Andrea Danyell Kelly (néeLee, 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.
Background and personal life
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 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 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
Film
Year
Title
Role
Notes
2013
The Big Dirty List Show: 50 Years of Sex and Music
