Jay Kelly: R. Kelly’s Transgender Son’s Journey, Music Career & Life Story

Jay Kelly, born Jaya Kelly, is an American singer and songwriter who came out as a transgender male at age 14. As the middle child of R&B artist R. Kelly and choreographer Andrea Lee, Jay has built an independent music career under the stage name JaahBaby while becoming a visible figure in transgender advocacy.

Born November 26, 2000, in Los Angeles, California, Jay recognized his gender identity from early childhood. Despite growing up under intense public scrutiny due to his father’s fame and subsequent criminal convictions, Jay has used music as both self-expression and healing. His story represents courage, authenticity, and the power of maternal support in navigating gender identity.

Who is Jay Kelly?

Jay Kelly is a 25-year-old transgender male singer and songwriter known professionally as JaahBaby. As the son of convicted R&B singer R. Kelly and professional dancer Andrea Lee, Jay grew up surrounded by music and creativity. He publicly came out as transgender in June 2014 through social media, making him one of the most visible transgender youth at that time.

Jay’s gender identity journey began early. In interviews, he revealed feeling like a boy since age six or seven. At 11, he discovered online communities of transgender individuals who shared similar experiences, which helped him understand his own identity. This self-discovery led to his public announcement at 14, supported strongly by his mother, Andrea, and older sister, Joann.

His music career reflects both his personal journey and artistic talent. Creating music under the alias JaahBaby, Jay blends contemporary R&B with personal storytelling that speaks to themes of identity, freedom, and resilience.

Early Life and Childhood

Jay Kelly was born into a world where music and fame intersected with complex family dynamics. Growing up in Los Angeles as the middle child between sister Joann and brother Robert Jr., Jay’s early years were shaped by both artistic exposure and personal challenges.

His father, Robert Sylvester Kelly (R. Kelly), achieved worldwide fame as an R&B singer with hits like “I Believe I Can Fly” and “Ignition (Remix).” His mother, Andrea Lee, worked as a professional dancer, choreographer, and actress who appeared on VH1’s “Hollywood Exes.” The household provided creative inspiration but also brought pressures that most children never experience.

From a young age, Jay struggled with his assigned gender. He wore men’s clothing to school and faced mockery from classmates who didn’t understand his identity. In interviews with Paper Magazine, Jay explained that as a child who liked girls, he initially believed the only way to like girls was to be a boy—a confusion stemming from a limited understanding of gender identity and sexual orientation.

His parents divorced in 2009 when Jay was nine years old. Andrea cited years of physical and emotional abuse during their 13-year marriage. Following the divorce, Jay and his siblings lived primarily with their mother, who provided stability and unconditional support during their formative years.

Coming Out as Transgender

In June 2014, at age 14, Jay Kelly made international headlines by publicly coming out as transgender. He announced his identity through a lengthy Instagram post and Q&A session on Ask.fm, thanking his mother and sister for their unwavering support.

Jay described the moment he told his mother, Andrea: “[My mom] was like, ‘Baby, you know I love you if you were bi, gay, [lesbian], you name it, and I would still love you so much.’ And same with my sister, she told me that she was proud of me, and respects me by calling me handsome and calling me her little brother now, and I love her for that.”

In his public statement, Jay revealed he had identified as male since age six or seven. At 11, he discovered online resources about transgender experiences, searching phrases like “boy changes to girl, and girl changes to boy.” This research helped him understand what being transgender meant and that others shared his feelings.

Jay’s coming out occurred during a pivotal moment in transgender visibility, coinciding with increased mainstream awareness through figures like Laverne Cox and Caitlyn Jenner. His announcement drew significant media attention, with headlines focusing both on his courage and his connection to his famous father.

The teenager expressed plans for medical transition, stating: “I believe I am a boy and want surgery, and the medication to help me become who I am supposed to be.” He described still having “female organs” but hoped to transition fully at some point.

Relationship with R. Kelly

Jay’s relationship with his father R. Kelly has been consistently strained and complicated. When Jay publicly came out in 2014, R. Kelly addressed it reluctantly during a radio interview with Chicago’s WGCI. When asked about his “daughter becoming his son,” R. Kelly responded dismissively: “You don’t really wanna open it up by saying that my daughter is becoming my son… Always believe what you see, with your own eyes.”

Despite agreeing to discuss Jay briefly, R. Kelly’s response lacked genuine acceptance. He told the radio host he would support his children regardless of gender or sexual orientation, but his actions suggested otherwise. Jay has stated his father “has not reached out” since his announcement and described their relationship as “really complicated.”

According to family representatives, R. Kelly “has never denied Mr. Kelly from seeing their children, he has chosen not to be around” and “has not tried to make contact with them.” This abandonment occurred during a critical period when Jay needed parental support in navigating his transition.

