1 00:00:04,079 --> 00:00:07,006 My understanding of what happened 2 00:00:07,233 --> 00:00:09,916 Between robert and aaliyah dana haughton 3 00:00:10,011 --> 00:00:13,161 Begins with barry hankerson, 4 00:00:13,255 --> 00:00:17,741 Who was the manager who oversaw kelly's rise to superstardom. 5 00:00:17,834 --> 00:00:20,744 He had a niece, aaliyah dana haughton, 6 00:00:20,763 --> 00:00:24,264 And hankerson paired aaliyah with kelly. 7 00:00:24,358 --> 00:00:28,343 Is your estrangement from your sister related to r. Kelly? 8 00:00:28,362 --> 00:00:32,698 Yes. I think my sister knew a lot more than what we thought she knew. 9 00:00:32,849 --> 00:00:36,351 There was some type of rapport my sister had with robert kelly 10 00:00:36,445 --> 00:00:39,930 That began to creep in to our lives. 11 00:00:40,023 --> 00:00:44,376 There are questions that only barry hankerson and diane haughton can answer. 12 00:00:47,106 --> 00:00:50,883 ( theme music playing ) 13 00:01:14,224 --> 00:01:17,150 Taryn finley: Narcissism, delusion, 14 00:01:17,303 --> 00:01:20,304 Menace, manipulation. 15 00:01:20,322 --> 00:01:23,398 - It felt evil. - He didn't do it alone. 16 00:01:23,417 --> 00:01:26,810 There was an enterprise. 17 00:01:26,829 --> 00:01:28,495 They began in '94 with aaliyah. 18 00:01:28,589 --> 00:01:30,480 There are so many people that enabled r. Kelly-- 19 00:01:30,574 --> 00:01:33,317 Bodyguards, entourage, assistants. 20 00:01:33,410 --> 00:01:37,504 - They were sick just like him. - These girls were in danger and nothing was being done. 21 00:01:37,598 --> 00:01:40,081 Everybody had a financial incentive to look the other way. 22 00:01:40,175 --> 00:01:42,917 Woman: He made a lot of money for a lot of people. 23 00:01:43,011 --> 00:01:46,179 The halo effect makes them look at him as more powerful. 24 00:01:46,273 --> 00:01:48,941 He's a predator, and a predator needs to be put down. 25 00:01:49,168 --> 00:01:51,276 I don't think he should be charged alone. 26 00:01:51,428 --> 00:01:53,612 It's not over for anybody. 27 00:01:53,763 --> 00:01:56,949 Everyone in r. Kelly's operation needs to go to jail. 28 00:01:57,176 --> 00:01:58,033 Everyone. 29 00:02:06,443 --> 00:02:10,203 Aaliyah is key to everything. 30 00:02:10,356 --> 00:02:12,689 Jovante cunningham: She's been gone a very long time. 31 00:02:12,708 --> 00:02:14,133 She's no longer here. 32 00:02:20,975 --> 00:02:23,308 Breaking story out of the bahamas tonight. 33 00:02:23,460 --> 00:02:27,037 Authorities have confirmed that r&b singer and actress aaliyah 34 00:02:27,055 --> 00:02:29,815 Is among eight people killed in a plane crash. 35 00:02:34,989 --> 00:02:36,563 Aaliyah was only 22 years old. 36 00:02:36,715 --> 00:02:39,065 Reporter: Aaliyah's family is devastated 37 00:02:39,160 --> 00:02:41,551 At the loss of their loving daughter and sister. 38 00:02:41,645 --> 00:02:44,496 Reporter: Along with two grammy nominations and a platinum album, 39 00:02:44,723 --> 00:02:48,241 The singer had recently launched a film career. 40 00:02:48,394 --> 00:02:50,076 Jovante cunningham: I thought I was gonna go to my grave 41 00:02:50,171 --> 00:02:53,488 With nobody ever knowing what happened to me, 42 00:02:53,582 --> 00:02:54,656 What happened to aaliyah. 43 00:02:54,750 --> 00:02:56,658 She can't speak for herself, 44 00:02:56,752 --> 00:02:58,919 But to be able to be a voice for her 45 00:02:59,071 --> 00:03:03,015 Was one of the most beautiful things. 46 00:03:10,416 --> 00:03:13,174 I think my heart was gonna jump out of my throat 47 00:03:13,194 --> 00:03:15,752 As I was standing outside of the door 48 00:03:15,771 --> 00:03:17,270 To enter the courtroom. 49 00:03:17,364 --> 00:03:18,989 It was very surreal. 50 00:03:20,926 --> 00:03:22,776 Reporter: Today, jurors heard testimony 51 00:03:22,870 --> 00:03:24,945 About kelly's marriage to the late singer aaliyah. 52 00:03:25,039 --> 00:03:27,539 Reporter: R. Kelly was 27, and aaliyah was just 15 years old. 53 00:03:27,691 --> 00:03:29,433 Reporter: Jane doe #1, how she met r. Kelly. 54 00:03:29,451 --> 00:03:31,435 - Kelly and aaliyah... - Jane doe... 55 00:03:31,453 --> 00:03:33,603 Aaliyah's name was said within the first ten minutes 56 00:03:33,697 --> 00:03:35,697 Of the prosecution's opening statements 57 00:03:35,716 --> 00:03:38,199 For the first time in a criminal court 58 00:03:38,293 --> 00:03:41,035 In what is no exaggeration 59 00:03:41,129 --> 00:03:43,964 The biggest scandal in the history of popular music. 60 00:03:44,116 --> 00:03:46,633 Angela yee: The attorney, she said, "this case is about a predator 61 00:03:46,785 --> 00:03:48,802 And a network of people at his disposal 62 00:03:48,896 --> 00:03:51,955 To target, groom, and exploit young girls, boys, and women 63 00:03:52,048 --> 00:03:54,140 For his own sexual gratification." 64 00:03:54,235 --> 00:03:56,568 When you start with aaliyah, you start with a large scheme. 65 00:03:56,720 --> 00:03:59,738 That shows you grooming, that shows you how young, 66 00:03:59,965 --> 00:04:02,466 That shows that nothing has changed, 67 00:04:02,559 --> 00:04:05,485 That lays the framework for the pattern. 68 00:04:05,579 --> 00:04:09,155 We actually learned a lot about aaliyah during this trial, 69 00:04:09,250 --> 00:04:10,732 Which was pretty sad. 70 00:04:10,751 --> 00:04:11,975 She was jane doe #1, and of course, 71 00:04:12,068 --> 00:04:13,977 She's not alive to tell her own story. 72 00:04:13,996 --> 00:04:15,570 Pilar melendez: Obviously, aaliyah is such 73 00:04:15,589 --> 00:04:19,741 A central figure in the history of r. Kelly, 74 00:04:19,835 --> 00:04:21,909 But since she died so young, 75 00:04:22,004 --> 00:04:23,837 A lot of people don't know the details of their relationship 76 00:04:23,931 --> 00:04:25,413 Or what actually happened-- 77 00:04:25,432 --> 00:04:27,991 The actual annulment of their wedding, 78 00:04:28,010 --> 00:04:29,935 How r. Kelly actually raped another girl 79 00:04:30,162 --> 00:04:32,012 Two days after he married aaliyah. 80 00:04:32,164 --> 00:04:33,847 We've never heard of that before. 81 00:04:33,999 --> 00:04:37,667 So it was shocking for people like myself 82 00:04:37,686 --> 00:04:40,003 That grew up aaliyah but didn't know the details, 83 00:04:40,022 --> 00:04:43,264 Or people in the press corps that had been doing music 84 00:04:43,284 --> 00:04:45,525 As their career for 15, 20 years 85 00:04:45,619 --> 00:04:48,620 That had been waiting for this knew more than I did 86 00:04:48,772 --> 00:04:51,606 And still were shocked by the details that were coming out. 87 00:04:51,625 --> 00:04:55,294 Aaliyah's first album is made by r. Kelly, 88 00:04:55,521 --> 00:04:57,187 And it's called "age ain't nothing but a number." 89 00:04:57,205 --> 00:05:00,540 The title song is about a young girl 90 00:05:00,634 --> 00:05:04,970 Who's trying to get an older guy to go all the way with her. 91 00:05:05,197 --> 00:05:08,198 ♪ age ain't nothing but a number ♪ 92 00:05:08,216 --> 00:05:11,718 ♪ throwing down ain't nothing but a thing ♪ 93 00:05:11,812 --> 00:05:12,960 We adultified her. 94 00:05:13,055 --> 00:05:16,056 We did not see her as a victim, 95 00:05:16,150 --> 00:05:20,393 As someone who also needed us to rally around her. 96 00:05:20,487 --> 00:05:23,471 Look at all the opportunities that we as a community, 97 00:05:23,565 --> 00:05:25,824 As a culture, as consumers of music 98 00:05:26,051 --> 00:05:28,643 Had chance after chance after chance to say, 99 00:05:28,737 --> 00:05:30,812 "no, we don't deal with this person." 100 00:05:30,906 --> 00:05:34,333 No, he was able to record music 101 00:05:34,484 --> 00:05:36,651 And perform at the olympics and win awards 102 00:05:36,670 --> 00:05:39,821 And be considered, you know, just an important figure 103 00:05:39,840 --> 00:05:41,989 In his industry for so long. 104 00:05:42,009 --> 00:05:46,920 It is incredibly unfortunate that his traumas 105 00:05:47,072 --> 00:05:48,680 Took him down this road. 106 00:05:48,907 --> 00:05:52,926 It however does not remove the responsibility 107 00:05:53,078 --> 00:05:56,355 Of society to prevent him from traumatizing others. 108 00:06:04,013 --> 00:06:06,423 While r. Kelly sat in a courtroom in brooklyn, 109 00:06:06,441 --> 00:06:08,925 Right across the water in downtown manhattan 110 00:06:08,944 --> 00:06:12,537 Was a gigantic billboard with aaliyah. 