The ex-wife of highly controversial vocalist R. Kelly has something to say to those who want her name to change.
The Kelly’s rocky road
R&B singer and convicted sex offender Robert Kelly left behind an ex-wife, Andrea Kelly, and three children upon his July 2019 arrest. Since then, it’s been a nonstop barrage of bad karma for the ‘Same Girl’ star. From violent inmates to catching Covid-19, the once-revered Chicago native has had a nasty downfall.You would think people close to Robert Kelly would distance themselves as much as possible, but Andrea is standing firm.
Although Andrea and Robert officially called it quits in 2009, the former choreographer still uses his last name. This has caused much criticism for Kelly in the wake of her ex-husband’s racketeering and sex trafficking charges.
Despite the disapproval, Andrea has continued advocating for domestic violence victims over the years. She’s spoken up several times about the financial, mental, and physical abuse that occurred during her 13-year marriage. “Some days were abusive, but it was an abusive relationship and an abusive marriage from day one,” Kelly told The Atlanta Voice. Even so, Andrea claims she has no regrets when it comes to Robert Kelly.
Andrea wont turn her back
“Not at all,” she said during an interview with Turnt Out With TS Madison. “I have three beautiful children to regret marrying, and that’s what people don’t understand. I sit in a special place. I’m a survivor, and I’m also his ex-wife and the mother of his children. So, to regret ever meeting him means I regret my children. I have the best part of him, his three kids,” she explained.
The Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta celeb expounded further on why she doesn’t feel the need to drop her last name.
“I don’t have his last name. It’s not like he left me a house, and even if he did and I decided to live in it till the day I die that is my business. My last name is not a car lease,” she started.
“You don’t turn it in at the end of the marriage. My name is Andrea Daniel Kelly. I earned that name, blood, sweat and tears. And people should not be worried about why I kept the last name, they should be more concerned with what I do with the last name.”
This isn’t the first time Kelly has had to go on the record to defend her choice. “At the end of the day, if my last name wasn’t Kelly, you wouldn’t be looking me up on Instagram and you wouldn’t be looking me up and TMZ wouldn’t be calling me,” she told Jeannie Mai during a 2020 Hollywood Exes reunion.
Even with all the explanations over the years, the reception is still poor. “Blood, sweat, and tears for what? I’m confused. Keeping that name is not a prize. Your name could be anything and we still won’t care,” one commenter wrote on TS Madison’s video.
“When ya tryna start relevant???”
“Abuse is sickness…that’s all I gotta say. My previous abuser could never be my validation.” another commenter wrote.
If Andrea Kelly want to distance herself from that man why she still got his last name still?
Andrea is seemingly content with the pushback from the public and has no plans to budge. “People try to crucify me for the very thing they’re curious about, so don’t worry about the last name, worry about what I’m doing with it.”
An ambitious young journalist from Baltimore, Maryland with a passion for releasing candid and accurate information to the public. Has experience in broadcast, reporting, and editing. Always strives to make stories unique and captivating while telling the truth. Currently pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Broadcast Journalism.
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