Buku Abi: 5 Shocking Revelations From R. Kelly's Daughter Joann Kelly's New Documentary

Joann Kelly, the eldest daughter of disgraced R&B star R. Kelly, is currently dominating headlines in late 2025 under her stage name, Buku Abi, following the explosive release of a documentary where she makes shocking allegations against her father. The singer and songwriter, who has spent years distancing herself from her father's toxic public image, has stepped into the spotlight to share a deeply personal and heartbreaking secret, revealing the profound trauma she endured as a child and how it continues to impact her life and burgeoning music career. This is the latest and most significant development in her journey to reclaim her narrative. Her decision to speak out is a powerful act of self-reclamation, transforming her identity from "R. Kelly's daughter" to a resilient artist and survivor. As of December 2025, Buku Abi is actively pursuing her musical passions, recently dropping new music while navigating the complexities of her family's notorious legacy, a struggle she has openly stated has stunted her professional growth in the industry. Her story is one of resilience, a painful chronicle of a young woman finding her voice amidst a storm of public controversy and private pain.

Joann Kelly (Buku Abi) Complete Biography and Family Profile

Joann Kelly, known professionally as Buku Abi, is the firstborn child of Robert Sylvester Kelly, better known as R. Kelly, and his ex-wife, dancer and choreographer Andrea Kelly. Born into a world of music and celebrity, her life has been marked by a constant struggle for identity outside of her father's infamy.

Full Name: Joann Lee Kelly

Stage Name: Buku Abi

Date of Birth: 1998

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Current Age (as of Dec 2025): 27 (Approximate)

Mother: Andrea Kelly (née Lee)

Father: Robert Sylvester Kelly (R. Kelly)

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Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Artist

Notable Work: Debut EP Don't Call Me (2019), Single "Swift" (2025)

The Kelly Siblings

Joann is the oldest of three children R. Kelly shares with Andrea Kelly. The siblings have maintained a close bond while collectively navigating the fallout from their father's legal troubles and convictions.

• Jay Kelly (Born 2000): Joann's middle sibling, Jay, made headlines in 2014 when he publicly came out as transgender, a courageous move that was met with support from his mother and sisters.
• Robert Kelly Jr. (Born 2002): The youngest of the three, Robert Jr. has largely kept a private profile, though his life, like his siblings, has been impacted by their father's notoriety.

The Shocking New Allegations in *R. Kelly's Karma: A Daughter's Journey*

The most significant and current news surrounding Joann Kelly revolves around her participation in the explosive 2024 documentary, R. Kelly's Karma: A Daughter's Journey. The film, which premiered on the Tvei Network on October 11, 2024, features Joann, as Buku Abi, opening up about her life and the devastating impact of her father's actions.

In a shocking and heartbreaking revelation, Joann Kelly publicly alleged that her father, R. Kelly, sexually abused her when she was a child. This accusation is a painful secret she carried for years, and her decision to share it in the documentary marks a critical turning point in her healing process and her public life. The documentary trailer showed Joann breaking down, sharing how her father's convictions on multiple sex crimes have profoundly affected her and her family.

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The title of the documentary itself, *R. Kelly's Karma*, reflects the difficult theme of a child dealing with the consequences of their parent's monstrous actions. Her testimony is a powerful addition to the growing narrative of survivors, including her mother, Andrea Kelly, who also spoke out about the abuse she endured during her marriage to the singer.

Buku Abi's Music Career: Stunted by Controversy, Fueled by Resilience

Joann Kelly's true passion lies in music, where she has been establishing herself as Buku Abi, an R&B and soul singer/songwriter. Her stage name is a deliberate effort to create a separate artistic identity, free from the shadow of her famous, yet disgraced, last name.

Her musical journey began in earnest with her debut EP, *Don't Call Me*, released in 2019. The title itself is a poignant message, signaling her desire for independence and a break from the past. However, her career has faced immense uphill battles. Buku Abi has openly stated that her father's controversies have significantly stunted her professional growth, making it difficult to secure opportunities and gain recognition on her own merits.

Despite the adversity, Buku Abi continues to create. In a testament to her resilience and dedication to her craft, she recently released a new single titled "Swift," which was highlighted in November 2025. Her music is a deeply personal outlet, a form of therapy that she credits with saving her life. She channels her pain, her journey, and her identity struggles into her soulful sound, proving that her artistic voice is stronger than the noise of her family's history.

The Complex Mother-Daughter Bond: Joann Kelly and Andrea Kelly

The relationship between Joann Kelly and her mother, Andrea Kelly, is a central theme in Joann's life and her recent public statements. Andrea Kelly, a former professional dancer and reality TV star, divorced R. Kelly in 2009 and has been a vocal survivor of his abuse. This shared experience of trauma has forged an unbreakable bond between mother and daughter.

Andrea Kelly has been a pillar of support for all her children, particularly Joann, as they navigate the devastating revelations. Their joint decision to speak out, both in the 2024 documentary and in previous interviews, highlights a unified front against the man who caused them so much pain. The mother-daughter relationship is a powerful entity in this story, representing survival, healing, and the strength to confront generational trauma head-on. Their advocacy for one another is a key element in Joann's ability to transition from victim to vocal artist.

Joann Kelly's Path Forward in 2025: A Survivor's Journey

As 2025 draws to a close, Joann Kelly, or Buku Abi, is firmly on a path of self-discovery and artistic independence. Her public allegations in *R. Kelly's Karma* have irrevocably changed her public profile, solidifying her status not just as the daughter of a convicted felon, but as a survivor and an advocate.

Her focus remains on her music, using her platform to share her truth and connect with others who have faced similar struggles. The release of new material like the single "Swift" is a clear indication that the trauma of her past will not define her future. Instead, it will be the fuel for her art. Joann Kelly's journey is a powerful narrative of a young woman who has chosen to turn her deep-seated pain into purpose, creating a legacy that is entirely her own.