Drea Kelly is calling for deeper conversations about how domestic violence victims are treated, particularly within the Black community. In a new interview, she questioned why certain survivors receive widespread empathy and support while others are overlooked. The former wife of R. Kelly pointed to Cassie Ventura’s case against Sean “Diddy” Combs as an example, saying that Cassie’s bravery was celebrated far more than others who have come forward with similar stories.
Cassie testified earlier this year, describing years of abuse and assault throughout her relationship with the music mogul. Her courage was widely praised across social media, but Drea believes that response revealed a painful truth. “So we need to start being real as a community. We pick and choose who we want to celebrate and advocate for, based even upon the way that they look,” she said.
Drea reflected on her own experience as a survivor, sharing that when she accused R. Kelly of physical abuse, she didn’t receive the same outpouring of support. She also mentioned Keke Palmer and the late Kim Porter, saying their experiences with abuse were not met with the same level of public compassion. According to Drea, colorism plays a major part in who the community chooses to believe and uplift. “We need to take [colorism] out of it and educate ourselves, because that blew my mind,” she added.
She went on to say that some people are too attached to the public image of entertainers accused of abuse, forgetting that victims often see a side of them the world never will. Despite her criticism, Drea expressed admiration for Cassie’s courage, noting that all victims deserve recognition and support.
Cassie’s lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, later praised her strength, saying she continues to inspire others as she works toward healing after Diddy’s recent sentencing.
