Andrea Kelly Explained

Andrea Kelly
Birth Name:Andrea Danyell Lee
Other Names:Drea
Birth Date:28 January 1974
Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Years Active:1994–present
Children:3

Andrea Danyell Kelly (née Lee, January 28, 1974), known professionally as Drea, is an American choreographer, dancer, and actress.[1] [2] She is the ex-wife of singer-songwriter R. Kelly.

Background and personal life

Andrea Danyell Lee was born in Chicago, Illinois, on January 28, 1974.

In 1996, Drea, then aged 22, married singer–songwriter R. Kelly[3] in Colorado.[4] Prior to their marriage, Drea was a backup dancer for Kelly. Together Drea and Kelly have three children: daughters Joann (b. 1998), Jaah (b. 2000) and son Robert Jr. (b. 2002). Drea changed her last name from Lee to Kelly. Drea filed a restraining order against Kelly in September 2005 after he allegedly assaulted her when she told him she wanted a divorce. Kelly filed for divorce from Lee in 2006; it was finalized in 2009, both parties signed a NDA and Lee was given an undisclosed amount of money for alimony.

In 2014, Drea married 36-year-old barber and R&B singer Brian McKee, whom she divorced after just two months of marriage after allegations surfaced that he was having an affair.[5]

In 2018, Drea revealed on The View that R. Kelly emotionally and physically abused her throughout their marriage. She stated the abuse became so severe that she contemplated suicide. Drea detailed an incident where Kelly assaulted her in the back of his Hummer, and as a result she suffers from PTSD. Another time, Kelly "hogtied" her in bed, raped her, and fell asleep while she was still tied. She stated her motive for speaking out many years after their divorce is to help other victims of domestic violence.[6]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2013 The Big Dirty List Show: 50 Years of Sex and Music Herself Documentary
2015 Before "I Do" Breanna Taylor
2015 Chocolate City Dance Instructor Cameo

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2012 Big Morning Buzz Live with Carrie Keagan Herself Talk-show
2012–2014 Hollywood Exes Herself
2013–2014 Bethenny Herself 4 Episodes
2015 Between The Sheet With Drea Kelly Herself (host)Talk-show
2017 Xscape: Still Kickin It! Herself 4 Episodes
2019 Herself 10 Episodes
2019 Surviving R. Kelly Herself 6 Episodes[7]

Videography

Cameo appearances

YearMusic videoDirector(s)
1994"Summer Bunnies (Remix)" R. KellyUnknown
1995"You Remind Me of Something" R. KellyDavid Nelson
2003"Thoia Thoing" R. KellyLittle X

Notes and References

  1. http://www.iamdreakelly.com/about-me.html About Me
  2. https://web.archive.org/web/20120610043459/http://www.vh1.com/shows/hollywood_exes/series.jhtml Hollywood Exes (TV Series) | Season 3 Episodes
  3. Book: Group, Vibe Media . Vibe . 83 . andrea kelly. . May 1, 2007 . Vibe Media Group . Internet Archive.
  4. Web site: R. Kelly's Wife Speaks Out: Notes on a Scandal . Essence . October 29, 2020.
  5. http://www.enstarz.com/articles/43992/20140815/andrea-kelly-divorce-settlement-2014-hollywood-exes-star-slams-critics-amid-split-check-ya-moved-on-email-video.htm Andrea Kelly Divorce Settlement 2014: 'Hollywood Exes' Star Slams Critics Amid Split, 'Check Ya Moved On Email' [VIDEO] : Celebrities]. Enstarz (August 15, 2014). Retrieved on 2015-05-06.
  6. R. Kelly's Ex-Wife Details Alleged Abuse: 'I Thought I Was Gonna Die' . Iasimone . Ashley . October 6, 2018 . Billboard.
  7. Web site: Surviving R. Kelly Docuseries . IMDb.com . IMDB . 7 October 2019.