Andrea Lee, who went by the professional name of Drea Kelly, was wedded to renowned singer R. Kelly for more than a decade. Their marriage was full of ups and downs. Andrea was not only his wife; she was a good choreographer, dancer, and actress. However, behind the glamour, her life with R. Kelly was not as sparkling as it appeared.
Quick Facts About Andrea Lee
| Full Name | Andrea Danyell Lee |
| Birthdate | January 28, 1974 |
| Occupation | Choreographer, Dancer, Actress |
| Husband/Wife | R. Kelly (married in 1996, divorced in 2009); Brian McKee (married in 2014, divorced in 2014) |
| Education | High School Graduate |
| Age | 51 years and 3 months old |
| Parents | Not Known |
| Siblings | Not Known |
| Children | Joann Kelly (Daughter), Jaya Kelly (Daughter), Robert Kelly Jr. (Son) |
| Net Worth | Estimated at $3 Million (approx.) |
Early Life and Career
Andrea Danyell Lee was born on January 28, 1974, in Chicago, Illinois. She grew up fascinated by dance and performing. Andrea loved to dance so much that it became a part of her professional life too. She became a backup dancer for some artists, including R. Kelly. She danced with him for some time before their meeting took a personal turn. Andrea and R. Kelly got married in 1996 when Andrea was only 22 years old. She was developing her career at the time.
Marriage to R. Kelly
She and R. Kelly shared three children together: two girls, Joann Kelly (born 1998) and Jaya Kelly (born 2000), and one boy, Robert Kelly Jr. (born 2002). The couple had children and some happy moments, but their marriage was not as perfect as it appeared on the surface.
Behind closed doors, Andrea said she endured serious emotional, physical and sexual abuse. She later came forward about her traumatic experiences, explaining how the abuse affected her mental and emotional well-being. Andrea explained that she developed PTSD and even contemplated taking her own life because of the trauma she experienced during the marriage.
Life After the Marriage
Andrea obtained a restraining order against R. Kelly in 2005. She made a courageous move in attempting to defend herself and her children. Their marriage lasted 13 years before it ended in 2009, but the process was not straightforward. The couple finalized their divorce on a non-disclosure basis, which means Andrea could not discuss the specifics of their marriage freely for a period. But Andrea later mustered the courage to open up about what she had endured.
Andrea temporarily remarried in 2014 to Brian McKee, but the marriage collapsed after two months. The break-up was because of allegations of infidelity by her second husband. Despite pain and disappointment over her previous relationship, Andrea stands firm.
Raising Awareness About Abuse
Following her divorce with R. Kelly, Andrea took her ugly experiences and channeled them into something powerful. She became a survivor of domestic violence advocate. She spoke out about her experiences in various platforms to assist others who were experiencing the same. Andrea desired to sensitise others to the signs of abuse and prompt others to speak out.
Andrea featured in the 2019 documentary Surviving R. Kelly. This was a life-changing moment for her as she spoke openly about the abuse she had suffered and how it affected her. By speaking out, Andrea wanted to give courage to other women who had experienced something similar to her.
READ ALSO: R Kelly Net worth, Age, Girlfriend, Family, Facts & More
Career in Dance and Choreography
In spite of personal struggles, Andrea remains committed to her career in dance and choreography. She has produced different projects within the entertainment sector, and she continues to work with her abilities to help inspire others. Andrea’s career has become a source of inspiration for her, and she stands on her platform to address abuse and healing.
