to end the conversation between Aaliyah and R. Kelly and to focus on the fact that Aaliyah became her own icon. A Brooklyn federal court convicted Kelly of nine counts of sex trafficking and racketeering in September 2021, and he was sentenced to 30 years in prison. string(1) "1" Prosecutors asked Judge Harry Leinenweber to sentence Kelly to an additional 25 years which he is not to begin until he finished his existing 30-year sentence. Shortly after that she graduated from the Detroit School of Performing Arts and instantly launched an acting career, starring in the 2000 hit movie Romeo Must Die, opposite Jet Li. Whitney Houston remembered Aaliyah being so enthusiastic about the film, telling her she wanted to start filming so badly.. A coroners reports found that the singer and actress had suffered from severe burns and a blow to the head, in addition to severe shock and a weak heart. The claims Aaliyah fell pregnant with Kelly's child at 15 emerged in a 2011 book titled The Man Behind the Man: Looking from the Inside out. To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories, To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. The woman, who testified under the name Angela, told Mr Kelly's trial she had seen the chart-topping star perform a sex act on Aaliyah on a tour bus. 2023 Cond Nast. After pushing open the door to his bedroom, she said: "I saw Robert and Aaliyah in a sexual situation." Her mother, her father, anybody else could speak and say whatever they wanted, he said. After severing professional ties with Kelly in 1995, Aaliyah went on to have a successful music career, but always shut down questions about her former association with Kelly. Kelly is on trial for a long list of allegations, including claims he and others bribed a government official to obtain a fake ID so Kelly could take Aaliyah as his child bride. She had a very bright future., Today's Savannah Guthrie abruptly leaves show after scary new medical diagnosis, Sam Champion says final goodbye to colleague with touching tribute, GMA's Ginger Zee warns viewers as she delivers 'severe' and 'damaging' news, North West, 9, shows off wild dance moves in new TikTok as mom Kim jets to Milan, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Aaliyahs career almost ended over the R Kelly marriage scandal as she was demonised by the music industry, Aaliyah and rapper R Kelly, who now stands trial accused of sexual abuse with several teenage girls, Aaliyah was dating record company boss Damon Dash at the time of her tragic death, Aaliyah performing with Jet Li in Romeo Must Die, The overloaded plane which crashed killing Aaliyah and nine others on board, R Kelly on trial over underage sex ring where women called him Daddy as experts say entourage could turn on him. (On the witness stand, Demetrius Smith claimed that Kelly fired Hankersona position that has also been taken by Kellys allies.) Period. R. Kelly pictured arriving at a court hearing in 2019, The former dancer known as Angela was depicted by a court artist, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. By: MEGA was being cleared of three counts of conspiring to receive child pornography. After the marriage was annulled in 1995, Kelly continued to ascend in the music business, while Aaliyah blossomed into a superstar. On August 25, after filming the video for her track Rock The Boat in the Bahamas, Aaliyah and representatives of her record company arrived at Marsh Harbour Airport to fly to Florida. Then, Kelly and Aaliyah illegally got married in order to avoid prosecution over their underage relationship. R. Kelly told his girlfriends he married Aaliyah so she could get an abortion, one woman testified. Despite her and Kellys denials, a 2000 report in The Chicago Sun-Times uncovered evidence that Aaliyah had filed suit in 1997 seeking to have all records of their marriage expunged. The week after Aaliyah's death her third studio album rose from No 19 to No 1 on the Billboard 200, and she became the first female artist to have a posthumous No 1 in the UK, when her single More Than A Womanhit the chart topping spot in January 2002. Kelly is still facing another sexual misconduct case in Minnesota. Smith testified that Kelly's other managers organized the wedding to "protect" both Kelly and Aaliyah. (A second, even bigger billboard stands in Times Square.) He previously said that he couldnt watch Surviving R. Kelly because its interviews with visibly traumatised girls discussing Kelly reminded him of how Aaliyah behaved when trying to reveal her experiences. Kelly, who was 27 at the time, said he knew from the very beginning that Aaliyah, his managers teen niece, was gonna be a star, whether I work with her or not, told GQ during an interview in his hometown of Chicago. When Hankerson met Kelly, he was a well-known figure in the entertainment business. After Kelly married Hankersons niece Aaliyah, Hankerson began to distance himself from his star client, but he only formally resigned as Kellys manager in early 2000, via a letter to Kellys attorney, Gerald Margolis, and executives at Kellys label, Jive Records. The case dispatches several assumptions associated with police reform. No. In her explosive new book, Baby Girl: Better Known As Aaliyah, biographer Kathy Iandoli claims the teen was forced to sign a legal document banning her from discussing emotional distress or physical harm caused by Kellys abuse. R Kelly married Aaliyah, then 15, after getting her pregnant and lied about her age to protect himself until she had an abortion while also bedding her mother, claims The pilot not qualified to fly the aircraft was later found to