Jaya Kelly, or Jaah Kelly, is the son of renowned R&B singer R. Kelly and his former wife Andrea Kelly. Jaya was born in 2000 and is the middle child in the family. He has an older sister named Joann Kelly, who is also a singer, and a younger brother named Robert Kelly Jr. Jaya’s life has been highly publicized, particularly after he announced that he was transgender. Here is what you need to know about him.
Quick Facts About Jaya Kelly
| Full Name | Jaya Kelly (now Jay Kelly) |
| Birthdate | 2000 |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Husband/Wife | Not married |
| Height | 1.74 m |
| Age | 25 years and 5 months old |
| Parents | R. Kelly and Andrea Kelly |
| Siblings | Joann (Buku Abi), Robert Kelly Jr. |
| Children | None |
| Net Worth | <$1 million (as of 2025) |
| Gender Identity | Transgender male |
| Sexual Orientation | Gay |
Early Life and Family
Jaya Kelly was born in 2000 to R. Kelly and Andrea Kelly. His parents met when Andrea was a backup dancer, and they married in 1996. They had three children together, including Jaya. Jaya’s mother, Andrea, has always been supportive and loving, helping him navigate some tough times. His father, R. Kelly, is known for his controversial career, which has often made headlines for the wrong reasons.
Jaya had a lot to battle during his childhood. He usually did not feel comfortable in his own body. Jaya realized something was unusual when he was little. He went on to disclose that he knew he was a boy from about 6 or 7 years old. This continued even as he became older, and he finally came out as trans.
Jaya’s Journey of Self-Discovery
Jaya made his gender identity as a transgender male public when he was 14 years old. He was previously named Jaya Kelly. After coming out, he began to introduce himself as Jay Kelly. In interviews, he said that he felt like he was stuck in a woman’s body. It was not an easy situation for him, but eventually, he learned to accept who he was.
Jaya also shared about his sexual orientation. Prior to transitioning, he considered himself a lesbian. After he was 18, he was able to openly love himself for who he was. Jaya’s transition, however, was not solely gender, but also about loving himself as himself.
Support from His Family
Jaya’s mother, Andrea Kelly, has been his greatest supporter. Andrea supported Jaya throughout his journey, giving him love and advice. She has repeatedly talked about how proud she is of her son and how necessary it is to love and accept oneself.
His older sister, Joann Kelly, who performs as Buku Abi, has also been highly supportive. The siblings share a close relationship, and Joann has shown Jaya her love and pride in his courage.
Sadly, Jaya’s relationship with his father, R. Kelly, has been tense. R. Kelly has had serious legal problems, and these have influenced his family. When Jaya revealed that she was transgender, R. Kelly did not receive her well. He made statements in public that appeared to ignore Jaya’s identity. Jaya responded with a diss track in 2019 that portrayed his feelings concerning his father’s behavior.
Jaya’s Career in Music
Jaya Kelly, now Jay Kelly, is a singer as well. Like his parents, he enjoys music. He has put up his songs on sites such as SoundCloud, and like his family, his genre involves R&B mixed with pop. Jay Kelly makes music a source through which he can express himself and tell the world his story.
Even though he is just starting to develop his career, Jay’s music reflects the adversity he’s experienced in his life. He wants to be recognized not only as R. Kelly’s son, but as a performer in his own right.
READ ALSO: R Kelly Net worth, Age, Girlfriend, Family, Facts & More
Life Beyond the Spotlight
Even though Jaya Kelly lived in the public eye as a child because of his father’s fame, he has generally kept his life private. He has done everything in his power to create a life for himself that is different from his father’s scandals. Jaya’s story is a reminder that identity is something that belongs to an individual and accepting who you are can be an empowering experience.
Jaya has not been without his challenges, but he has emerged the stronger for them. He has been able to draw upon his mother and sister, who remain loyal to him. His is a story of strength, of finding himself, and of the need to be true to oneself.
