MadameNoire Featured Video

DKNY and Vanity Fair Present In Concert Series

Source: Mychal Watts / Getty

Earlier today, we reported that Jovante Cunningham, one of R. Kelly’s former backup singers, claimed that she and others witnessed Kelly engage in a sexual act with the underaged Aaliyah. She claimed that it took place in front of several members while they were on a tour bus.

It was just one of many accounts from the upcoming Surviving R. Kelly documentary coming to Lifetime tomorrow.

Now, Diane Haughton, Aaliyah’s mother has reportedly come forward with a statement regarding this particular claim as well as the documentary in general.

A statement released to an Aaliyah fan group, reads:

The woman and so-called back up singer in the forthcoming “Surviving…” documentary that describes seeing, meeting or ever breathing the same air as my daughter, Aaliyah, is lying and is a liar. My husband and I were always on tour with her and at interviews wand every place she went throughout her entire career. Whoever this woman is, I have never seen her before anywhere on planet earth, until now.

These lies and fabrications cannot be tolerated and allowed to be spewed from the forked tongues of saboteurs of Aaliyah’s legacy. My daughter only wanted to realize her dream of sharing her talent with the world, and give her all performing on stage, and in from top the camera for the fans she adored so much. She realized that dream, thanks to those true fans who still love and support her legacy unconditionally to this day.

Shame on all those involved in this project who thought it kosher to drag Aaliyah’s name into a situation that has nothing to do with her today. Once again, this will not be tolerated.

Sincerely,

Diane Haughton.

Since the statement was released to a fan, there were those who questioned the validity of it. But a few hours ago, Rashad Haughton, the late singer’s brother, retweeted a link to the story from Yahoo.com.

I can understand while she might not want people to remember her child as a victim of sexual abuse, there are documents proving that the two married. So there were instances when they weren’t around. Furthermore, in his groundbreaking piece for the Village Voice, journalist Jim DeRogatis, spoke specifically about Aaliyah’s mother crying on his shoulder.

“I had Aaliyah’s mother cry on my shoulder and say her daughter’s life was ruined, Aaliyah’s life was never the same after that. That’s not an experience you’ve had. I’m not expecting you to feel the same way I do. But you can look at this body of evidence. “You” meaning everybody who cares.”

See what other people had to say about the statement on the following pages.

Comment Disclaimer: Comments that contain profane or derogatory language, video links or exceed 200 words will require approval by a moderator before appearing in the comment section. XOXO-MN