The distance between father and son grew further as R. Kelly’s legal troubles intensified. In 2021, R. Kelly was convicted on federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges, receiving a 30-year prison sentence. In 2022, he was convicted on additional child pornography charges in Chicago. As of 2026, R. Kelly is serving a combined 31-year sentence at FCI Butner Medium I in North Carolina, with eligibility for release not until 2045.

In January 2019, Jay announced plans to release a diss track aimed at his father, but never officially released the full song. He posted snippets on Instagram with a caption explaining: “It was very hard to record the song, let alone write it and produce the beat, and I’ve just been thinking about everything I’ve had to deal with being R. Kelly’s child.”

Andrea Lee: A Mother’s Unconditional Support

Andrea Lee (also known as Drea Kelly or Andrea Kelly) has been Jay’s strongest supporter throughout his transition and life journey. As a professional dancer, choreographer, and domestic abuse survivor, Andrea provided the emotional foundation Jay needed to embrace his authentic self.

Andrea was the first person Jay told about his gender identity, around age 10. Her immediate acceptance created a safe environment for Jay to explore and express his true self. In a statement to ABC News when Jay came out publicly, Andrea said: “A mother’s love is like that of God; it’s nothing you can do to earn, nothing you can do to lose it and nothing will ever change it… I love my baby no matter what, and his courage makes it so easy to be a proud mom.”

After divorcing R. Kelly in 2009, Andrea appeared in Lifetime’s 2019 documentary “Surviving R. Kelly,” where she detailed years of domestic abuse. She has since become an advocate for domestic abuse awareness and women’s rights, using her platform to support others facing similar challenges.

Andrea’s parenting approach emphasized acceptance over conformity. She enrolled her children in regular schools, maintained stability despite public scrutiny, and encouraged them to pursue their passions without being defined by their father’s legacy.

Siblings: Joann and Robert Jr.

Jay shares close bonds with his siblings, who have been sources of strength throughout his journey.

Joann Kelly (Buku Abi)

Jay’s older sister is also a singer and songwriter. Performing under the stage name Buku Abi, she has released music, including her debut EP “Don’t Call Me” in 2019. Joann was immediately supportive when Jay came out, calling him “handsome” and embracing him as her “little brother.”

In October 2024, Joann made headlines with her own revelations in the documentary “R. Kelly’s Karma: A Daughter’s Journey,” where she alleged R. Kelly sexually abused her as a child. She has been open about mental health struggles, suicide attempts, and her journey toward healing. Joann featured Jay’s production work on her single “Focus,” released in October 2019, demonstrating their collaborative relationship.

Robert Kelly Jr.

Jay’s younger brother has chosen a different path, pursuing college basketball rather than music. While less publicly visible than his siblings, Robert Jr. has maintained family bonds and supported his siblings through their challenges.

The three siblings share experiences of growing up under extraordinary circumstances—balancing their father’s fame with his criminal behavior, their mother’s strength with her pain, and their own identities with public expectations.

Music Career as JaahBaby

Jay Kelly began creating music at age 13, using songwriting and production as outlets for self-expression and emotional processing. He learned to play clarinet, trumpet, and piano during high school, developing musical skills that would shape his artistic voice.

In 2014, shortly before publicly coming out, Jay released his debut single “Reservoir” under the stage name JaahBaby. The track showcased his unique style and established him as an independent artist separate from his father’s legacy. According to interviews, Jay would stay up all night recording music in his room, channeling difficult emotions into creative output.

His music blends contemporary R&B with personal storytelling, incorporating elements of pop and electronic sounds. While his father’s musical influence is undeniable, Jay has deliberately created his own artistic identity that reflects his transgender experience and personal journey.

In October 2019, Jay released “Focus,” featuring a guest verse from his sister Joann Kelly (Buku Abi). The collaboration demonstrated the siblings’ mutual support and shared musical talent. In 2020, he released “Lost It” on SoundCloud, continuing to build his catalog independently.

Jay’s mother, Andrea, has praised his natural talent and fearlessness as an artist, comparing his abilities to his father’s while emphasizing Jay’s unique voice and perspective. Music has been more than a career for Jay—it’s been a lifeline during depression, a tool for processing trauma, and a means of authentic self-expression.

As of 2025-2026, Jay continues working on new music. Some sources suggest he’s developing an 8-track project while maintaining a relatively private life split between Atlanta and Los Angeles.

Mental Health and Resilience

Jay’s journey has included significant mental health challenges. Growing up under intense public scrutiny while navigating gender identity, family trauma, and his father’s criminal convictions created immense pressure for someone so young.