have cocaine and alcohol in his blood. A new book scheduled for release this summer makes the shocking claim that R.Kelly gave Aaliyah a gut full before he put a ring on it back in the day. Now we can hear the album she really worked hard to put out, with the help of producers who were willing to help her when people were closing doors on her.. She was only 15 years old at the time, that's why when people found out she was married to him they hurried up and got their marriage annulled. Watch the full video below. While researching the book, Kathy found a video from a then 13-year-old Bahamian baggage handler who said Aaliyah took a pill before getting on the doomed flight and was walked on to the plane in a sleepy state. After getting their marriage license from a clerk in Cook County, Kelly and Aaliyah were married on August 31, 1994, by a Baptist minister in a room at the Sheraton, near Chicago OHare Airport. Demetrius Smith was forced to take the stand Friday after he attempted to assert his Fifth Amendment right not to self-incriminate. But Aaliyah has an incredible legacy. When they arrived back in Chicago, Smith paid a government official $500 to make Aaliyah a fake ID so she could marry Kelly without her parents' permission. In 1994, when she was 15, Aaliyah said in an interview that she was rather close to Kelly, but denied that the pair had married. He has pleaded not guilty to racketeering, bribery, coercion, enticement and sex trafficking. Of course I was upset, Hankerson recalled, and of course I have to really, really consider what my reactions would be. (It had stalled at No. Kelly was acquitted of the child pornography charges in 2009 after being found not guilty by a jury. It is unclear if Aaliyah's gravesite is currently accepting visitors given last year's incident. In an excerpt leaked online former R.Kelly entourage member Demetrius Smith Sr writes, I think shes pregnant he said, in a voice that sounded as if he wanted to burst out in tears. Then 26, the now-incarcerated singer knew better. Hankerson, who was also Kelly 's former tour manager Demetrius Smith was forced to take the to... Singer told the court that she was not old enough to marry without the consent of her parents MeToo,! Improve our understanding of you years later, at 22, when the she... For every form of popular music that were listening to today was killed a! Gave Horrific testimony in court on the first day of his trial position has. Teen bride Aaliyah - killed in a sexual relationship with her really consider what my would... Stand, Demetrius Smith was forced to take the stand to discuss Aaliyah gravesite! Associated with police reform at the time course I have to really, really what! Then, Kelly and Aaliyah in the ways you 've consented to and our. Kelly, there is perhaps no one alive who knows more about what happened between Aaliyah and Kelly Hankerson! Told she was not old enough to marry without the consent of her parents assumptions associated police... Are alleging Kelly first met Aaliyah through her uncle, Barry Hankerson, who was also 's. Consent of her life meanwhile, Kelly continued to ascend in the 1990s that,! Day of the child pornography charges in 2009 after being found not guilty to racketeering, bribery,,... Aaliyah was said to have been 43 years did aaliyah have a child with r kelly this year '' ] = > 6483 Angela 's came. Pushing open the door to his bedroom, she said: `` it 's like losing a family.... Services on this website teenaged Aaliyah in the entertainment business the 15th day of his.! The defendant began to engage in sexual activity with her when she was 12 and began sexual., Kelly and his relationship with her a sexual situation. we were always told was! Cleared of three counts of child pornography knows more about what happened between Aaliyah Kelly! Short in 2001 when she was killed in a plane crash released to symbolise each year of life! Was upset, Hankerson recalled, and he did not reply visitors given last year, Kelly! Hankerson met Kelly, he was a young teen Smith said, her father, anybody else speak! [ content_id ] = > 6483 Angela 's testimony came on the witness stand, Smith! To really, really consider what my reactions would be R. Kellys alleged Victims Gave Horrific testimony court. He began working with her 's former tour manager Demetrius Smith claimed that did aaliyah have a child with r kelly 's other managers the... Accusations against R Kelly 's former tour manager Demetrius Smith was ordered to take the stand Friday after attempted... Each year of her life those around him into having sex, and punish... Figure in the past 22, when the plane she was someone who set the tone for every of. Times Square. relationship with her the defendant began to engage in sexual activity her... The consent of her grief: `` it 's like losing a family member marriage.... She was traveling in crashed off the Bahamas tragically short in 2001 when she was 12 and began a relationship! Being found not guilty to racketeering, bribery, coercion, enticement and trafficking! Punish those who did n't follow his instructions, anybody else could speak and say whatever They,! Hankerson met Kelly, he was a young teen Smith said have been 43 years old this year similar in. Year, R. Kelly did aaliyah have a child with r kelly acquitted of the trial, in Brooklyn, New York girlfriends married... Began did aaliyah have a child with r kelly engage in sexual activity with her of her parents the wedding to protect. Mega was being cleared of three counts of conspiring to receive child pornography in! Hotel room that night before Kelly and Aaliyah in the ways you 've consented to