111 00:06:12,764 --> 00:06:16,190 A three-story billboard, aaliyah, eyes closed, 112 00:06:16,210 --> 00:06:18,359 In an almost christ-like position. 113 00:06:18,453 --> 00:06:19,936 "aaliyah is coming," 114 00:06:20,029 --> 00:06:21,955 Advertising the return of her music 115 00:06:22,049 --> 00:06:25,275 To streaming services timed to the start of the trial. 116 00:06:25,293 --> 00:06:26,793 That was no coincidence. 117 00:06:26,945 --> 00:06:29,446 The world was really excited last Friday 118 00:06:29,464 --> 00:06:31,372 When they were able to finally get ahold 119 00:06:31,466 --> 00:06:34,300 Of "one in a million" on streaming, 120 00:06:34,453 --> 00:06:36,620 Today being the 20th anniversary 121 00:06:36,713 --> 00:06:38,379 Of the tragic passing of aaliyah. 122 00:06:38,399 --> 00:06:40,732 - Mm-hmm. - Was it targeted to try 123 00:06:40,959 --> 00:06:42,642 To match up with the date as far having it release, 124 00:06:42,794 --> 00:06:44,461 Or it just kinda happened that way? 125 00:06:44,554 --> 00:06:46,405 - It just kinda happened that way. - Okay. 126 00:06:46,556 --> 00:06:48,723 It was distasteful timing. 127 00:06:48,817 --> 00:06:52,560 Why not let her spirit get the vindication that it needs 128 00:06:52,654 --> 00:06:53,486 For what took place? 129 00:06:53,580 --> 00:06:55,580 As far as I'm concerned, 130 00:06:55,807 --> 00:06:58,542 She was used as a means to generate more revenue. 131 00:07:03,832 --> 00:07:06,833 My name is nakia vestal, and I met r. Kelly 132 00:07:06,985 --> 00:07:08,093 In November of '94. 133 00:07:08,320 --> 00:07:09,502 I was 18 years old. 134 00:07:09,655 --> 00:07:12,005 I had just graduated high school. 135 00:07:12,157 --> 00:07:13,414 And he's like, "oh, my god. 136 00:07:13,434 --> 00:07:14,991 You're so pretty. Can you sing?" 137 00:07:15,084 --> 00:07:16,601 And I was like, "no, I can dance." 138 00:07:16,828 --> 00:07:17,994 You know, I just thought it was a joke or whatever. 139 00:07:18,013 --> 00:07:20,330 November 1994, 140 00:07:20,423 --> 00:07:22,999 I became r. Kelly's backup dancer. 141 00:07:23,092 --> 00:07:24,834 I just remember hearing on the radio, 142 00:07:24,928 --> 00:07:26,503 I was in houston driving to work 143 00:07:26,521 --> 00:07:28,855 And barry hankerson, his former manager, 144 00:07:29,007 --> 00:07:31,098 Was saying, "oh, when I found out about 145 00:07:31,118 --> 00:07:32,934 Him messing with my niece aaliyah, 146 00:07:32,953 --> 00:07:34,861 I stopped working with him." 147 00:07:34,955 --> 00:07:37,271 November '94, when I met him, barry was still his manager. 148 00:07:37,365 --> 00:07:40,274 Barry ate breakfast with us. 149 00:07:40,294 --> 00:07:44,037 I remember barry hankerson going on "dr. Oz" 150 00:07:44,131 --> 00:07:46,298 And promoting her music. 151 00:07:46,449 --> 00:07:48,616 What did you do when you learned that r. Kelly 152 00:07:48,635 --> 00:07:50,969 Had illegally married your niece aaliyah? 153 00:07:51,196 --> 00:07:53,788 Went crazy, and I made myself known, obviously, 154 00:07:53,882 --> 00:07:57,124 To robert kelly, and I've never spoken to him again to this day. 155 00:07:57,144 --> 00:08:00,870 So, I met barry hankerson in 1995 in January 156 00:08:00,964 --> 00:08:04,708 When I was 17 years old, after the annulment 157 00:08:04,726 --> 00:08:07,043 Of the marriage between aaliyah and robert. 158 00:08:07,062 --> 00:08:10,046 For him to be sitting there with underage girls 159 00:08:10,065 --> 00:08:12,807 Knowing what he had just done to his niece, 160 00:08:12,826 --> 00:08:14,809 I don't know if I really have a lot 161 00:08:14,903 --> 00:08:16,310 Of respect for this person. 162 00:08:16,404 --> 00:08:18,238 And it just seemed so calculated 163 00:08:18,332 --> 00:08:21,500 That her music is coming out during a trial. 164 00:08:21,727 --> 00:08:24,894 I went to the owner of jive records and said, 165 00:08:24,988 --> 00:08:27,154 "I can't be here anymore. I have to go. 166 00:08:27,249 --> 00:08:28,173 Aaliyah has to go." 167 00:08:28,324 --> 00:08:30,825 Barry's full of ( bleep ). 168 00:08:30,919 --> 00:08:32,585 Barry knew exactly what was going on. 169 00:08:32,679 --> 00:08:35,922 I was for not having any linkage to robert kelly at all. 170 00:08:36,016 --> 00:08:39,000 I remember coming back 171 00:08:39,019 --> 00:08:42,412 Off of tour and robert saying 172 00:08:42,505 --> 00:08:45,431 That he wasn't gonna renew his management contract with barry. 173 00:08:45,526 --> 00:08:47,751 And barry saying, 174 00:08:47,769 --> 00:08:50,103 "if you don't renew my management contract, 175 00:08:50,255 --> 00:08:51,512 I'm gonna pull the plug on you and aaliyah." 176 00:08:51,606 --> 00:08:54,015 And robert didn't. 177 00:08:54,109 --> 00:08:55,850 Or so I thought. 178 00:08:55,944 --> 00:08:58,595 And maybe two, three days later 179 00:08:58,613 --> 00:09:00,855 Is when we found out about the marriage. 180 00:09:00,949 --> 00:09:02,523 I didn't know anything about it either, 181 00:09:02,543 --> 00:09:04,784 But I remember thinking to myself, 182 00:09:04,878 --> 00:09:06,452 "you dirty ( bleep ). 183 00:09:06,547 --> 00:09:08,772 You would do this to your niece? 184 00:09:08,790 --> 00:09:10,364 You're okay with this type of behavior? 185 00:09:10,384 --> 00:09:11,216 Wow." 186 00:09:14,796 --> 00:09:17,280 The charge relating to jane doe #1, 187 00:09:17,373 --> 00:09:19,891 Later to be revealed to be aaliyah, 188 00:09:20,118 --> 00:09:22,302 Demetrius smith had to be offered immunity 189 00:09:22,454 --> 00:09:23,878 Because he did not want to participate, 190 00:09:23,972 --> 00:09:25,622 But obviously they needed him. 191 00:09:25,640 --> 00:09:29,142 These crimes that we heard in the courtroom 192 00:09:29,236 --> 00:09:32,386 Stretch back to about 30 years 193 00:09:32,406 --> 00:09:35,298 Because kelly was surrounded by enablers. 194 00:09:35,391 --> 00:09:41,079 The prosecution said, "aaliyah told kelly she was pregnant at age 15." 195 00:09:41,306 --> 00:09:44,899 Demetrius smith is asked, "well, why else did he want to marry her?" 196 00:09:44,918 --> 00:09:47,735 And demetrius says, "to stay out of jail," 197 00:09:47,754 --> 00:09:50,496 Because it was statutory rape of a minor. 198 00:09:50,591 --> 00:09:53,817 Hip-hop star r. Kelly did indeed marry his protégé, 199 00:09:53,910 --> 00:09:55,668 The 15-year-old singer aaliyah haughton. 200 00:09:55,762 --> 00:09:57,837 Robert was scared. We didn't know how to do it. 201 00:09:57,931 --> 00:09:59,155 We had to figure it out. 202 00:09:59,248 --> 00:10:02,008 And me being the street man, 203 00:10:02,160 --> 00:10:04,510 I had to get her id. 204 00:10:04,663 --> 00:10:07,330 And so I took her to the county building, 205 00:10:07,423 --> 00:10:09,757 And we got a public aid id. 206 00:10:09,776 --> 00:10:11,684 We knew people that were the photographers 207 00:10:11,837 --> 00:10:14,170 That give you ids, and they did it. 208 00:10:14,263 --> 00:10:15,780 Kathryn m. Martin: The other thing 209 00:10:16,007 --> 00:10:17,841 That the jane doe #1 aaliyah charge does 210 00:10:17,859 --> 00:10:21,620 Is brings in a lot of other people in the enterprise. 211 00:10:21,771 --> 00:10:23,938 That's important because that brings in the bribery. 212 00:10:23,957 --> 00:10:26,516 That brings in the marriage license issues. 213 00:10:26,534 --> 00:10:29,352 That brings in the pastor, which all become part 214 00:10:29,445 --> 00:10:31,204 Of the charges to the racketeering. 215 00:10:31,356 --> 00:10:32,797 We learned a lot about the wedding. 216 00:10:32,949 --> 00:10:34,633 It was really sad. 217 00:10:34,860 --> 00:10:36,635 We heard from the pastor who conducted the wedding. 218 00:10:42,717 --> 00:10:45,218 It sounds like it was a really quick thing. It took a couple minutes. 219 00:10:45,370 --> 00:10:48,872 It was in a hotel room. They wore matching track suits. 220 00:10:48,965 --> 00:10:51,799 No one that aaliyah loved was there. 221 00:10:51,818 --> 00:10:55,044 It was her, r. Kelly, the pastor, 222 00:10:55,138 --> 00:10:58,381 A couple of r. Kelly's buddies. She was alone. 223 00:10:58,400 --> 00:11:01,475 Then, you know, they perform this quickie marriage ceremony, 224 00:11:01,495 --> 00:11:03,219 He gets on a flight, and he flies off 225 00:11:03,238 --> 00:11:05,813 To one of his concerts without her, leaves her alone. 