Nationwide — Reshona Landfair, who was 14 years previous when a video leaked displaying singer R. Kelly urinating on her, has lastly revealed her id and is sharing her story publicly for the primary time. She testified anonymously in R. Kelly’s 2022 trial, however is now opening up about years of abuse by the singer and the lengthy journey to reclaim her life.
Landfair, now 41, has detailed her experiences in her new memoir Who’s Watching Shorty?: Reclaiming Myself from the Disgrace of R. Kelly’s Abuse, the place she confirms that she was the 14-year-old woman in a 2001 intercourse tape that introduced Kelly his first authorized bother, a case that shocked the nation.
Landfair grew up in a musical household in Chicago with goals of performing. Her aunt, R&B singer Sparkle, launched her to Kelly, who grew to become her godfather. Landfair says the connection rapidly turned exploitative, with Kelly grooming her from round age 13. Authorities reportedly dismissed early considerations, permitting the abuse to proceed.
In response to Rolling Out, simply earlier than turning 17, Landfair says she discovered the tape filmed at 14 was being offered nationwide. She recollects feeling confused and powerless as Kelly manipulated her and her household, even claiming he was in love together with her. In 2008, Kelly was acquitted of kid pornography costs. Landfair later expressed remorse for mendacity to guard herself, which allowed him to keep away from accountability.
The 2019 Surviving R. Kelly docuseries prompted Landfair to confront the reality. Seeing different survivors converse out sparked a way of accountability for her earlier silence. She testified within the 2022 Chicago trial, serving to safe Kelly’s conviction on a number of counts.
Sparkle denies any position in enabling abuse however helps Landfair’s therapeutic. Kelly’s authorized crew declined to touch upon the memoir. At present, Landfair focuses on her 5-year-old son and mentors women and girls by her group Venture Refine, remodeling her trauma into goal.
