R. Kelly appears during a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on Sept. 17, 2019, in Chicago. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
R. Kelly’s sisters had a mouthful to say about their brother’s recent 30-year sentence for sexually abusing women, girls, and boys over decades. In an interview with Good Morning Britain, the sisters claimed the only victim is R. Kelly. They pointed to racism as a factor in his sentencing, denied evidence of his involvement with underage girls, and even labeled the known victims “bitter.”
Correspondent Noah Phillips revealed that R. Kelly believes the “color of his skin” influenced his sentence, per letters written from his prison cell. His sister Cassandra Kelly doubled down on these claims in the interview.
“African-Americans have always been treated unfairly and so I think that has a lot to do with it as well as other factors,” Cassandra Kelly said.
Lisa Kelly then backed Cassandra’s statement saying, “just because he has been found guilty that doesn’t mean he’s guilty.” When Noah asked if the sisters accept R. Kelly’s wrongdoing, Lisa swerved the question. Instead, she emphasized that nobody is perfect and commented on the extent of the accusations.
“None of us are perfect, Lisa said. “But as far as the extent of what they’re saying, holding someone hostage and these females were treated like queens, that I don’t believe. That doesn’t add up. Robert does not have to hold anyone hostage. Women come at him because of his status and who he is.”
Noel followed up by asking if they truly believed their brother hadn’t been with underage girls. Again, Lisa answered the question on behalf of herself and her two sisters.
“I can say he may have been with younger women, but as far as underage girls…no” Lisa said. “And I stress underage girls. Who has seen that?”
Noah countered Lisa’s point by saying prosecutors proved R. Kelly married Aaliyah when she was 15 years old. Lisa denied knowing anything about that and refused to comment further.
The correspondent circled back to what victims have said about R. Kelly–particularly the physical and sexual abuse and hostage situations. Lisa kept her response short saying, “a lot of the alleged victims are bitter.” After a few more minutes of commentary, Noah again pushed for the victims, asking if Lisa can acknowledge them.
“I’m not going to acknowledge something that I don’t have the proof of, if there’s a victim, I will acknowledge,” Lisa said. “But from what I’ve seen in court, and from what I’ve studied, and from what I’ve read, the only victim I’ve seen that’s been stolen from, lied on is Robert.”
Lisa then ran down a list of topics she says no one is speaking on, including the alleged theft of millions of dollars from Kelly.
“He’s supposed to be the monster and he’s not a monster,” Lisa said. “He’s not a pedophile. He was just taken advantage of.”
In July, officials transferred Kelly to Chicago from New York. He faces charges for the production of child pornography, child sex trafficking, receipt of child pornography, and conspiracy to defraud, per Newsweek.
While Lisa was going hard behind Robert, Cassandra seemingly showed some sympathy for the victims towards the end of the interview.
“…I was in an abusive relationship so I truly understand where they’re coming from and I’m not knocking any alleged victims down at all,” Cassandra said. “I hope that everybody’s that’s involved is restored and healed period. But the Robert that I have met and come to know is a totally opposite person.”
Check out the full interview below:
