Joycelyn Savage, known publicly as the fiancée of convicted singer R. Kelly, has forcefully pushed back against claims made by her family that she is a victim or is being controlled. In a recent public statement, Savage directly addressed her family’s assertions, labeling them as “a bunch of lies” and defending her decade-long relationship with Kelly.
Savage, who is 29 years old, released a video asserting her autonomy and clarifying her situation. Wearing a shirt featuring R. Kelly’s face, she stated unequivocally, “I am not held against my will. I am not a sex slave. I am not brainwashed or any of those crazy lies that were told on me.”
Defending the Relationship and Future Plans
According to Savage, her relationship with R. Kelly spans 10 years, and she has seen him weekly even during his six years in federal custody. She revealed that they have been engaged for the past three years, a proposal she claims she initiated. Savage expressed their desire to get married and hopes to start a family together, although an earlier claim she made in 2022 about a pregnancy via IVF remains unconfirmed and was reportedly denied by Kelly’s legal team at the time.
Savage’s statement included a plea for the public not to believe her parents’ account, firmly stating that she is “happy where [she is] at,” “in love,” and “good.”
Family’s Concerns vs. Savage’s Stance
Savage’s public defense comes in response to her family reportedly telling media outlets that they do not support R. Kelly’s efforts to seek a pardon. Her family reportedly believes Kelly has never taken accountability for his actions and that Joycelyn is still under his influence. They have claimed they have not heard directly from Savage in years and have sometimes been told to communicate through Kelly’s team.
However, Savage addressed the lack of communication directly in her video, explaining it is her conscious choice as a grown woman not to speak with them. She attributed the estrangement to a “fractured family relationship” rather than any sinister or involuntary reason, asserting that she has a cell phone but chooses not to call them.
Context of R. Kelly’s Convictions
The backdrop to this family dispute is R. Kelly’s severe legal status. The 58-year-old singer was convicted in New York in 2021 on charges including racketeering and sex trafficking, receiving a 30-year sentence. He was later convicted in Chicago in 2022 on charges including child pornography and enticing minors for sex, resulting in a subsequent 20-year sentence. He remains in federal prison.
Despite his convictions, Savage conveyed her personal hope that Kelly will be released from prison soon and asked fans to continue praying for him, expressing her desire for him to receive “righteous justice.”
The public disagreement highlights the significant divide between Joycelyn Savage’s portrayal of her relationship and her family’s deep concerns about her well-being and potential influence from the convicted singer.