In order to figure out how R. Kelly became the man he is today, he was first humanized in Surviving R. Kelly. While many dismissed the fact that he was illiterate, most focused on him reflecting back to his first sexual experience at the age of 7. “Like anything else when you’re a child, whatever you’re taught, it goes with you,” Robert stated to Tavis Smiley during a 2012 interview. “I’m not gonna throw any of my family under a bus, but I feel I owe my fans, at least enough for them to have an understanding of what I went through. I was molested from 7 onto maybe 13, 14, by people in my family…”
Fans went searching for more information behind that devastating reflection only to uncover that Robert’s older sister, Theresa, was allegedly to blame for peaking his early sexual curiosity. Robert and his younger brother, Carey, were the ones being assaulted by their then-teenage sister, while she allowed Bruce, the second oldest, to roam freely, unscathed. Carey sat with famed blogger Tasha K to tragically reflect in full about what happened during his childhood.
Carey mentioned he was too afraid to confide in his mother out of fear. “If my sister wasn’t there, [my mom] couldn’t work and go to school.” He continues to disclose that it took a while before he realized the separation tactics Theresa had in place. The assault often occurred during periods when either Carey or Robert were being “punished.”
Carey reflected on moments when she was more aggressive. He said at one point, she grabbed his head and forced him to perform oral sex on her. Once he started crying, she began to perform oral sex on him. These behaviors allegedly continued for six years. Carey regrets that he never told his mother what was happening. Despite not physically seeing Theresa since their mother passed away in 1993, Carey explains their last conversation occurred in 2008 after his son was shot during an attempted robbery. He tearfully stated that he forgave her for "molesting" him and she responded, "I don't know what you talking about."
Carey also remembered Robert "bragging" about not being a virgin. "For him, it was a different ride [...] I believe that Robert took it as she opened up a side of him or showed him some things before any other woman had… I think that’s what made him the monster he is today. I believe she opened up Pandora’s box."
If you are a victim of sexual assault and need help, reach out to RAINN.
(Photo: Theo Wargo/WireImage)
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