R Kelly’s daughter says she considered suicide after social media abuse

'I didn't do anything. I didn't ask to be here'

R Kelly's eldest child has opened up about the impact online abuse had on her following the recent social media backlash to her father, revealing she almost considered taking her own life.

During Thursday evening's episode of reality television series Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta, rapper Joann Kelly, who goes by the stage name Buku Abi, spoke about the controversy surrounding her father.

On Friday, it was reported that R&B artist Kelly had been arrested in Chicago and indicted over 13 federal charges that include child grooming, having already faced state charges of sexual abuse. The singer has denied allegations of sexual abuse for years.

Abi's statement on Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta came months after a six-part documentary titled Surviving R Kelly detailing the sexual abuse allegations made against the musician aired on Lifetime.

The 21-year-old explained that she received a torrent of online abuse in light of the accusations made against 52-year-old Kelly.

"People don't realise how bad that hurts," Abi said.

"Because it's like, I didn't do anything. I didn't ask to be here."

Abi stated that the hurtful comments she received on social media took an extreme toll on her mental health.

"To the point where I almost tried to take my life. Like, that is heavy s**t," the rapper said.

Abi added that those who say she's "selfish" for feeling the way she does are "really heartless".

The musician also spoke about the way people have behaved towards her in everyday life, stating that she had to drop out of college.

"I've had parents not let their children hang out with me," Abi said.

"I'm sad, and I have the right to be sad."

In January, Abi shared a post on her Instagram story denouncing her father and describing him as a "monster" following the release of Surviving R Kelly.

Abi's mother, Andrea Lee, was married to Kelly from 1996 until 2009.

“The same monster you all confronting me about is my father,” Abi wrote on her Instagram story. “I am well aware of who and what he is."

Kelly was arrested on Thursday night by New York Police detectives and investigators from the Department of Homeland Security, NBC News reported.

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