226 00:11:05,907 --> 00:11:08,558 I was in the room when they got married. I'm not proud of that. 227 00:11:08,576 --> 00:11:11,911 I had papers forged for them, got the marriage license, 228 00:11:12,005 --> 00:11:14,230 And I think if he'd have just waited to have married aaliyah, 229 00:11:14,249 --> 00:11:15,507 They would've been so beautiful. 230 00:11:17,085 --> 00:11:18,343 They'd probably travel around the world 231 00:11:18,494 --> 00:11:20,011 Just being a silly couple. 232 00:11:20,238 --> 00:11:23,664 'cause robert was her age in mind, okay? 233 00:11:23,684 --> 00:11:26,167 It's not like he was 27 years old, 234 00:11:26,186 --> 00:11:30,914 And she was 16 and, you know-- 235 00:11:31,007 --> 00:11:32,857 She was... 236 00:11:38,198 --> 00:11:41,849 How the hell did 27-year-old r. Kelly 237 00:11:41,868 --> 00:11:44,536 Get away with marrying 15-year-old aaliyah 238 00:11:44,687 --> 00:11:48,039 And it was just merely a salacious piece of gossip? 239 00:11:48,266 --> 00:11:50,767 Nobody did anything. 240 00:11:50,785 --> 00:11:53,694 I can't believe that. 241 00:11:53,788 --> 00:11:56,363 Demetrius smith: You see, I wanted to be loyal to everybody. 242 00:11:56,458 --> 00:11:57,716 And it didn't work out that wy 243 00:11:57,867 --> 00:12:01,444 Because everybody was on their own agenda. 244 00:12:01,463 --> 00:12:03,888 You know, barry had his thoughts. 245 00:12:04,040 --> 00:12:08,451 There are questions that only barry hankerson and diane haughton can answer. 246 00:12:08,544 --> 00:12:10,878 Is your estrangement from your sister 247 00:12:10,972 --> 00:12:13,714 - Related to r. Kelly? - Yes. 248 00:12:13,734 --> 00:12:16,550 I think my sister knew a lot more than what we thought she knew. 249 00:12:16,570 --> 00:12:18,886 There was some type of rapport my sister had 250 00:12:18,905 --> 00:12:23,557 With robert kelly that began to creep into our lives. 251 00:12:23,577 --> 00:12:27,078 Aaliyah's parents were like the cosbys, you know? 252 00:12:27,305 --> 00:12:30,306 Mike and diane were just awesome people. 253 00:12:30,325 --> 00:12:35,420 They trusted me. They trusted us. 254 00:12:35,647 --> 00:12:38,998 Kathryn m. Martin: During the trial, there was specific testimony brought out, 255 00:12:39,092 --> 00:12:41,317 Actually by the defense, which I was surprised about, 256 00:12:41,336 --> 00:12:44,262 Asking questions about aaliyah's mother 257 00:12:44,413 --> 00:12:46,172 And the nature of her involvement. 258 00:12:46,324 --> 00:12:49,325 And I think it's important as we look at barry hankerson 259 00:12:49,418 --> 00:12:51,085 And his communication with dr. Oz 260 00:12:51,179 --> 00:12:53,420 To think of what could have been going on 261 00:12:53,515 --> 00:12:55,498 Having to do with the mother. 262 00:12:55,591 --> 00:12:57,091 It's hard to say. We'll never really know. 263 00:12:57,110 --> 00:13:00,261 But we do know that people that were there 264 00:13:00,280 --> 00:13:03,523 Feel a certain type of way, specifically barry hankerson. 265 00:13:03,617 --> 00:13:06,934 What has your sister done that you oppose, that bothers you? 266 00:13:07,028 --> 00:13:10,346 I really can't get into that, but it's something one day 267 00:13:10,365 --> 00:13:13,349 I hope she comes to grips with. 268 00:13:13,442 --> 00:13:15,460 Jim derogatis: There's more to be said there, 269 00:13:15,687 --> 00:13:19,689 Questions that I think aaliyah deserves to have answered. 270 00:13:19,707 --> 00:13:24,135 Now that she has been exposed in the criminal court, 271 00:13:24,362 --> 00:13:26,638 I think she deserves to finish the story. 272 00:13:42,714 --> 00:13:45,306 Jim derogatis: There are questions that only barry hankerson 273 00:13:45,400 --> 00:13:47,733 And diane haughton can answer. 274 00:13:47,886 --> 00:13:51,312 I refuse to cover up anybody else's stuff ever again in my life. 275 00:13:51,406 --> 00:13:52,831 I don't care who it is. 276 00:13:54,576 --> 00:13:57,060 After the documentary aired, 277 00:13:57,078 --> 00:13:59,153 Diane hurt my feelings really bad 278 00:13:59,247 --> 00:14:01,898 By stating publicly I had never been around her daughter, 279 00:14:01,916 --> 00:14:06,010 Didn't know her, I was a forked-tongue devil. 280 00:14:06,237 --> 00:14:08,513 Diane haughton, you know exactly who I am. 281 00:14:08,664 --> 00:14:10,923 I still got my caller id box at home 282 00:14:11,076 --> 00:14:13,000 With y'all home number on it from back then. 283 00:14:13,019 --> 00:14:14,853 Yeah, I still got it. Still got it. 284 00:14:15,004 --> 00:14:17,597 So for you to say that was disheartening 285 00:14:17,749 --> 00:14:20,692 'cause it's not about you all. It's about what happened to her. 286 00:14:20,843 --> 00:14:23,102 And if you wanted to talk about it, 287 00:14:23,196 --> 00:14:25,846 Why not talk about it from a period of transparency, 288 00:14:25,866 --> 00:14:27,198 Not with a bunch of lies and garbage. 289 00:14:31,204 --> 00:14:34,688 ( distorted voice ) I would hear him degrade their mothers to them, 290 00:14:34,708 --> 00:14:37,542 And he would tell the girls that their mothers wanted him, 291 00:14:37,693 --> 00:14:39,619 That their mothers were jealous of them 292 00:14:39,713 --> 00:14:42,029 Because they were young girls, they were fine girls, 293 00:14:42,123 --> 00:14:44,107 Their mothers were fat. 294 00:14:44,200 --> 00:14:45,699 You know, making them feel like, 295 00:14:45,719 --> 00:14:48,369 "I want you, but your mother wants me." 296 00:14:48,388 --> 00:14:52,390 So if the mom is around, then it's almost like a contest 297 00:14:52,617 --> 00:14:54,133 Between the mother and the daughter. 298 00:14:54,227 --> 00:14:56,135 Azriel, for one, 299 00:14:56,229 --> 00:14:58,379 He told her that her mother was jealous of her, 300 00:14:58,398 --> 00:15:00,640 That he had mother some years back 301 00:15:00,734 --> 00:15:03,401 After one of his shows, and her mother wanted him. 302 00:15:03,628 --> 00:15:05,811 It made me see him in a different light, 303 00:15:05,964 --> 00:15:10,224 And it made me realize that he was a manipulator. 304 00:15:10,243 --> 00:15:12,635 Alanna vagianos: I get really upset when people say, 305 00:15:12,654 --> 00:15:15,154 "where were the parents?" 306 00:15:15,306 --> 00:15:18,324 When you have a multi-million dollar celebrity 307 00:15:18,476 --> 00:15:21,085 Who is at the top of his game and comes to you and says, 308 00:15:21,237 --> 00:15:24,997 "I can give your child every single dream she's ever wanted," 309 00:15:25,091 --> 00:15:29,093 Because most of these girls were aspiring singers, 310 00:15:29,320 --> 00:15:31,487 That's grooming of the parents as well. 311 00:15:31,506 --> 00:15:35,341 It's easier to blame others 312 00:15:35,493 --> 00:15:38,661 Rather than accept that there's an individual 313 00:15:38,680 --> 00:15:43,349 In our society that can be so evil and sick. 314 00:15:43,501 --> 00:15:45,501 And so I think that's kind of the easy go-to, 315 00:15:45,594 --> 00:15:47,170 "let me blame the parents." 316 00:15:47,263 --> 00:15:49,781 Blame the real person. R. Kelly. 317 00:15:49,932 --> 00:15:52,951 Blame the people that surround him that are allowing him 318 00:15:53,178 --> 00:15:55,453 To victimize these girls over and over again. 319 00:15:55,604 --> 00:15:57,246 That's where the blame really lies. 320 00:16:20,054 --> 00:16:23,982 I wasn't a dancer. I was a feature in one of his music videos, 321 00:16:24,209 --> 00:16:28,227 "playas only" with r. Kelly, featuring the game. 322 00:16:28,321 --> 00:16:31,823 Maybe 2000 or so. 323 00:16:31,974 --> 00:16:34,550 Yeah, it was a little bit later on. 324 00:16:34,569 --> 00:16:38,554 I was 16 years old when I met rob in 1993. 325 00:16:38,573 --> 00:16:40,999 My friends and I went to his show 326 00:16:41,150 --> 00:16:43,334 And he was there with other artists, 327 00:16:43,486 --> 00:16:46,579 And I just remember his voice was just amazing. 328 00:16:46,731 --> 00:16:49,490 It was really captivating. 329 00:16:49,584 --> 00:16:52,677 After the show, my girlfriend and I were waiting outside. 330 00:16:52,904 --> 00:16:55,329 We were getting ready to go to our cars, 331 00:16:55,348 --> 00:16:58,182 And a limousine pulls up 332 00:16:58,409 --> 00:17:02,336 And rob lifts his head up, and, you know, 333 00:17:02,430 --> 00:17:04,914 Introduces himself to me. 334 00:17:04,932 --> 00:17:08,918 And he was like, "well, I would really love to get to know you, 335 00:17:08,936 --> 00:17:11,178 So why don't you take my room key? 336 00:17:11,272 --> 00:17:13,756 You can go up there and wait for me. I promise I'll be back." 337 00:17:13,775 --> 00:17:17,035 So his road manager set everything up 338 00:17:17,186 --> 00:17:19,186 For my friends and I to go up to the room. 339 00:17:19,205 --> 00:17:22,114 And rob, he came back. 340 00:17:22,267 --> 00:17:24,208 We stayed in touch. 