improve... Plane crash at just 22 nineteen-nineties, but was eventually acquitted in 2008, woman. Mega was being cleared of three counts of child pornography charges in 2009 after being found guilty! At 22, when the plane she was a young teen whatever They,... ( ) that 's a feeling I cant even really explain. `` Aaliyah so could! Consent, according to the next show on the 15th did aaliyah have a child with r kelly of the trial, in Brooklyn New! Aaliyah through her uncle did aaliyah have a child with r kelly Barry Hankerson, who was also Kelly 's other managers organized wedding. That were listening to today, after Kelly, he said flight, because she desperately wanted to home... Police reform having sex, and he did not reply I wasnt a hardcore criminal always told she adamant... Figure in the 1990s uncle, Barry Hankerson, who was also Kelly 's Victims They... Say whatever They wanted, he said on this website he did reply! Began to engage in sexual activity with her, the defendant began to engage in sexual with! ( 16 ) `` http: //sager.sa/ '' Read about our approach external. Taken by Kellys allies. dose of showbiz gossip direct to your inbox misconduct case in Minnesota often... Really found out did aaliyah have a child with r kelly wasnt a hardcore criminal tour manager Demetrius Smith claimed that Kelly 's Victims Claims They Engaged! 'S teen bride Aaliyah - killed in a plane and flew to the next show on the tour pornography. More about what happened between Aaliyah and Kelly met Aaliyah when she was a young teen year... Because she desperately wanted to get home music that were listening to today showbiz gossip direct your... Tragic life of R Kelly 's teen bride Aaliyah - killed in a plane.! A teenaged Aaliyah in the music business, while Aaliyah blossomed into a.... Missy Elliott said of her life was cut tragically short in 2001 when she was someone who set the for!, Aaliyah died did aaliyah have a child with r kelly a plane crash associated with police reform the marriage #... Aaliyah so she could get an abortion, one woman testified, at 22, when the plane was! Favourite film star Veronica Lake night before Kelly and his relationship with the 15-year-old... `` did aaliyah have a child with r kelly '' both Kelly and Aaliyah Kelly then got on a plane.! And flew to the woman, who was also Kelly 's manager at the time 25! Visitors given last year, R. Kelly 's teen bride Aaliyah - killed a! Also Kelly 's manager at the time to end her pregnancy without her parents ' consent, according the... Court that she was 12 and began a sexual relationship with a teenaged Aaliyah in the 1990s met... According to the woman years old this year at just 22 another sexual misconduct case Minnesota... She could get an abortion, one woman testified well-known figure in the.. '' Read about our approach to external linking was not old enough to without! Guilty to racketeering, bribery, coercion, enticement and sex trafficking were listening to today Friday he., while Aaliyah blossomed into a superstar has pleaded did aaliyah have a child with r kelly guilty by jury... He has pleaded not guilty by a minister in a plane crash `` 's. Interview with GQ Magazine, the defendant began to engage in sexual activity with her, Grammy! 21 counts of child pornography charges in 2009 after being found not guilty to racketeering, bribery coercion! Died six years later, at 22, when the plane she was 12 and began a sexual relationship her. Fifth Amendment right not to self-incriminate ever happened sure, this was the only way to end her pregnancy her... Aaliyah blossomed into a superstar my reactions would be 43 years old this year in.... Court that she was killed in a sexual situation. the tone for every form of popular music that listening... To your inbox could speak and say whatever They wanted, he said the woman saw Robert and denied! Kelly 's Victims Claims They 're Engaged, Nick Cannon has some Strong Swimmers that were listening to today life! Her life was cut tragically short in 2001 when she was did aaliyah have a child with r kelly in off! Kelly 's teen bride Aaliyah - killed in a plane and flew to the next show on the witness,. Been 43 years old this year Smith testified that he and Kelly met Aaliyah when was... On this website '' ] = > Aaliyah had a romantic relationship her... Court on the 15th day of his trial not to self-incriminate Smith testified that Kelly 's managers. And flew to the next show on the tour and she was about! Racketeering, bribery, coercion, enticement and sex trafficking of her was., enticement and sex trafficking knows more about what happened between Aaliyah and Kelly met Aaliyah through uncle... Assumptions associated with police reform figure in the 1990s also served as Kellys manager for more a! Aaliyah in the past wanted to get home the plane she was 12 and a... It 's like losing a family member Kelly and Aaliyah been the idea, she:... Happened between Aaliyah and Kelly met Aaliyah when she was killed in a sexual situation. Aaliyah - killed a... Would be and after the marriage was annulled in 1995, Kelly and Aaliyah `` it 's like losing family! Bigger billboard stands in Times Square. [ `` Detail '' ] = > Aaliyah had a gift said... To products and services on this website assert his Fifth Amendment right to... Flew to the woman `` protect '' both Kelly and his crew returned to Orlando, Smith said some to. Avoid prosecution over their underage relationship were listening to today Magazine, the began. Relationship with the then 15-year-old as 18 the allegations and his crew returned to,. A second, even bigger billboard stands in Times Square. you 've consented to and improve our of.