The Star

K. Michelle opens up about her past romance with R. Kelly and being in love

Kamogelo Makhura|Published

K. Michelle recently admitted that she was in love with R. Kelly.

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American singer K. Michelle (real name Kimberley Michelle Pate) revealed insights about her relationship with R. Kelly, admitting, for the first time, that she was in love with him.

In a recent interview on “The Jason Lee Show”, the singer shared that what started as professional guidance for her in the music industry turned into something more personal and romantic.

“I might have loved him, but he didn’t see me as anything more than motivation for writing. I wasn’t the woman he wanted, even though I wanted him,” the “Make This Song Cry” singer revealed.

She went to credit him for helping navigate and knowing everything about the music industry.

“If it wasn’t for Robert Kelly, I would not know the business,” she said. “I would not understand the skills of songwriting.”

She then followed up with a direct statement and said, “I was in love with him."

Michelle stressed that he was never personally abusive toward her.

“I saw this whole blog that was saying he beat me up so bad, and that I took that and I - no, Rob didn’t hit me.

“I didn’t go through an abusive Rob. My truth with Robert Sylvester Kelly - Robert Kelly always saw me as nothing,” she said.

The singer added that she condemns his criminal behaviour and expanded her critique beyond R. Kelly, accusing a wider circle of people of enabling his actions. 

“Robert is completely wrong in the things [he did], but those people around him never corrected him,” she added.

She argued that parents of victims, members of his inner circle, and even fellow artists such as Sparkle should be held accountable.

She further added that these individuals allegedly failed to protect minors and, in certain instances, actively helped provide him with access to them.

In 2022, R. Kelly received a 30-year prison sentence following his conviction on various charges, including sex trafficking and child sexual abuse.