Andrea Danyell Kelly (née Lee, January 28, 1974), known professionally as Drea, is an American choreographer, dancer, and actress.[3][4] She is the ex-wife of singer-songwriter R. Kelly.

Andrea Kelly
Kelly in June 2018
Born
Andrea Danyell Lee

(1974-01-28) January 28, 1974 (age 50)
Other namesDrea
Occupations
  • Dancer
  • choreographer
  • actress
Years active1994–present
Spouses
  • (m. 1996; div. 2009)
    [1][2]
  • Brian McKee
    (m. 2014; div. 2014)
Children3

Background and personal life edit

Andrea 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 (b. 1998), Jaah (b. 2000) and son Robert Jr. (b. 2002).[5] Drea changed her last name from Lee to Kelly. Drea filed a restraining order against Kelly in September 2005 after he 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 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.[8]

Filmography edit

Film 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 edit

Cameo 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

  1. ^ R. Kelly. Yahoo Music Retrieved on May 6, 2015.
  2. ^ R. Kelly's Divorce Finalized. MTV (January 9, 2009). Retrieved on 2015-05-06.
  3. ^ About Me Archived March 6, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. Iamdreakelly.com. Retrieved on May 6, 2015.
  4. ^ Hollywood Exes (TV Series) | Season 3 Episodes. VH1. Retrieved on May 6, 2015.
  5. ^ a b Group, Vibe Media (May 1, 2007). Vibe. Vibe Media Group. p. 83 – via Internet Archive. andrea kelly.
  6. ^ a b "R. Kelly's Wife Speaks Out: Notes on a Scandal". Essence. October 29, 2020.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ Iasimone, Ashley (October 6, 2018). "R. Kelly's Ex-Wife Details Alleged Abuse: 'I Thought I Was Gonna Die'". Billboard.
  9. ^ "Surviving R. Kelly Docuseries". IMDb.com. IMDB. Retrieved October 7, 2019.

External links edit