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R Kelly's former hair braider speaks out about alleged abuse from singer

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R Kelly (PHOTO:GETTY/GALLO)
R Kelly (PHOTO:GETTY/GALLO)

Cape Town - Lanita Carter is one of four women involved in a case brought by Chicago prosecutors who charged R Kelly with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse in February.

In an interview with CBS This Morning, Lanita sat down with Jericka Duncan to speak about the sexual abuse she endured for two years while she worked as his hair braider and described coming forward against the RnB star as a "release".

"I was sexually abused by him, and I lived after that. I tried to pick up the pieces every day. It’s hard but I know I’ll get through it. I’m not ashamed of my past anymore," she said, adding: "This is a release. I’ve been carrying this since 2003."

Lanita said further that while working as Kelly’s hairdresser, the singer tried to force her to perform oral sex. When she would refuse, he allegedly masturbated on her.

Lanita furthermore explained how she had to endure people in public transport defend the singer amid his recent arrest for 10 counts of sexual abuse involving women and three minors at the time of the abuse according to Vulture.

"Did you hear about what they did with R Kelly? They need to leave that man alone." She recited the conversations she had to listen to in the bus.

"Today I say, No more," she continued. "You can talk about me. You cannot like what I'm saying about your favourite singer. But this is my life. This is my truth. This is what I have. If I die tomorrow, I know that I told the truth. I know that I want to be the best person I could be. I know that I want to help people. If it's anybody that wants to speak their truth, it's hard when it's a celebrity. It's not easy. It's not easy if it wasn't a celebrity. It makes it 10 times worse."

According to court documents, Lanita submitted a shirt of hers over to the authorities for DNA testing and matched R Kelly’s DNA profile, which was part of the evidence that led to the singer’s arrest in February.

R Kelly pleaded not guilty to all charges and was freed when he posted his $100 000 (R1.4 million) bail and awaits trial.

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW BELOW:

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