On top of new allegations of sexual assault surfacing against R. Kelly and his being arrested in Chicago on Wednesday (March 6) after failing to pay almost $200,000 in unpaid child support, the second installment of the “This Morning” segments focusing on the singer aired on CBS on Thursday.
After speaking with host Gayle King, during which Kelly denied accusations and emotionally maintained his innocence, his two girlfriends sat down to share their side of the story.
As revealed during the televised interview, Joycelyn Savage and Azriel Clary, both of whom currently live with the 52-year-old, adamantly told King their relationship with the embattled singer is consensual. During the conversation, Clary, 21, called her father a “manipulative liar,” explaining how her family encouraged her to lie about her age when first meeting the R&B singer.
“OK, so when I first met Robert, my parents told me to lie about my age,” Clary said. “So when I met him, he thought that I was 18. On top of that, when I was 17, my parents were actually making me, trying to get me to take photos with him, take sexual videos with him, all kinds of stuff.”
After King asks her to elaborate on what she meant by her statements, Clary explained how her family was seeking ways to scam the veteran singer for money.
“They said, because if they ever have to blackmail him, what they’re trying to do now, they can use it against him, which is exactly what they’re doing,” Clary stated.
Savage, 23, who was seated besides Clary during the sit-down interview, agreed with Clary’s statements.
“Everything that she’s saying is true,” Savage said. “Both our parents are basically out here trying to get money and scam, because they didn’t agree on what happened, you know, with music or whatever it could be. And they’re just very upset.”
As previously reported, the parents of both women have repeatedly claimed they believe their daughters have been brainwashed by the singer, leading to them not having contact with one another in years. Clary’s family also claims they have text messages that discuss her having sex with Kelly at age 17. During her conversation with King, she denounced her parents’ claim.
“He’s very manipulative, so he’s the one you need to watch out for,” Clary said, discussing her father. “But my dad and my mom, they started to send threats to both me and him. They said, ‘Oh, I’ll put all your naked pictures all over the world. I’m going to ruin you, I’m going to ruin him. If he doesn’t send $20,000 to this bank account by Monday, oh, I’m gonna put everything out there, and then $10,000 after that.’ You’re trying to solicit me like I’m some f–king ho. I’m not, I’m your child.”
The interview then took an emotional turn with Clary bursting into tears.
“I’m crying, because you guys don’t know the truth!” she continued. “You guys believe in some f–king facade that our parents are saying. This is all f–king lies for money, and if you can’t see that, you’re ignorant and you’re stupid as f–k because you want to be. All because that’s the world we live in. Negativity sells, gossip is what sells, rumors are what sell.”
Following the interview, attorney Michael Avenatti issued a statement on Twitter commenting on the matter on behalf of Clary’s parents, whom he is representing.
“Azriel Clary is presently suffering from years of mental abuse and manipulation by R. Kelly,” the statement reads. “Sadly, like so many girls before them, Azriel and Joycelyn Savage have been manipulated and convinced by Kelly to lie to protect him from serious criminal charges. Azriel’s parents never attempted to blackmail anyone and never suggested their daughter take nude photos or sexual videos. And they have never asked R. Kelly for a single penny. These are absolute lies fabricated by R. Kelly and we have evidence to show that these claims are bogus.”
In addition to speaking with Kelly’s girlfriends, the second installment of King’s conversation with the singer also aired on Thursday. During the continued conversation, Kelly touched on his reportedly dire financial situation, as well as addressed his ex-wife, Andrea Kelly.
“How can I pay child support? How? If my ex-wife is destroying my name and I can’t work? How can I work, how can I get paid, how can I take care of my kids?” he asked.
The singer, who has denied abusing Andrea Kelly during their marriage after she accused him of domestic abuse, went on to explain how his ex-wife isn’t telling the truth.
“She’s not telling the truth,” he elaborated. “I have nothing against her, that is my kids’ mother… I’m not disrespecting her by saying she’s not telling the truth, I’m just being honest. Someone sent me something on my phone saying that I hogtied her. I don’t know how to hogtie people! Why would I do that? What kind of woman would tear down a dad who’s trying to have a relationship with their kids? You know how many kids need a relationship with their father?”
Take a look at the latest clips from CBS’ “This Morning” below, as well as see the statement from the Clary family lawyer.