According to Pitchfork, R. Kelly’s ex-girlfriend Kitti Jones has come forward with a testimony of alleged sexual coercion and physical abuse against him. Jones, a Dallas radio DJ describes her relationship with Kelly from 2011-2013 in a Rolling Stone interview.
Jones says that the abuse happened after she “challenged” Kelly about the 2002 videotape that allegedly showed the singer having sex with an underage girl. She claims that within the first year of living with Kelly he had physically abused her about 10 times. She also alleges that Kelly forced her into having sex with other women that she associated with, and did not allow her to eat if she defied him. Jones professes that he “kicked her multiple times and delivered a series of open-handed slaps to her face,” as reported by writer Jason Newman.
Jones is just one of the women who claim that Kelly abused and manipulated them in what has been described as a “cult.” Jones’ new confessions — like being made to wear baggy clothes in public, asking for permission to use the bathroom or shower, and having restricted cell phone use and access—align with past allegations.
R. Kelly’s representative sent the following statement in response to Jones’ allegations:
“Mr. Kelly is aware of the repeated and now evolving claims of [Ms. Jones]. It is unfortunate that Ms. Jones, after public statements to the contrary, is now attempting to portray a relationship history with Mr. Kelly as anything other than consensual involvement between two adults. As stated previously, Mr. Kelly does not control the decision-making or force the actions of any other human being, including Ms. Jones, by her own admission. Any claim of wrongdoing of any kind or of mistreatment of any woman by him is false, ill-motived and defamatory.”