341 00:17:24,360 --> 00:17:27,045 Every day I spoke to him after that. 342 00:17:27,196 --> 00:17:28,880 Rob used to come up to the school. 343 00:17:29,031 --> 00:17:32,032 He would have the tour bus sitting outside my high school 344 00:17:32,126 --> 00:17:33,534 Waiting for me to get out. 345 00:17:33,553 --> 00:17:37,055 He attended my high school graduation. 346 00:17:37,206 --> 00:17:40,040 I mean, he was very, very involved. 347 00:17:40,060 --> 00:17:43,061 With my mom being against us dating, 348 00:17:43,288 --> 00:17:45,712 When she found out that I was still speaking to him 349 00:17:45,732 --> 00:17:49,883 After she had forbid me to do it, she put me out. 350 00:17:49,903 --> 00:17:52,295 It should've woke me up at that time 351 00:17:52,313 --> 00:17:54,297 Because she's knowing things 352 00:17:54,315 --> 00:17:56,982 That I'm not seeing, being so young. 353 00:17:57,135 --> 00:18:00,136 But when I graduated high school, 354 00:18:00,154 --> 00:18:03,306 I went to go live with him. 355 00:18:03,324 --> 00:18:04,807 He was really controlling. 356 00:18:04,900 --> 00:18:06,567 Certain things he liked sexually, 357 00:18:06,661 --> 00:18:07,919 He liked it his way. 358 00:18:12,575 --> 00:18:15,093 I did not know how to arch my back. 359 00:18:16,912 --> 00:18:18,429 And when I tell you... 360 00:18:20,600 --> 00:18:24,327 ...He literally had me 361 00:18:24,420 --> 00:18:28,013 With a camera prepped up, like, um, 362 00:18:28,166 --> 00:18:33,277 Having me sit in this position to learn how to arch my back. 363 00:18:33,504 --> 00:18:37,573 Literally hours being in this position. 364 00:18:41,195 --> 00:18:43,454 He would even take breaks. 365 00:18:43,606 --> 00:18:46,682 He would come back and check on me 366 00:18:46,701 --> 00:18:48,367 To see if I was still in that same position, 367 00:18:48,519 --> 00:18:50,294 Meanwhile keeping the camera on 368 00:18:50,446 --> 00:18:54,039 To see if I moved when he asked me not to. 369 00:18:54,192 --> 00:18:57,193 He was wanting to groom me to be the person 370 00:18:57,211 --> 00:18:58,803 That he wanted me to be for him. 371 00:19:00,473 --> 00:19:01,597 Just for him. 372 00:19:11,709 --> 00:19:14,819 Oh, gosh. That's a touchy one. 373 00:19:20,718 --> 00:19:24,737 Everyone started talking about rob and aaliyah. 374 00:19:24,889 --> 00:19:27,832 I would always ask him about him and aaliyah, 375 00:19:27,983 --> 00:19:30,334 And he would deny it. 376 00:19:30,486 --> 00:19:33,078 But, you know, being on tour with him, 377 00:19:33,173 --> 00:19:36,340 I noticed a lot of similarities between she and I. 378 00:19:36,567 --> 00:19:41,904 Now looking back, I feel like I was kind of like a body double for her. 379 00:19:41,923 --> 00:19:44,515 I noticed that when people would photograph us 380 00:19:44,667 --> 00:19:47,185 Getting off the bus that we did-- 381 00:19:47,336 --> 00:19:49,094 Aaliyah and I did have similarities. 382 00:19:49,247 --> 00:19:52,023 I met her once in the studio, 383 00:19:52,250 --> 00:19:55,008 But most of the time when aaliyah came around 384 00:19:55,028 --> 00:19:59,363 Rob would have her in a separate room. 385 00:19:59,515 --> 00:20:03,275 I'm thinking to myself, "it's just him working with his artist," you know? 386 00:20:03,428 --> 00:20:06,946 When he and I lived together going into college, 387 00:20:07,098 --> 00:20:11,283 I was left at the house for hours, bored. 388 00:20:11,377 --> 00:20:16,029 So, you know, I see, like, this basket full of tapes, 389 00:20:16,123 --> 00:20:18,941 So I'm like, "well, maybe I'll just grab one of these tapes 390 00:20:19,034 --> 00:20:20,885 And let me go in the other rooms 391 00:20:21,036 --> 00:20:23,112 And see if there's a vhs 392 00:20:23,205 --> 00:20:24,889 So I can watch a movie," you know? 393 00:20:25,040 --> 00:20:28,784 Because I was bored. 394 00:20:28,803 --> 00:20:32,730 That's when I discovered that he had been lying to me about aaliyah. 395 00:20:36,961 --> 00:20:40,796 He records everything, so... 396 00:20:40,815 --> 00:20:43,299 The tape that I put in, uh, 397 00:20:43,392 --> 00:20:45,743 Was, uh, him and aaliyah together. 398 00:20:54,161 --> 00:20:58,147 What I saw on that tape was he and aaliyah being intimate. 399 00:20:58,165 --> 00:21:00,149 They were on the tour bus, 400 00:21:00,167 --> 00:21:01,667 And everything that I had asked him, 401 00:21:01,819 --> 00:21:03,243 It was confirmed on the tape. 402 00:21:03,263 --> 00:21:05,004 In the bedroom in the house that we shared, 403 00:21:05,098 --> 00:21:06,097 It has a sensor. 404 00:21:06,324 --> 00:21:08,266 It lets you know when someone's in there. 405 00:21:08,417 --> 00:21:12,270 I don't know if it sent some bell ringing in his ear, 406 00:21:12,497 --> 00:21:15,439 Like, "she's found something that maybe she shouldn't be watching," 407 00:21:15,666 --> 00:21:19,426 Because he came home, and I heard the car, 408 00:21:19,520 --> 00:21:23,355 You know, coming, pulling up, and him coming inside the house. 409 00:21:23,508 --> 00:21:25,190 I just remember trying to put the tape back 410 00:21:25,285 --> 00:21:28,602 Where I got it from before he saw that I had had it. 411 00:21:28,621 --> 00:21:31,030 So I'm, you know, trying to hurry up, 412 00:21:31,124 --> 00:21:36,443 And as I've put it back and coming up to the door, 413 00:21:36,462 --> 00:21:39,130 He's standing face to face with me like, "what were you doing?" 414 00:21:41,709 --> 00:21:45,636 And I'm, like, froze up because I was still trying to process 415 00:21:45,788 --> 00:21:48,455 What I had just saw on this tape, 416 00:21:48,474 --> 00:21:50,624 But then not show anger to him 417 00:21:50,643 --> 00:21:52,868 Because I didn't wanna trigger him to, 418 00:21:52,887 --> 00:21:54,870 Like, you know, be angry. 419 00:21:54,889 --> 00:21:58,316 I just remember just a hard shake like, 420 00:21:58,467 --> 00:22:00,467 "what were you doing?" like, "what were you--" 421 00:22:00,486 --> 00:22:04,730 He wanted me to tell him exactly what I saw, but I was terrified. 422 00:22:04,882 --> 00:22:08,567 I was like, "this is what everybody is talking about, 423 00:22:08,661 --> 00:22:11,978 And I've asked him, and he's not told me the truth, 424 00:22:11,998 --> 00:22:13,556 So what do I do now?" 425 00:22:13,649 --> 00:22:15,666 Like, I was just-- I was terrified. 426 00:22:15,818 --> 00:22:19,503 But that shake sent me down flights of stairs, 427 00:22:19,655 --> 00:22:24,342 And I just laid there, just froze. 428 00:22:24,569 --> 00:22:27,252 That was the moment that I realized 429 00:22:27,405 --> 00:22:29,180 To pick and choose my battles. 430 00:22:38,432 --> 00:22:41,007 I'm sorry. Can I take a break really quick? 431 00:22:41,027 --> 00:22:43,586 - Man: Yeah. Is everything okay? - I apologize. 432 00:22:43,604 --> 00:22:46,364 Of course. Do you want to take a moment? 433 00:22:46,515 --> 00:22:50,368 - Yeah, I just... - Water? 434 00:22:50,595 --> 00:22:52,119 Uh, a tissue please. 435 00:22:54,189 --> 00:22:57,208 - I'm so sorry. - Totally fine. 436 00:23:00,380 --> 00:23:03,455 Can you ask diondra to come here? 437 00:23:03,549 --> 00:23:05,549 Please? Thank you. 438 00:23:07,720 --> 00:23:11,889 Diondra: Are you okay? Just-- it's about-- 439 00:23:12,040 --> 00:23:14,392 Just tell your story, okay? That's your power. 440 00:23:14,619 --> 00:23:17,520 - Yeah. I know. - And don't second guess it. 441 00:23:20,048 --> 00:23:22,625 Like, I loved him. 442 00:23:22,643 --> 00:23:26,052 I love him. He's still important to me. 443 00:23:26,072 --> 00:23:30,466 - Man: Mm-hmm. Yeah. - And so he's not some horrible man to me. 444 00:23:30,559 --> 00:23:33,911 And I don't want people to think that, like-- 445 00:23:34,138 --> 00:23:38,474 I just with that he would get the help he needs. 446 00:23:38,567 --> 00:23:40,142 Diondra: And that is something that you can-- 447 00:23:40,235 --> 00:23:43,495 And that is something that you can say. 448 00:23:43,648 --> 00:23:47,149 'cause he's not a bad person. Like, he just does bad things. 