'I'M IN A GOOD PLACE'
Young woman hits back at startling claims she is being held as a ‘sex slave’ by controversial R&B star R Kelly after parents begged for her release
Joycelyn Savage spoke out after her family alleged she was a virtual hostage
A YOUNG woman whose family claimed she was being held against her will by R&B star R Kelly has revealed she is safe and "in a happy place."
Joycelyn Savage spoke out after her family sensationally alleged she was being held by the "Bump n Grind" star at a secret location in Atlanta.
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They claimed she was "one of many young women" the 50-year-old singer had targeted over the years and has been keeping at two locations.
But Joycelyn then came forward to tell US entertainment news site that she was 'in a happy place'.
"I'm 21, I'm about to be 22 in a few days and I just mainly want to say that I am in a happy place with my life and I'm not being brainwashed or anything like that," she said.
"It just came to a point where it definitely has got out of hand. I'm totally fine. I'm happy where I'm at and everything is OK with me."
When asked if she was being held against her will, she said: "Oh no, nothing like that. I've never felt like a hostage or anything like that."
Though she insisted she was 'fine', she refused to answer if she was free to come and go from the house or reveal where she was.
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Her worries parents said Kelly first met their daughter backstage at a concert in Atlanta last year.
Then she said he invited her to fly out to a concert.
The last time mother Jonjelyn saw her daughter was in December, 2016, reports Buzzfeed.
“It was as if she was brainwashed. [She] looked like a prisoner - it was horrible,” she said.
On Monday, we told how Kelly had hit back at the reports.
It was reported the women are only allowed to use mobile phones provided by Kelly, must call him "daddy," and can only eat, sleep or wash when he lets them.
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Fifty-year-old Kelly also films their sexual encounters, say the reports.
A lawyer for the star insisted he's done nothing wrong and is just paying the price for his fame.
However, three former members of the tar's entourage allegedly confirmed much of the allegations.
Cheryl Mack, a PA for Kelly from 2013 to 2014, told BuzzFeed women are initially enticed by the thought of a lavish lifestyle.
Mack reportedly said: "You have to ask for food. You have to ask to go use the bathroom. [Kelly] is a master at mind control... he is a puppet master."
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According to Mack, and two other members of his inner circle (Kitti Jones, and Asante McGee), the women living in his Georgia guest house and Chicago recording studio last summer included:
- A “den mother” who “trained” newcomers on how Kelly liked to be pleasured in bed.
- A 25-year-old woman who also has been part of Kelly’s scene for at least seven years.
- A new arrival who is a 19-year-old model who has been photographed in public with Kelly.
- An Atlanta songwriter who began her relationship with Kelly around 2009, when 19.
- And an 18-year-old singer from Florida who is said to be Kelly’s “favourite.”
However, BuzzFeed reports checks by police in Illinois and Georgia both found nothing worthy of official charges.
The women, who have not been named, are all of legal consenting age and the youngest, an 18-year-old singer, apparently told Cook County police she was "fine and did not want to be bothered."
Kelly has a long history of allegations of sexual misconduct.
He was acquitted in 2008 on charges of making child pornography, despite a videotape of an alleged encounter with a 14-year-old girl being shown to prosecutors.
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It was also reported Kelly and a then 15-year-old singer protege Aaliyah were illegally married in a secret wedding ceremony on August 31, 1994.
Kelly was said to have been introduced to the teen singer by her uncle, just three years prior when she was 12 years old.
The marriage was annulled in February 1995 at the behest of Aaliyah's family by a Michigan judge.
Kelly and Aaliyah, however, both denied that the marriage occurred and even denied that their relationship ever moved beyond friendship.
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Linda Mensch, a lawyer who represents the superstar, responded to the new accusations outlined in this story.
She was asked about claims Kelly mentally abuses women and that he allegedly met one of the women in his inner circle when she was 17.
“We can only wonder why folks would persist in defaming a great artist who loves his fans, works 24/7, and takes care of all of the people in his life,” Mensch wrote in an email.
“He works hard to become the best person and artist he can be. It is interesting that stories and tales debunked many years ago turn up when his goal is to stop the violence; put down the guns; and embrace peace and love. I suppose that is the price of fame.
"Like all of us, Mr. Kelly deserves a personal life. Please respect that.”
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