R. Kelly’s ex-wife Andrea “Drea” Kelly is telling her story about her experience in the entertainment industry.
In a social media post, the 50-year-old dancer made a video announcement of her book, Under The Red Carpet, featuring several images of Diddy and her ex-husband R.Kelly. A voiceover of Drea can be heard stating,”fame costs and right here is where you start paying for it in blood, sweat and tears…I did.”
In the caption of the video, she stated that she is ready to “disrupt the deception” that has occurred over the years. “I am a BEAST and a BUTTERFLY. God said it is so. The time has come to disrupt the deception. For years people have spoken on my life without knowing ANYTHING about me.”
She continued, “How crazy is it to speak on someone you NEVER MET or had a conversation with as FACT. Well, the time has come to speak without fear! No more forcing a smile to get thru the pain of being me. No more “be nice” to please an unpleasant world. My book is going to set so many free and if you have a problem….it’s not with me! Take it up with GOD. This is his will and it is so”
Fans of Drea dropped in the comment to support her decision, One user wrote, “Wow sounds like a horror film. The dark shadows of the entertainment industry and the cost of fame. Speak on it!”
Another added, “Soo many women are finally healing! I’m here for it!”
The tell-all book announcement arrives a few days after Drea and R.Kelly’s daughter, Joanne Kelly, revealed that a forthcoming documentary R Kelly’s Karma: A Daughter’s Journey is set to release.
From Tvei Network, the documentary features “raw and emotional” interviews with Joanne, as well as her siblings Jaah Kelly and Robert Kelly Jr, plus their mother Drea Kelly, as they share the “dark reality of living in the shadow of one of the most notorious figures in music.” Drea was married to the R&B artist from 1996 to 2009.
Aside from her “ex-wife” title, Drea is a professional dancer, choreographer and actress who went viral after performing a sensual dance on social media. Kelly currently teaches dance fitness and burlesque classes in Atlanta.
Over the years, Drea has used her platform to shed light on domestic violence. Some of her efforts include, speaking to women on college campuses and military bases. Her message: If she can turn her pain into purpose, you can, too.
In a 2022 interview with WAAY 31’s Nakell Williams, Drea shared:
“Sometimes, women think, ‘I’m going to leave when I have enough money. I’m going to leave when I get that job. I’m going to leave when I can stand on my own two feet.’ Know when you hear that small voice telling you it’s time to go, it’s time to go have a plan,” Drea said. “Definitely have a plan. But don’t wait until you have enough courage. Walk out that door with fear, because fear is going to be your fuel to drive you to say, ‘You know what? I never want to go back to that situation. I never want to find myself in that ever again.’”