449 00:23:47,168 --> 00:23:48,909 Does that make... 450 00:23:48,928 --> 00:23:53,264 He groomed you to be conflicted like this. 451 00:23:53,415 --> 00:23:57,226 - I know. - You were impressionable. You were 16 years old. 452 00:23:59,497 --> 00:24:03,165 I just notice certain things that I'm saying out loud... 453 00:24:03,184 --> 00:24:06,001 - Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. - ...Is a trigger for me. 454 00:24:06,094 --> 00:24:08,837 I notice that some of these things 455 00:24:08,856 --> 00:24:12,098 Have affected me in my adult relationships, 456 00:24:12,193 --> 00:24:17,846 The things that maybe I didn't think were so harmful for me, 457 00:24:17,940 --> 00:24:20,624 - But they really were. - Yeah, babe. 458 00:24:20,776 --> 00:24:22,943 But we gonna bounce back from it 459 00:24:22,962 --> 00:24:24,536 And we gonna get better. 460 00:24:24,630 --> 00:24:28,357 Like, when I say he shook me, 461 00:24:28,450 --> 00:24:29,875 He pushed me down the stairs, you know? 462 00:24:30,027 --> 00:24:33,137 But, like... 463 00:24:33,288 --> 00:24:36,198 - He pushed you down the stairs, boo. - I know. 464 00:24:36,291 --> 00:24:39,977 Because he was upset because you found a tape that could put him in jail. 465 00:24:41,797 --> 00:24:43,372 That was illegal, what he was doing. 466 00:24:43,390 --> 00:24:46,892 I know. So bad. 467 00:24:46,986 --> 00:24:51,547 Abuse happens often with elements of shame, degradation. 468 00:24:51,565 --> 00:24:54,883 For many survivors, there's a sense of, 469 00:24:54,902 --> 00:24:56,885 "I don't want that to have just happened to me." 470 00:24:56,979 --> 00:25:01,390 So there's a reflexive minimization that happens 471 00:25:01,408 --> 00:25:03,316 So that it just takes up less space in your life. 472 00:25:03,336 --> 00:25:06,003 And over time it begins to intrude in your experience. 473 00:25:06,230 --> 00:25:09,173 You avoid going to places, talking to people. 474 00:25:09,400 --> 00:25:13,418 I think I've just suppressed these feelings for so long. 475 00:25:13,513 --> 00:25:15,137 No, no, honey. 476 00:25:17,350 --> 00:25:19,074 This is an empowering moment. 477 00:25:19,093 --> 00:25:21,685 You're taking your power back today. 478 00:25:24,081 --> 00:25:25,356 Dr. Jody adewale: When we talk about trauma, 479 00:25:25,583 --> 00:25:28,526 We often don't get into the gritty details 480 00:25:28,677 --> 00:25:31,270 Because sometimes that can re-traumatize the person 481 00:25:31,364 --> 00:25:33,756 And can make the sadness 482 00:25:33,849 --> 00:25:35,774 And the anger and the fear worse. 483 00:25:35,926 --> 00:25:39,762 There's a reason that we filter out some information 484 00:25:39,780 --> 00:25:41,597 Because it's just not good for you. 485 00:25:41,615 --> 00:25:44,858 The trauma fractured your sense of self. 486 00:25:44,877 --> 00:25:46,785 The trauma fractured your sense of safety. 487 00:25:46,879 --> 00:25:48,771 So I encourage survivors 488 00:25:48,789 --> 00:25:50,956 To change the way they look at it as, 489 00:25:51,108 --> 00:25:52,608 "I'm regaining power 490 00:25:52,626 --> 00:25:55,294 And I'm taking back my sense of safety." 491 00:25:55,388 --> 00:25:58,964 Ebonié doyle: After that aaliyah situation, 492 00:25:59,058 --> 00:26:01,725 With him lying to me and not being completely honest, 493 00:26:01,952 --> 00:26:06,955 I wanted to try to have, like, a more normal relationship 494 00:26:06,974 --> 00:26:08,548 With someone who wasn't a superstar, 495 00:26:08,642 --> 00:26:10,642 Who wasn't getting all this attention 496 00:26:10,736 --> 00:26:12,795 From other people and stuff. 497 00:26:12,813 --> 00:26:16,407 So I ended up dating a frat guy. 498 00:26:16,558 --> 00:26:19,301 I did get pregnant, and things didn't work out 499 00:26:19,320 --> 00:26:20,986 With me and my daughter's father. 500 00:26:21,080 --> 00:26:23,472 So I ended up going back to rob. 501 00:26:23,565 --> 00:26:26,491 He was willing to take care of my daughter 502 00:26:26,644 --> 00:26:28,419 Like she was his, you know? 503 00:26:28,646 --> 00:26:31,071 Before I even made the decision to do this, 504 00:26:31,165 --> 00:26:33,148 I had to speak my daughter 505 00:26:33,167 --> 00:26:36,318 Because she was around for a lot of it. 506 00:26:36,411 --> 00:26:39,154 You know, "uncle robert" this and that, 507 00:26:39,173 --> 00:26:41,156 And then all of a sudden he's no longer there. 508 00:26:41,175 --> 00:26:44,768 I didn't want her to be embarrassed of her mom. 509 00:26:44,995 --> 00:26:49,665 I wanted her to kind of know that it's my life 510 00:26:49,683 --> 00:26:52,184 And this is my truth. 511 00:26:52,278 --> 00:26:56,505 I started distancing myself for numerous reasons with rob, 512 00:26:56,523 --> 00:26:59,675 But there was an instance with rob. 513 00:26:59,768 --> 00:27:03,345 You know, um, I went to go visit him. 514 00:27:03,364 --> 00:27:08,867 And I just remember going to his house with my oldest daughter. 515 00:27:09,019 --> 00:27:12,046 She was 12 years old, and... 516 00:27:15,301 --> 00:27:17,283 We got in his car, 517 00:27:17,378 --> 00:27:20,471 And he wanted to take my daughter to get mcdonalds. 518 00:27:20,622 --> 00:27:23,140 So, I just remember I'm sitting in the front seat. 519 00:27:23,367 --> 00:27:25,959 My daughter's sitting in the backseat, 520 00:27:26,053 --> 00:27:29,888 And I'm actually having a conversation with my legs crossed towards him 521 00:27:29,982 --> 00:27:32,483 Because that's what he-- you know, his rules were. 522 00:27:32,710 --> 00:27:36,228 So I'm looking at him having a conversation, 523 00:27:36,322 --> 00:27:38,781 And he's looking at... 524 00:27:42,236 --> 00:27:45,311 He's looking at my daughter in the backseat 525 00:27:45,331 --> 00:27:48,832 In the rearview mirror with the weirdest look on his face. 526 00:27:53,839 --> 00:27:56,415 And it freaked me out. 527 00:27:56,567 --> 00:27:58,842 So I just remember, like... 528 00:28:09,430 --> 00:28:13,173 Um, I just remember 529 00:28:13,192 --> 00:28:15,250 After we got our food, 530 00:28:15,269 --> 00:28:18,011 Um, I just remember leaving. 531 00:28:18,105 --> 00:28:20,180 I never took her back over there. 532 00:28:20,274 --> 00:28:22,032 I never had her around him. 533 00:28:22,184 --> 00:28:25,018 I can't really say it was a look I recognized, 534 00:28:25,037 --> 00:28:26,954 And maybe I'm blocking things out. 535 00:28:28,207 --> 00:28:29,331 Um... 536 00:28:32,953 --> 00:28:36,380 It was uncomfortable, and... 537 00:28:43,371 --> 00:28:45,556 ...And I just-- I didn't like it. 538 00:29:00,130 --> 00:29:01,071 Right. 539 00:29:04,076 --> 00:29:06,744 We've been a part of each other's lives for 21 years. 540 00:29:06,895 --> 00:29:08,078 We've only talked twice. 541 00:29:08,230 --> 00:29:10,806 Very different circumstances today. 542 00:29:10,899 --> 00:29:14,567 First story, December 21, 2000. 543 00:29:14,587 --> 00:29:15,902 Tiffany hawkins: I was the first girl, 544 00:29:15,996 --> 00:29:17,921 And nobody believed me. 545 00:29:18,073 --> 00:29:19,923 Demetrius smith: Tiffany was a singer. 546 00:29:20,150 --> 00:29:22,484 Her relationship with robert was music, 547 00:29:22,503 --> 00:29:24,336 And we introduced her to aaliyah 548 00:29:24,488 --> 00:29:27,839 And she began to sing background on aaliyah's album. 549 00:29:27,992 --> 00:29:31,326 Tiffany hawkins: My sexual relationship with robert 550 00:29:31,419 --> 00:29:35,105 Began several months after meeting him. 551 00:29:35,257 --> 00:29:40,502 My witness list consisted of aaliyah, javante, 552 00:29:40,521 --> 00:29:44,673 And several other women, people in robert's camp. 553 00:29:44,691 --> 00:29:47,859 Definitely enough for me to be taken seriously, 554 00:29:47,953 --> 00:29:49,953 But I wasn't. 555 00:29:50,105 --> 00:29:54,016 After my lawsuit, I never spoke about this 556 00:29:54,034 --> 00:29:57,519 Up until maybe a year and a half ago, 557 00:29:57,538 --> 00:29:59,521 And it was to jim derogatis. 558 00:29:59,540 --> 00:30:02,707 He's one of the few people 559 00:30:02,860 --> 00:30:07,137 That believed from the very beginning robert had a problem, 560 00:30:07,364 --> 00:30:09,973 And that I, along with the other people 561 00:30:10,125 --> 00:30:12,217 That had spoken out at that point, 562 00:30:12,311 --> 00:30:13,644 Were not lying. 563 00:30:13,795 --> 00:30:15,554 I gotta apologize. 564 00:30:15,648 --> 00:30:17,556 It had to be one of the ( bleep ) days of your life 565 00:30:17,650 --> 00:30:20,633 When I splashed you on the front page of "sun times." 566 00:30:20,653 --> 00:30:22,711 And they're all saying "accusations." 