Andrea Danyell Kelly (née Lee, January 28, 1974), known professionally as Drea, is an American choreographer, dancer, and actress.[3][4] She is the second ex-wife of singer-songwriter R. Kelly.
Andrea Kelly | |
|---|---|
 Kelly in June 2018 | |
| Born | Andrea Danyell Lee January 28, 1974 |
| Other names | Drea |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 3 |
Background and personal life
editAndrea Danyell Lee was born in Chicago, Illinois, on January 28, 1974.
In 1996, Drea, then aged 22, married singer–songwriter R. Kelly[5] in Colorado.[6] Prior to their marriage, Drea was a backup dancer for Kelly.[6] Together Drea and Kelly have three children: daughters Joann (born 1998), Jaah (born 2000) and son Robert Jr. (born 2002).[5] 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.[7]
In 2018, Drea revealed on talk show 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 as being to help other victims of domestic violence.[8]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta | Herself | 10 Episodes |
| 2019 | Surviving R. Kelly | Herself | 6 Episodes[9] |
Videography
editCameo appearances
edit| Year | Music video | Director(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | "Summer Bunnies (Remix)" R. Kelly | Unknown |
| 1995 | "You Remind Me of Something" R. Kelly | David Nelson |
| 2003 | "Thoia Thoing" R. Kelly | Little X |
Books
edit| # | Title | Year | Type | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Life Under the Red Carpet: My Life as R. Kelly"s Wife | — | Autobiography |
References
edit- ^ R. Kelly. Yahoo Music Retrieved on May 6, 2015.
- ^ Kaufman, Gil (January 9, 2009). "R. Kelly"s Divorce Finalized". MTV. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
- ^ About Me Archived March 6, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. Iamdreakelly.com. Retrieved on May 6, 2015.
- ^ Hollywood Exes (TV Series) | Season 3 Episodes. VH1. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
- ^ a b Vibe Media Group (May 1, 2007). Vibe. Vibe Media Group. p. 83 – via Internet Archive.
andrea kelly.
- ^ a b Moore, Natalie Y. (October 29, 2020). "R. Kelly"s Wife Speaks Out: Notes on a Scandal". Essence.
- ^ Little, Char (August 15, 2014). "Andrea Kelly Divorce Settlement 2014: "Hollywood Exes" Star Slams Critics Amid Split, "Check Ya Moved On Email" [VIDEO] : Celebrities". Enstarz. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
- ^ Iasimone, Ashley (October 6, 2018). "R. Kelly"s Ex-Wife Details Alleged Abuse: "I Thought I Was Gonna Die"". Billboard.
- ^ "Surviving R. Kelly Docuseries". IMDb.com. IMDB. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
External links
edit- Andrea Kelly at IMDb