New details have surfaced as scrutiny of R. Kelly continues, this time involving Joycelyn Savage, who has been described as living with him.
According to The Blast, Joycelyn first met Kelly in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 2015 after she was offered the chance to perform for him privately. The outlet reports that a former Kelly employee named Cheryl arranged her flight.
The Blast reports that Joycelyn later told her vocal coach and the coach’s son that Kelly was inappropriate with her during that meeting and that she was assaulted. According to the outlet, she did not report the incident to authorities, and the coach informed Joycelyn’s family.
The Blast also reports that the family tried to talk with Joycelyn about leaving Kelly, but she later chose to be with him full time. The outlet says the vocal coach and her son have now taken what they know to federal officials, including audio recordings and travel records. One recording reportedly captures Joycelyn describing Kelly’s control over her life, and another is reportedly a three way call among the coach, Joycelyn and Kelly discussing her voice and career.
Kelly has denied all allegations of sexual abuse. In his recent interview with CBS’s Gayle King, he denied taking advantage of Joycelyn’s singing ambitions, and Joycelyn has said publicly that she is with him by choice.
The Blast’s report relies on accounts from people Joycelyn spoke with, and the claims have not been independently confirmed.