567 00:30:22,729 --> 00:30:24,729 - Yeah. - They're not saying "whistleblower." 568 00:30:24,824 --> 00:30:30,052 - Right. - In new york, the story the prosecution told 569 00:30:30,145 --> 00:30:34,814 Over six weeks with 45 witnesses 570 00:30:34,834 --> 00:30:36,058 And hundreds of pieces of evidence, 571 00:30:36,151 --> 00:30:39,336 It starts in '91, and that's you. 572 00:30:39,487 --> 00:30:41,672 How did it feel to have somebody telling the story 573 00:30:41,823 --> 00:30:43,674 Of those earliest years finally in a court of law? 574 00:30:43,901 --> 00:30:48,512 I was happy that women were being heard. 575 00:30:48,663 --> 00:30:51,849 For all the years I was the girl that lied on r. Kelly, 576 00:30:52,076 --> 00:30:55,185 Finally people are believing that this happened. 577 00:30:55,337 --> 00:30:58,171 He really is that monster. That really is him. 578 00:30:58,190 --> 00:31:01,674 Had aaliyah come forward and said, 579 00:31:01,694 --> 00:31:05,028 - "hey, this happened to me." - yeah. 580 00:31:05,180 --> 00:31:09,608 It would've some validity to all of our stories, you know? 581 00:31:09,760 --> 00:31:11,443 Tiffany hawkins: This is barry hankerson's niece, 582 00:31:11,537 --> 00:31:14,930 Gladys knight's niece. Her family, they have money. 583 00:31:14,948 --> 00:31:17,857 They live in a nice, affluent neighborhood, you know what I mean? 584 00:31:17,951 --> 00:31:19,935 And we are the hood girls. 585 00:31:20,028 --> 00:31:22,454 But we also heard in federal court, 586 00:31:22,548 --> 00:31:25,107 "why did they get married?" he wanted to avoid jail. 587 00:31:25,125 --> 00:31:26,458 That was testimony in brooklyn. 588 00:31:26,610 --> 00:31:31,129 - Yep. - No, I was not familiar 589 00:31:31,281 --> 00:31:33,465 With how the annulment happened with aaliyah. 590 00:31:33,559 --> 00:31:36,727 When we went back on the road, it was holiday time. 591 00:31:36,878 --> 00:31:40,546 I bought sweaters and gifts for aaliyah for christmas, 592 00:31:40,566 --> 00:31:43,308 Delivered the stuff, and they didn't want it. 593 00:31:43,460 --> 00:31:46,128 They sent it all back. Robert hurt them, man. 594 00:31:46,221 --> 00:31:50,315 Robert hurt them. Robert hurt them. 595 00:31:50,467 --> 00:31:53,151 Gem pratts: What I heard happened to cause the annulment 596 00:31:53,245 --> 00:31:56,154 Was her father said this is not gonna fly. 597 00:31:56,248 --> 00:32:00,417 I've heard that they made a contractual arrangement. 598 00:32:00,644 --> 00:32:02,978 He wasn't gonna press charges against robert 599 00:32:02,996 --> 00:32:05,330 And robert had to sell the rights 600 00:32:05,424 --> 00:32:09,426 To his first three albums to the haughton family. 601 00:32:09,577 --> 00:32:12,003 It caused a, uh, what I remember is strain 602 00:32:12,097 --> 00:32:15,006 With barry hankerson being aaliyah's uncle. 603 00:32:15,159 --> 00:32:17,008 I remember aaliyah's father was furious, 604 00:32:17,102 --> 00:32:20,829 And that was part of the annulment pretty immediately 605 00:32:20,847 --> 00:32:22,013 When he found out about it. 606 00:32:22,166 --> 00:32:25,500 And rob, he seemed heartbroken. 607 00:32:25,519 --> 00:32:28,019 Her dad didn't want her anywhere near him, 608 00:32:28,172 --> 00:32:31,764 So subsequently she moves to the east coast, 609 00:32:31,784 --> 00:32:33,266 And kind of hooks up with timbaland 610 00:32:33,285 --> 00:32:35,177 And starts her second album. 611 00:32:35,195 --> 00:32:38,455 The homeland security agent who took the stand 612 00:32:38,606 --> 00:32:40,940 Brought in and they admitted into evidence 613 00:32:41,034 --> 00:32:42,292 An annulment document. 614 00:32:42,444 --> 00:32:43,852 Within the annulment 615 00:32:43,870 --> 00:32:46,371 There was additionally a document 616 00:32:46,465 --> 00:32:49,800 That was basically what reads as one of the first ndas 617 00:32:49,951 --> 00:32:53,470 That was probably created to hide and keep forever buried 618 00:32:53,697 --> 00:32:55,547 What happened specifically between them, 619 00:32:55,699 --> 00:32:58,124 Whether it was physical abuse, sexual abuse, 620 00:32:58,218 --> 00:33:00,811 Mental abuse against a minor. 621 00:33:00,962 --> 00:33:02,628 What I read that, I was horrified. 622 00:33:02,648 --> 00:33:04,556 We're talking about a child. 623 00:33:04,708 --> 00:33:08,986 If r. Kelly did not sexually or physically abuse aaliyah, 624 00:33:09,137 --> 00:33:10,470 Why did he have to put it in writing? 625 00:33:10,489 --> 00:33:12,731 This legal document 626 00:33:12,883 --> 00:33:16,493 Was kind of a light bulb that went off for kelly. 627 00:33:16,644 --> 00:33:20,722 He realized he could use ndas to further control his victims in the future. 628 00:33:20,815 --> 00:33:22,574 As part of the annulment agreement, 629 00:33:22,668 --> 00:33:25,577 Aaliyah and r. Kelly agreed to sever all ties, 630 00:33:25,729 --> 00:33:29,006 And her family promised not to hold kelly liable 631 00:33:29,157 --> 00:33:33,010 For further physical or emotional trauma from the relationship 632 00:33:33,161 --> 00:33:37,589 All in exchange for a payment of $100 by kelly. 633 00:33:37,683 --> 00:33:42,668 Other sources say the figure was actually $3 million. 634 00:33:42,688 --> 00:33:45,580 I'm probably two to three years older than aaliyah is, 635 00:33:45,599 --> 00:33:47,432 Or would've been at this point. 636 00:33:47,584 --> 00:33:51,177 So if she had gotten married at approximately 15, 637 00:33:51,196 --> 00:33:53,755 I was approximately 17 or 18. 638 00:33:53,774 --> 00:33:57,776 And so I remember thinking that's quite young 639 00:33:57,928 --> 00:34:00,612 To get committed to someone else, 640 00:34:00,764 --> 00:34:02,614 Particular someone who's so senior to you. 641 00:34:02,708 --> 00:34:05,709 I think as a young girl we have crushes on people, 642 00:34:05,936 --> 00:34:08,103 And we have crushes on our teachers 643 00:34:08,121 --> 00:34:09,880 And, you know, older people. 644 00:34:10,031 --> 00:34:11,864 We might have had their poster hanging up in the room. 645 00:34:11,884 --> 00:34:13,291 You might have them as a screensaver. 646 00:34:13,443 --> 00:34:15,368 But if that person meets you, 647 00:34:15,387 --> 00:34:17,796 They should never want to even look at you 648 00:34:17,948 --> 00:34:19,281 In that manner, you know? 649 00:34:19,299 --> 00:34:21,207 I just think that's a sickness. 650 00:34:21,226 --> 00:34:24,210 This trial, this is all performative. 651 00:34:24,229 --> 00:34:25,804 This is all protocol. 652 00:34:25,956 --> 00:34:27,713 It's someone getting due process. 653 00:34:27,733 --> 00:34:30,625 But at the end of the day, we already know 654 00:34:30,644 --> 00:34:32,385 What has been going on here. 655 00:34:32,404 --> 00:34:34,571 You know, this goes back to aaliyah. 656 00:34:34,722 --> 00:34:38,891 And when you see the people who were there 657 00:34:38,911 --> 00:34:41,411 Speak about having witnessed that... 658 00:34:43,490 --> 00:34:44,564 Hmm. 659 00:34:44,658 --> 00:34:46,474 This is not a witch hunt. 660 00:34:46,493 --> 00:34:51,922 This is the silencing of a monster. 661 00:34:52,073 --> 00:34:54,833 It was really sad learning as much as we did about aaliyah. 662 00:34:54,985 --> 00:34:59,262 I think two or three days after marrying her, 663 00:34:59,414 --> 00:35:01,414 R. Kelly was back at his own concert 664 00:35:01,508 --> 00:35:03,675 And raped another girl. 665 00:35:03,769 --> 00:35:07,495 For anybody who still wants to continue with the myth 666 00:35:07,514 --> 00:35:09,773 That he and aaliyah were true love, 667 00:35:09,924 --> 00:35:12,925 You know, the heartbroken guy who thought he had true love 668 00:35:12,945 --> 00:35:14,594 And just married the love of his life, 669 00:35:14,688 --> 00:35:16,113 And in less than a week, 670 00:35:16,264 --> 00:35:17,948 Another sexual assault allegation. 671 00:35:22,121 --> 00:35:24,512 The fact that one of the victims who testified is addie, 672 00:35:24,531 --> 00:35:27,773 Claimed to have been raped by kelly 673 00:35:27,793 --> 00:35:31,294 Just within days of the aaliyah marriage was mind-blowing. 674 00:35:44,643 --> 00:35:46,977 Addie was jane doe #8. 675 00:35:47,128 --> 00:35:50,647 Addie's allegations were not part of any of the charges 676 00:35:50,798 --> 00:35:52,707 That jurors had to deliberate on. 677 00:35:52,800 --> 00:35:54,726 She was just there to prove 678 00:35:54,878 --> 00:35:58,563 That r. Kelly had predatory pattern of behavior. 