R. Kelly‘s ex-wife and the mother of his children, Drea Kelly, recently did a Facebook and Instagram live to promote her businesses, and she was irked by a commenter who asked a rather personal question.
Drea Kelly, a professional dancer and choreographer, was giving details about her upcoming classes when a social media user asked why she had not changed her last name.
The reality star, born Andrea Lee, was married to disgraced R&B legend R. Kelly from 1996 to 2009. The former couple shares three children — Jay Kelly, Joann Kelly, and Robert Kelly Jr.
Drea Kelly remarried Brian McKee in 2014 and filed for divorce two months after saying “I do.” The actress has spoken out against the controversial music superstar, so why is she holding on to his last name?
Drea Kelly, vexed and frustrated, told the person it was none of their business.
And eventually reminded the person that Kelly is her children’s last name and she is not changing it. She also shaded the person by saying they should get off Instagram and go do something with their lives.
Drea Kelly’s decision sparked a heated debate. Some people backed Drea Kelly for keeping R. Kelly’s last name because she earned it and he will always remain the father of her children.
Others claimed that R. Kelly’s many scandals should have pushed his former spouse to cut all ties.
A backer had this to say about the dancer’s choice: “Lighten up people. Why is it anyone’s business what she should do with her last name? Regardless of the situation, it’s still her decision.”
This woman had the following argument for R. Kelly’s ex-wife to go back to her maiden name: “I’m a married woman, and my last name is Kelly too, coincidentally, but I do wonder why women get divorced and refuse to go back to their maiden name. I never understood it & Tina Turner was a BRAND…not judging, just asking, cuz once I’m done with the man, he can have that name back. A history of having a name for some years affects your known identity when changing it. I got married in my late teens, and after a divorce after 10 years of being married, I had created an adult history and identity by being known by my married name. People think it’s as simple as just changing a name. I kept my married name for many reasons. My children, business affairs, personal known identity, and long history of already being known as an adult with the name. Drea has a brand that she has developed as a choreographer through the years and is known by the name that she holds. If she were to change it now after having held it for some time, she would have to reorganize business affairs, and for her brand, she would no longer be as acceptable due to not being recognizable for having a different name than the one she has held for years. Why in this length of time change it back? People, please leave her alone with the name. Many of the ladies know, if they were in Drea’s shoes and held the Kelly name, they definitely wouldn’t be changing their name back.”
Drea Kelly has spoken multiple times against her ex-husband’s actions and explained that she was verbally and physically abused by him.
Kelly is serving 30 years in prison after being convicted of sex trafficking, child pornography, and sexual exploitation of a minor.
Kelly’s saga was the subject of a documentary television series called Surviving R. Kelly.
