Jaya Kelly is a 23-year-old American singer who gained popularity for being the daughter of R.Kelly, a famous American R&B singer. In 2014, Jaya publicly announced that she is a transgender male. In this article, we will tell you everything about Jaya Kelly, from her personal life to her gender reassignment. Stay tuned to uncover the truth behind her journey and experiences.
The Story of Jaya Kelly: R. Kelly’s Transgender Child
Jaya Lee Kelly, born in 2000 in the United States, is the child of American choreographer Andrea Kelly and singer R. Kelly. Jaya’s parents have African American roots and are United States nationals.
From an early age, Jaya identified as male despite being assigned female at birth. In 2014, he had the courage to come out as a transgender male. Jaya’s mother, Andrea, stood by him with unwavering support, doing everything she could to help him navigate this new chapter in his life. Sadly, his father held a different stance and was not accepting of Jaya’s identity.
Growing up, Jaya faced the challenge of bullying from his peers due to his choice to dress in boys’ clothing. However, he persevered and continued to embrace his true self. Jaya’s journey led him to complete his transition, and he now lives authentically as a transgender male.
Jaya Kelly: Siblings
Jaya Kelly, born in the United States, has two siblings. His sister, JoAnn Kelly, was born in 1998 and is a singer known by the stage name Buku Ab. Jaya also has a younger brother named Robert Kelly Jr., born in 2002, who is a basketball player.
During high school, Jaya attended a local school where he discovered his love for music. He started practicing and honing his musical skills. Instead of pursuing higher education, Jaya made the decision to fully dedicate himself to his passion for music.
Jaya Kelly’s Father: R. Kelly’s Musical Career and Legal Troubles
Jaya Kelly’s father, Robert Sylvester Kelly, is a well-known R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer. He gained immense success in the music industry, selling over 75 million records worldwide. R. Kelly is considered the most commercially successful male artist in R&B and is recognized as one of the world’s top-selling musicians.
However, R. Kelly’s fame was overshadowed by serious legal issues. He has been convicted for racketeering and sex offenses, facing multiple allegations of sexual abuse. These allegations led to numerous criminal trials and civil lawsuits against him. In 2022, R. Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in jail after being found guilty of eight counts of sex trafficking and one count of racketeering in a New York court.
In addition to the New York trial, R. Kelly also faced a second federal trial in Chicago, where he was convicted of child sexual abuse. Currently, he is serving his sentence as an inmate at Butner Federal Prison located in North Carolina.
Jaya Kelly’s Mother: Andre Kelly
Jaya Kelly’s mother, Andre Kelly (nee Lee), is an American choreographer, actress, and dancer. She was born on January 28, 1974, in Chicago, Illinois, making her currently 49 years old.
Although not much is known about her personal life, Andre gained popularity through her marriage to R. Kelly. Before their marriage, she worked as R. Kelly’s backup dancer. They tied the knot in 1996 but unfortunately divorced in 2009 after 13 years of marriage.
After her divorce, Andre remarried in 2012 to Brian McKee, a former Canadian ice hockey defenseman. However, their marriage lasted only two months before they divorced.
Jaya shares a close bond with her mother and sister, JoAnn. They enjoy spending time together as a family.
Jaya Kelly’s Inspiring Journey as a Transgender Male
Many people on the internet ask questions about Jaya Kelly’s sexuality and gender. Jaya was born a girl and liked boys. But when she was 14 years old, she surprised everyone by saying in an interview that she is transgender, which means she feels like a boy inside. Jaya explained that she used to think the only way to like girls was if she was a boy. So, she felt she was supposed to be a boy and wanted to have surgery and take medicine to become one. Jaya started wearing men’s clothes instead of girls’ clothes to show her masculine side, even though some kids at school made fun of her. But she didn’t care and continued on her journey to becoming a transgender male. Jaya’s mom supported her a lot, which helped her stay strong. So, to put it simply, Jaya Kelly, who was born a girl, is now a transgender boy. She has become a role model for many young people who struggle with their own gender identity.
How Jaya Kelly’s Family Reacted to Her Transition
Jaya Kelly, daughter of R. Kelly, recently talked about her family’s response to her decision to transition genders. In an interview, she shared that her mom and sister have been incredibly supportive and accept her as a transgender person. Her mom also has no problem using the right pronouns for her. However, after Jaya publicly announced her transition, she experienced deep depression, leading her to stay in a psychiatric hospital for a few weeks. During this tough time, her mom was there for her every step of the way, being her biggest supporter.
On the other hand, Jaya’s father, R. Kelly, has not commented on her announcement and they don’t have a relationship. The relationship between Jaya and her dad is complicated, and he hasn’t reached out since she made her announcement. Despite this, Jaya remains hopeful that the situation may change in the future.
Jaya also expressed her desire to undergo gender reassignment surgeries, but knows that she will have to wait for several more years before pursuing that journey.
Jaya Kelly’s Journey as a Singer and Rapper
Jaya Kelly is a singer and rapper, just like her famous father, R. Kelly. She started practicing music when she was in high school and is working hard to develop her talent. Jaya has released a few singles, including songs like “Reservoir” and “Focus.” She has also performed live at different events and music concerts using the stage name JaahBaby. Even though Jaya comes from a wealthy family, she wants to make a name for herself in the music industry without relying on her father’s fame. She is focusing a lot of her time on her music career and even taught herself how to play the piano and produce music. Jaya is determined to build a successful and sustainable career on her own.
Bottom Line
Jaya Kelly’s journey as a transgender male has been marked by resilience and support from her mother and sister, despite the lack of acceptance from her father. She has become an inspiration for many young people struggling with their own gender identity and is determined to establish herself as a successful singer and rapper in the music industry.