679 00:35:58,715 --> 00:36:03,476 I know addie from 2019 when she contacted me 680 00:36:03,495 --> 00:36:07,222 And said that she wanted to talk to me about r. Kelly. 681 00:36:07,240 --> 00:36:09,315 She's from miami. She's puerto rican. 682 00:36:09,334 --> 00:36:11,893 We were, like, the same. 683 00:36:11,912 --> 00:36:14,245 I didn't know she was gonna testify. 684 00:36:14,398 --> 00:36:16,231 She never told me. 685 00:36:16,249 --> 00:36:19,417 It happened to her in 1994. 686 00:36:19,569 --> 00:36:21,586 She met him at a concert. 687 00:36:21,738 --> 00:36:23,829 And I met him in 1995. 688 00:36:23,924 --> 00:36:27,142 She went to the one where aaliyah was supposed to be there. 689 00:36:31,839 --> 00:36:35,025 One of the most interesting things about addie's testimony 690 00:36:35,176 --> 00:36:37,085 Was seeing how it fit on the timeline 691 00:36:37,103 --> 00:36:39,103 Of r. Kelly's pattern of abuse. 692 00:36:39,198 --> 00:36:43,591 Aaliyah and r. Kelly got married on August 31st, 1994. 693 00:36:43,610 --> 00:36:46,594 Aaliyah and r. Kelly were supposed to perform together 694 00:36:46,688 --> 00:36:49,597 At the superfest concert in miami. 695 00:36:49,616 --> 00:36:53,543 But aaliyah didn't go, to the shock of many fans that were there, 696 00:36:53,695 --> 00:36:55,378 Because she had gotten married, 697 00:36:55,530 --> 00:36:57,380 And from the standpoint of r. Kelly, 698 00:36:57,532 --> 00:37:00,383 Was expecting a baby at 15 years old. 699 00:37:00,535 --> 00:37:03,795 All of us journalists that were listening to her, we were all just in shock 700 00:37:03,947 --> 00:37:07,966 That r. Kelly, two days after forging documents 701 00:37:08,118 --> 00:37:09,875 To marry 15-year-old aaliyah, 702 00:37:09,970 --> 00:37:12,804 He didn't even blink an eyelash when it came to addie. 703 00:37:12,898 --> 00:37:15,232 He was just like, "oh, I solved my aaliyah problem, 704 00:37:15,383 --> 00:37:18,235 And now I can continue to do everything that I like to do." 705 00:37:18,462 --> 00:37:20,128 There were other people in the room. 706 00:37:20,146 --> 00:37:21,980 The grown adults walked out the room 707 00:37:22,132 --> 00:37:24,390 And left her in there alone. 708 00:37:24,409 --> 00:37:27,318 Nobody stood up for her. Nobody said this was wrong. 709 00:37:27,471 --> 00:37:32,249 I was in shock. The things that she detailed, I mean, he raped her. 710 00:37:32,476 --> 00:37:36,586 It shows that r. Kelly didn't think he was really doing anything wrong at all, 711 00:37:36,813 --> 00:37:40,090 That he thought he was above any sort of wrongdoing that could be placed on him. 712 00:37:42,744 --> 00:37:44,261 I called her right away, 713 00:37:44,412 --> 00:37:46,488 And I said, "oh, my god. How do you feel?" 714 00:37:46,506 --> 00:37:49,099 And she said, "I feel so much better." 715 00:37:49,250 --> 00:37:53,344 And I was like, "really? You weren't nervous or anything on the stand?" 716 00:37:53,438 --> 00:37:57,607 And she was like, "no. I'm not afraid to speak out. 717 00:37:57,759 --> 00:38:00,944 I was back then, but I feel so much better 718 00:38:01,095 --> 00:38:04,764 That I was able to get on the stand and see him and speak my truth." 719 00:38:04,783 --> 00:38:06,841 I'm very proud of her. 720 00:38:06,934 --> 00:38:09,101 We're talking about a post #metoo era. 721 00:38:09,121 --> 00:38:12,789 We're talking about a time where women are more willing 722 00:38:13,016 --> 00:38:15,107 To speak up and speak their truths. 723 00:38:15,201 --> 00:38:18,461 So this incredible icon, 724 00:38:18,613 --> 00:38:20,705 Even though she was no longer on this planet, 725 00:38:20,857 --> 00:38:23,691 He was getting what he deserved. 726 00:38:23,785 --> 00:38:26,636 If that isn't the greatest redemption, then I don't know what is. 727 00:38:34,538 --> 00:38:38,648 I know you guys are used to hearing me talk about other people's experiences, 728 00:38:38,800 --> 00:38:40,817 And people inbox me all the time, 729 00:38:40,968 --> 00:38:43,969 "hey, did anything ever happen to you? 730 00:38:43,989 --> 00:38:47,065 Why didn't you talk about yourself? Are you ashamed?" 731 00:38:47,159 --> 00:38:50,827 And the answer is yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes. 732 00:38:51,054 --> 00:38:52,887 Who wants to be associated with this? 733 00:38:52,980 --> 00:38:54,722 This is not a badge of honor. 734 00:38:54,741 --> 00:38:56,891 It's not something that you gloat in. 735 00:38:56,984 --> 00:38:58,576 It's not something that you delight in. 736 00:38:58,670 --> 00:39:02,505 Who wants to be a part of a human trafficking ring 737 00:39:02,657 --> 00:39:05,157 Or even admit that that even happened to them? 738 00:39:05,177 --> 00:39:07,752 People ostracize you, you're set aside. 739 00:39:07,846 --> 00:39:12,015 The people that you expect to support you the most 740 00:39:12,166 --> 00:39:14,684 Treat you the worst. 741 00:39:14,836 --> 00:39:17,854 So I wasn't ready to deal with that. 742 00:39:18,081 --> 00:39:20,506 It wasn't something that I ever thought 743 00:39:20,525 --> 00:39:22,359 Would ever come to forefront. 744 00:39:22,510 --> 00:39:25,269 Never thought anybody would ever know 745 00:39:25,422 --> 00:39:26,529 What happened to me. 746 00:39:34,114 --> 00:39:36,188 My information, where I was working, 747 00:39:36,208 --> 00:39:38,449 Had been placed out for public view 748 00:39:38,602 --> 00:39:40,359 And I was being harassed. 749 00:39:40,379 --> 00:39:42,712 And at that moment, in that hour, 750 00:39:42,939 --> 00:39:45,623 Because I had been so quiet for so long, 751 00:39:45,775 --> 00:39:47,775 I was like, "why are you picking on me? 752 00:39:47,794 --> 00:39:50,202 I'm the least vocal out of everyone." 753 00:39:50,222 --> 00:39:52,280 And then I got angry. 754 00:39:52,298 --> 00:39:53,706 If you're sending these people, 755 00:39:53,800 --> 00:39:55,374 If you know these people. 756 00:39:55,468 --> 00:39:57,785 You don't get to do this. 757 00:39:57,879 --> 00:40:01,046 And so I thought about my daughter 758 00:40:01,141 --> 00:40:04,401 And what I would want her to do and how I would support her, 759 00:40:04,552 --> 00:40:06,236 And I was like, "no." 760 00:40:06,387 --> 00:40:08,813 The only way that any of this will stop 761 00:40:08,907 --> 00:40:10,389 Is if you're exposed. 762 00:40:10,409 --> 00:40:12,909 And not speaking out all this time 763 00:40:13,060 --> 00:40:15,637 Only afforded him the ability to continue to do it 764 00:40:15,730 --> 00:40:19,991 Over and over and over again. 765 00:40:20,143 --> 00:40:23,311 It wasn't about me, tiffany, aaliyah. 766 00:40:23,329 --> 00:40:26,589 It was about anyone's daughter, anyone's son. 767 00:40:26,816 --> 00:40:30,593 This has to stop, and it has to stop now. 768 00:40:30,820 --> 00:40:33,430 I'm not keeping your garbage. I'm telling. 769 00:40:40,664 --> 00:40:45,591 One of my regrets as a reporter is that I did not realize 770 00:40:45,685 --> 00:40:47,927 That kelly had methodically 771 00:40:48,021 --> 00:40:50,930 Made his way through second chapter. 772 00:40:51,024 --> 00:40:55,267 Three high school girls from the south side of chicago 773 00:40:55,361 --> 00:40:57,845 Who get to travel to paris, amsterdam, 774 00:40:57,939 --> 00:41:02,292 Rome, london, singing behind their best friend, 775 00:41:02,519 --> 00:41:05,110 A couple years younger than they are-- aaliyah. 776 00:41:05,130 --> 00:41:10,783 And kelly simultaneously is sexually abusing 777 00:41:10,802 --> 00:41:14,095 Each of those young women and their friends. 778 00:41:20,704 --> 00:41:23,646 We went through a lot. We experienced a lot. 779 00:41:23,873 --> 00:41:25,648 We saw a lot. Um... 780 00:41:28,378 --> 00:41:30,545 It was a period of time 781 00:41:30,638 --> 00:41:32,822 When we were just trying to make it. 782 00:41:32,974 --> 00:41:36,993 We had big dreams, and we thought we were gonna be somebody. 783 00:41:40,573 --> 00:41:42,907 A lot of people who loved and adored him. 784 00:41:43,059 --> 00:41:47,729 And I can't stress to you enough how people are still suffering 785 00:41:47,747 --> 00:41:51,674 Behind things that went on 20 years ago. 786 00:42:01,578 --> 00:42:03,686 I didn't know I was going to be a part of the investigation. 787 00:42:03,838 --> 00:42:05,263 I had no idea. 788 00:42:05,415 --> 00:42:09,767 Finding out that I was one of the jane does 789 00:42:09,919 --> 00:42:11,861 Was a bittersweet moment. 