R Kelly's daughter breaks silence over allegations against her father

Abi and R Kelly [Photo: Courtesy]

The estranged daughter of singer R Kelly has broken her silence over sex abuse allegations against him.

Joann Kelly said she had been left "devastated" by recent events which have seen her father accused of sexually abusing a number of women.

The 20-year-old, who performs under the name Buku Abi, voiced her support for her father's alleged victims while explaining why she waited to speak out.

The rapper is being criminally investigated following a documentary series, Surviving R Kelly, which detailed accounts of his alleged physical and emotional abuse of women.

The star, - real name Robert Sylvester Kelly - strenuously denies the allegations, but is now being probed by police in Georgia over the allegations.

In a lengthy statement on Instagram, Buku spoke to her 23.6k followers "from the heart".

She wrote: "I just want to say a few things… Before I start I just want it to be known that I am speaking from the heart, nothing I say or do not say is to hurt ANY party reading this or affected by this."

"To the people that feel I should be speaking up/against everything that is going on right now. I just want you all to understand that devastated is an understatement for all that I feel currently," Buku continued.

She also went on to apologise for not breaking her silence earlier. Buku wrote, "I do apologise if my silence to all that is happening comes off as careless.

"That is my last intention. I pray for all the families & women who have been affected by my father's actions. Trust, I have been deeply affected by all of this."

Buku went on to share, "However, It has been very difficult to process it all. Let alone gather all the right words to express everything I feel."

Buku explained her current standing with her father, adding: "Anyone that knows me personally or has been following me throughout the years knows that I do not have a relationship with my father.

"Nor do I speak on him or on his behalf. I also am not fond of dealing with my personal issues or personal life through social media but, I feel things are starting to get out of hand."

Buku continued: "Unfortunately, for my own personal reasonings & for all my family has endured in regards to him, his life decisions and his last name, it has been years since my siblings and I have seen or have spoken to him."

Buku confirmed that it had taken her three days to compose her thoughts so that they could be shared with the world.

After being confronted online, she gave a firm rebuttal of her relationship with R Kelly. Buku wrote: "The same monster you all confronting me about is my father.

"I am well aware of who and what he is. I grew up in that house.

"My choice to not speak on him and what he does is for my peace of mind. My emotional state. And for MY healing.

"I have to do & move in a manner that is best for me. I pray anyone who reads this understands I put nothing but good intent behind each word."

Buku shared that this is a difficult time for the family, "I just want everyone to know that I do care and I love you all.

"This is a very difficult subject to speak on… again, I apologise if my words don't come out right.."

She concluded the message with a round of thanks to those that have supported her: "To everyone who reached out to my family and I, sending good energy and love…Thank you. You guys really helped push us through this hard time.

"This past year for my family has been very difficult, all the love and support you all continue to show is why we keep going. You all fuel us."

Surviving R Kelly described how the singer allegedly ran an “abusive cult" in which he is accused of holding women against their will.

Investigators have contacted several of those involved in the programme including Kelly’s ex-alleged sex slave Asante McGee and are currently trying to locate others who lived in his Atlanta home.

In 2008 Kelly was cleared by a jury of making a 27-minute sex tape with an underage female.