R. Kelly's Girlfriends Defend Singer, Deny Being Brainwashed

After R. Kelly’s explosive interview with Gayle King, where he denied allegations of sexual abuse, the singer’s live-in girlfriends are speaking out.

Sitting down with King for “CBS This Morning,” Azriel Clary, 21, and Joycelyn Savage, 23, who have been living with Kelly, defended their relationship with the 52-year-old singer, saying that they are in love with him.

During the tearful interview, they dismissed claims by their parents that they have been brainwashed, with Clary calling her father a “manipulative liar.” Clary also alleged that her parents tried to persuade her to film a sexual encounter with Kelly when she was underage.

“When I first met Robert, my parents told me to lie about my age,” said Clary. “So when I met him, he thought that I was 18. On top of that, when I was 17, my parents were actually making me, trying to get me to take photos with him, take sexual videos with him, all kinds of stuff… And they said, because if they ever have to blackmail him, what they’re trying to do now, they can use it against him, which is exactly what they’re doing.”

Savage concurred with Clary, accusing her parents of extortion. “Both our parents are basically out here trying to get money and scam ’cause they didn’t agree on what happened,” she said.

Added Clary, “My dad and my mom, they started to send threats to both me and [Kelly]. They said, ‘Oh, I’ll put all your naked pictures all over the world. I’m going to ruin you, I’m going to ruin him. If he doesn’t send $20,000 to this bank account by Monday, oh, I’m gonna put everything out there, and then $10,000 after that.’ You’re trying to solicit me like I’m some fucking ho. I’m not, I’m your child.”

Later in the interview, she broke down in tears. “I’m crying because you guys don’t know the truth, you guys are believing some fucking facade that our parents are saying,” said Clary. “This is all fucking lies for money and if you can’t see that, you’re ignorant and you’re stupid as fuck.”

Both women’s parents deny asking for or receiving any money from Kelly. “We have unequivocally denied allegations that the Savage family received money from Robert Kelly,” said Gerald Griggs, a lawyer for Savage’s parents. “At no point was money given to the Savage family, discussed with the Savage family, requested by the Savage family or offered to the Savage family.”

Kelly’s team told King that the singer would not be in the room for the interview, but he was reportedly present. “After the interview started, he was around the corner behind them,” said King. “But at points during the conversation he would cough very loudly so they were aware that he was there.”

During his interview with King, Kelly denied the sexual abuse charges, saying he is a victim of a smear campaign. An extended version of the interview is set to air Friday, March 8, at 8 p.m. on CBS.