Woman Abused by R. Kelly as a Child Speaks Out: 'I'm Here Today as Reshona'

In her first-ever interview, Reshona Landfair, the girl in R. Kelly's infamous tape, discusses the singer's abuse and her long road to healing.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 10:31am

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Reshona Landfair, the girl in R. Kelly's infamous child pornography tape, is breaking her silence after 25 years. In her first-ever interview, Landfair details how the singer methodically groomed and abused her as a teenager, and how she is now reclaiming her story and her name through a poignant memoir. Landfair describes the painful aftermath of having her privacy ripped away and being turned into a punchline, as well as the failures of her own family and the justice system to protect her. Now in her 40s, Landfair is determined to move forward and help other survivors through her non-profit organization.

Why it matters

Reshona Landfair's story sheds light on the systemic failures that allowed R. Kelly to abuse underage girls for decades, and how Black girls in particular were failed by the justice system and their own communities. Her decision to speak out publicly for the first time represents an important step in her healing process and in holding Kelly accountable for his crimes.

The details

Landfair first met R. Kelly through her aunt Sparkle, who was signed to Kelly's label. Kelly ingratiated himself into Landfair's family, eventually becoming her godfather. He then systematically groomed and abused Landfair for over a decade, controlling every aspect of her life. Landfair was featured in the infamous 'R. Kelly tape' that helped launch the first child pornography case against the singer, but she was too afraid and manipulated by Kelly to testify in his 2008 trial, leading to his acquittal. Landfair was kept in isolation and under Kelly's thumb for years, only breaking free in her mid-20s. She is now sharing her story in a memoir to reclaim her narrative and help other survivors.

  • In the late 1990s, Landfair's aunt Sparkle first raised concerns about Landfair's relationship with Kelly.
  • In 2002, Kelly was arrested on a 21-count indictment pertaining to child pornography charges, leading to a years-long period where he kept Landfair isolated and under his control.
  • In 2008, Kelly was acquitted in the child pornography trial, in part due to Landfair's refusal to testify against him under pressure from Kelly.
  • In 2019, the Lifetime docuseries 'Surviving R. Kelly' premiered, blindsiding Landfair and leading her to reach out to Kelly for answers.
  • In August 2022, Landfair testified against Kelly under a Jane Doe pseudonym at his criminal trial in Chicago.

The players

Reshona Landfair

The woman who was the underage girl featured in R. Kelly's infamous child pornography tape, and who was systematically groomed and abused by the singer for over a decade.

R. Kelly

The disgraced R&B singer who was convicted of racketeering, sex trafficking, producing child sexual abuse imagery, and coercing minors into sex acts, and is currently serving a 50-year prison sentence.

Sparkle

Landfair's aunt, who was a rising R&B star signed to R. Kelly's label and helped introduce him to the Landfair family.

Greg Landfair

Reshona Landfair's father, who was offered steady work as a studio musician for R. Kelly and struggled to protect his daughter from the singer's abuse.

Derrel McDavid

R. Kelly's longtime business manager and accountant, who was accused of helping coordinate payoffs to Kelly's accusers ahead of the 2008 trial.

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What they’re saying

“I must live with the choices my parents and I made, and with Robert's abuse of other women and girls who met him after he was acquitted.”

— Reshona Landfair (Rolling Stone)

“Don't hurt him. I know there were a lot of things that happened that, you know, shouldn't have or that could have been avoided. But don't hurt him.”

— Derrel McDavid, R. Kelly's longtime business manager and accountant (Rolling Stone)

“If I were a Caucasian girl who got peed on, there would have been a different outcome. Everybody would have looked at things completely different.”

— Reshona Landfair (Rolling Stone)

What’s next

The judge in R. Kelly's case will decide on Tuesday whether to allow him to be released on bail pending his appeal.

The takeaway

Reshona Landfair's story highlights the systemic failures that allowed R. Kelly to abuse underage girls for decades, and how Black girls in particular were failed by the justice system and their own communities. Her decision to speak out publicly represents an important step in holding Kelly accountable and in the healing process for survivors of his abuse.