Jay has been open about experiencing depression during his teenage years and early twenties. At one point, he was hospitalized due to mental health struggles. These experiences shaped his understanding of self-care, coping mechanisms, and the importance of support systems.

Music served as both therapy and purpose during Jay’s darkest moments. Creating songs allowed him to process complex emotions, express truths he couldn’t speak aloud, and connect with others facing similar struggles. His willingness to be vulnerable through his art has made him relatable to fans navigating their own identity journeys.

Despite these challenges, Jay has demonstrated remarkable resilience. He has continued pursuing his music career, maintained relationships with supportive family members, and used his platform to indirectly encourage others in the LGBTQ+ community.

Advocacy and LGBTQ+ Representation

While Jay doesn’t position himself primarily as an activist, his mere existence as an out transgender artist from a famous family has made him a role model for transgender youth. By living authentically and publicly from age 14, Jay has shown young people that it’s possible to be true to oneself despite external pressures.

Jay’s visibility came during a critical period for transgender rights and awareness. Between 2014 and 2016, transgender issues gained unprecedented mainstream attention, with both progress and backlash. Jay’s willingness to share his story contributed to this broader conversation about gender identity, particularly for young people.

His approach to advocacy is subtle rather than overt. Jay doesn’t make his music explicitly about LGBTQ+ issues, but his very presence as a transgender artist in the music industry makes a powerful statement. He demonstrates that transgender individuals can pursue their dreams, create art, and be valued for their talents rather than reduced to their gender identity.

Through social media, Jay shares aspects of his life that resonate with fans exploring their own identities. His style—often casual streetwear, hoodies, and artistic touches—reflects confidence and individuality that many young transgender people find inspiring.

Physical Appearance and Style

Jay Kelly stands approximately 5’8″ tall with a lean build, weighing around 139 pounds. His appearance reflects his gender identity and personal aesthetic, often featuring casual streetwear, layered outfits, and artistic elements that match his creative personality.

Through social media glimpses, Jay presents a natural and relaxed image that resonates with fans who appreciate authenticity over polished celebrity presentation. He has tattoos, including a stylized design on his neck, adding to his distinctive look.

His style evolution mirrors his transition journey—moving from clothing that didn’t feel right to expressions that align with his true self. This visual authenticity has made Jay a positive representation for young people exploring their own identity and self-acceptance.

Income and Net Worth

Jay Kelly’s primary income derives from his music career as an independent artist. Revenue sources include:

• Music releases and streaming on platforms like SoundCloud and major services
• Live performances and potential touring
• Music production work, including collaborations with his sister
• Potential brand partnerships aligned with his values

His estimated net worth ranges between $300,000 and $500,000 as of 2025-2026. This financial independence is particularly significant given his estrangement from his father and decision to build success on his own terms rather than relying on family connections or wealth.

Unlike celebrity children who inherit wealth or trade on famous names, Jay has deliberately created separation between himself and his father’s legacy. His stage name JaahBaby rather than “Kelly” demonstrates this intentional distance.

Jay Kelly Timeline

• 2000: Born Jaya Kelly on November 26 in Los Angeles, California
• 2009: Parents R. Kelly and Andrea Lee divorce; Jay and siblings live primarily with their mother
• 2010: Around age 10, tells his mother Andrea about his gender identity
• 2013: Begins creating music at age 13
• 2014: Releases debut single “Reservoir” as JaahBaby; publicly comes out as transgender at age 14 in June
• 2019: Announces plans for diss track aimed at R. Kelly; releases “Focus” featuring sister Joann Kelly
• 2020: Releases “Lost It” on SoundCloud
• 2021: Father R. Kelly convicted on federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges
• 2022: R. Kelly convicted on child pornography charges; receives a combined 31-year prison sentence
• 2023-2024: Continues music career while maintaining private life
• 2025-2026: Reportedly working on new music project; living between Atlanta and Los Angeles

Conclusion

Jay Kelly’s story represents more than celebrity offspring overcoming family scandal. His journey illustrates the power of authentic self-expression, the critical importance of parental support for transgender youth, and the possibility of building meaningful success despite extraordinary challenges.

By coming out at 14 during a pivotal moment for transgender visibility, Jay contributed to broader conversations about gender identity and youth autonomy. His willingness to be visible made him a reference point for other young people questioning their gender or seeking examples of transgender individuals living openly.

Jay’s decision to pursue music on his own terms—creating art that reflects his experiences rather than exploiting his famous surname—demonstrates integrity rare among celebrity children. He has shown it’s possible to honor one’s talents while refusing to be defined by a parent’s legacy, whether positive or problematic.

Most significantly, Jay’s ongoing journey reminds us that identity development doesn’t end with coming out. His evolution from a 14-year-old making headlines to a 25-year-old independent artist reflects continuous growth, healing, and self-discovery.