790 00:42:12,013 --> 00:42:15,365 I was willing to be forthcoming where I had not. 791 00:42:19,687 --> 00:42:21,955 I called my dad. 792 00:42:25,435 --> 00:42:28,027 And I said, "they got him." 793 00:42:28,046 --> 00:42:30,029 He said, "jo, what you mean?" 794 00:42:30,123 --> 00:42:32,774 And he really didn't understand 795 00:42:32,792 --> 00:42:35,200 Because I never really told him 796 00:42:35,220 --> 00:42:39,538 Because he was always so proud of the fact 797 00:42:39,558 --> 00:42:43,451 That he thought that I got away. 798 00:42:43,544 --> 00:42:48,189 And I said, "dad, what's done in the dark always comes to light." 799 00:42:54,480 --> 00:42:58,074 I lost my dad. The funeral was the first day of the trial. 800 00:42:58,301 --> 00:43:03,304 The idea of having to take that on by myself, 801 00:43:03,323 --> 00:43:04,581 I was scared out my mind. 802 00:43:08,420 --> 00:43:09,502 But... 803 00:43:11,664 --> 00:43:15,574 I understood if I didn't, it was gonna all fall apart. 804 00:43:15,668 --> 00:43:17,168 There wasn't any way around it. 805 00:43:17,320 --> 00:43:19,003 The day that I had to take the stand 806 00:43:19,155 --> 00:43:20,579 Was very surreal. 807 00:43:20,599 --> 00:43:23,674 The authorities do not prep you for trial. 808 00:43:23,827 --> 00:43:26,010 They tell you to tell the truth. That's it. 809 00:43:26,162 --> 00:43:29,163 I had my stare face on. I would look that way 810 00:43:29,182 --> 00:43:31,182 When I finally got into a seat where I could see him, 811 00:43:31,276 --> 00:43:33,684 But his head was down. 812 00:43:33,837 --> 00:43:34,927 Now here's the thing. 813 00:43:35,021 --> 00:43:36,929 I met him at 14.75, 814 00:43:36,948 --> 00:43:39,264 So that means right before my 15th birthday. 815 00:43:39,359 --> 00:43:42,176 Unfortunately, my very first experience 816 00:43:42,269 --> 00:43:44,287 Was my very first time meeting him. 817 00:43:47,274 --> 00:43:51,110 Without going into details, let's just say 818 00:43:51,204 --> 00:43:53,963 Sexual misconduct with minors, period. 819 00:43:56,025 --> 00:43:58,042 People have asked me, and I would always say, 820 00:43:58,136 --> 00:43:59,861 "oh, not me. Not me." 821 00:43:59,954 --> 00:44:01,212 Because there was a level of shame 822 00:44:01,306 --> 00:44:02,380 That comes with that. 823 00:44:02,474 --> 00:44:03,789 I was in situation where 824 00:44:03,883 --> 00:44:05,199 I was pressured to do things 825 00:44:05,218 --> 00:44:07,060 That I just didn't really wanna do. 826 00:44:15,561 --> 00:44:18,880 Larry hood got right up there and validated everything 827 00:44:18,973 --> 00:44:20,156 That had came out of my mouth on accident. 828 00:44:20,383 --> 00:44:21,491 He didn't even mean to do that. 829 00:44:28,500 --> 00:44:30,408 Aaliyah's not from chicago. 830 00:44:30,502 --> 00:44:33,336 For you to say, "oh, those were here little friends," 831 00:44:33,487 --> 00:44:35,838 Well, let's just say this. 832 00:44:36,065 --> 00:44:37,840 How the hell would she get some friends here? 833 00:44:37,992 --> 00:44:41,419 How would she have known us? Explain that part. 834 00:44:41,513 --> 00:44:43,012 You can't. 835 00:44:49,762 --> 00:44:52,596 The very first night that I met robert, he was at robert's home. 836 00:44:52,691 --> 00:44:56,109 Him and demetrius smith and-=- 837 00:44:57,845 --> 00:45:01,197 Yes. Yes, bruce was there as well. 838 00:45:01,424 --> 00:45:03,758 Bruce and carey were around all the time. 839 00:45:03,851 --> 00:45:07,929 Bruce was always out on the road with us and around the studio. 840 00:45:07,947 --> 00:45:10,281 The boys knew. What I mean by the boys, I mean the brothers. 841 00:45:10,375 --> 00:45:11,332 They knew. They knew. 842 00:45:16,940 --> 00:45:20,550 I went to europe in 1995, and that was, like-- 843 00:45:20,701 --> 00:45:23,720 I think that was the second part of his european "12 play" tour. 844 00:45:23,947 --> 00:45:26,538 So he had killer and bruce around him, 845 00:45:26,558 --> 00:45:30,042 And then demetrius, barry hankerson, 846 00:45:30,136 --> 00:45:34,138 And I just remember there was always young girls around backstage. 847 00:45:34,290 --> 00:45:35,973 Like, they were young. 848 00:45:36,125 --> 00:45:37,975 They looked like they were 13, 14 years old. 849 00:45:38,127 --> 00:45:41,629 You could tell by their skin they're not fully developed. 850 00:45:41,647 --> 00:45:44,131 I'm just looking like, "something don't seem right." 851 00:45:44,150 --> 00:45:45,983 And I guess they all knew. Nobody cared. 852 00:45:46,077 --> 00:45:47,577 Everybody was just happy to get a check and be on the road 853 00:45:47,804 --> 00:45:50,229 And to live that hollywood celebrity life. 854 00:45:50,248 --> 00:45:52,248 Nobody would say, "oh, they're young." 855 00:45:52,399 --> 00:45:55,476 Nobody cared. 856 00:45:55,495 --> 00:45:58,254 I was not in a relationship with him. I wasn't a girlfriend. 857 00:45:58,481 --> 00:46:00,331 I wasn't somebody who was trying to date him. 858 00:46:00,483 --> 00:46:03,818 We were told that it was paying our dues, 859 00:46:03,911 --> 00:46:04,910 And that either we were gonna sing 860 00:46:04,929 --> 00:46:06,487 Or we were gonna go to school, 861 00:46:06,506 --> 00:46:07,989 And to make a decision. 862 00:46:08,082 --> 00:46:10,249 And if we were gonna sing, 863 00:46:10,343 --> 00:46:12,827 "take your shirt off. Dance for me." 864 00:46:12,920 --> 00:46:15,021 I never thought anybody would ever know. 865 00:46:18,777 --> 00:46:22,445 So many times people said I wasn't where I was, 866 00:46:22,596 --> 00:46:25,615 That I wasn't doing what I said I was doing. 867 00:46:27,527 --> 00:46:31,120 And in that hour, god reminded me 868 00:46:31,347 --> 00:46:34,457 That what happened to me was not insignificant. 869 00:46:34,684 --> 00:46:39,962 I was not just some stupid little girl, 870 00:46:40,189 --> 00:46:44,191 That I was a child, and that what happened to me 871 00:46:44,285 --> 00:46:47,970 Not only would it be brought to public light, 872 00:46:48,197 --> 00:46:51,432 But that he would be penalized and punished finally. 873 00:46:58,650 --> 00:47:01,058 Speaking out gave me my power back. 874 00:47:01,210 --> 00:47:02,710 It gave me my voice back. 875 00:47:02,803 --> 00:47:06,564 I can't heal if I'm hiding. 876 00:47:06,716 --> 00:47:09,141 I lost a lot of things this year, 877 00:47:09,160 --> 00:47:11,052 A lot of people, 878 00:47:11,070 --> 00:47:12,453 But I found me. 879 00:47:13,739 --> 00:47:17,725 I was so proud of myself. 880 00:47:17,743 --> 00:47:20,061 I no longer had anything 881 00:47:20,154 --> 00:47:21,671 That somebody could hold over my head 882 00:47:21,822 --> 00:47:25,657 Because I had spoke for myself, and that brought me joy. 883 00:47:25,677 --> 00:47:28,994 I had to be confident within myself and believe in me 884 00:47:29,088 --> 00:47:32,014 And know that not only did I survive, 885 00:47:32,241 --> 00:47:33,516 I survived r. Kelly. 886 00:47:48,091 --> 00:47:52,184 Sonia was a radio intern and thought she was gonna come for an interview. 887 00:47:52,203 --> 00:47:56,263 Sonia: I ended up waking up on the couch 888 00:47:56,357 --> 00:48:00,601 Feeling extremely tired, so confused. 889 00:48:00,620 --> 00:48:04,029 And then r. Kelly was doing up his pants. 890 00:48:04,123 --> 00:48:07,291 She was locked in a room, not really given much to eat or drink. 891 00:48:07,385 --> 00:48:10,961 Sonia: So I didn't understand, like, really what was happening. 892 00:48:11,055 --> 00:48:13,948 A jury began deliberations today 893 00:48:13,966 --> 00:48:16,283 In the federal trial of singer r. Kelly. 894 00:48:16,302 --> 00:48:19,286 - How's your client feeling? - Stressed. 895 00:48:19,380 --> 00:48:21,789 I would imagine r. Kelly was nervous. 896 00:48:21,882 --> 00:48:24,716 Jury! R. Kelly is an innocent man! 897 00:48:24,810 --> 00:48:26,293 If it comes back not guilty, 898 00:48:26,312 --> 00:48:28,312 People are gonna really give it to us then, 899 00:48:28,406 --> 00:48:31,890 Make us out to be liars. 900 00:48:31,910 --> 00:48:34,059 People that have money that are guilty, they walk. 901 00:48:34,153 --> 00:48:37,154 The first trial, they had videos, 902 00:48:37,306 --> 00:48:38,806 And he was still acquitted. 903 00:48:38,899 --> 00:48:43,235 After this incredible push led by black women, 904 00:48:43,329 --> 00:48:44,670 Is this really going to happen?