Things to do

Georgia Entertainment Scene

Georgia Entertainment Scene

Joycelyn Savage calls family after two years to say she is ‘very happy’ with R. Kelly

Attorney Gerald Griggs represents the family of Joycelyn Savage.

By Melissa Ruggieri

March 6, 2019

Less than an hour after the family of Joycelyn Savage appealed to their daughter to confirm her well-being, the 23-year-old Atlanta woman spoke to her parents for the first time in two years.

"I've told you guys a million, million times, that I'm OK and I'm very happy, you know where I'm at," Joycelyn Savage said on a three-minute phone call to the office of Gerald Griggs, the Savage family’s Atlanta lawyer. Griggs posted the exchange on Twitter.

Savage, one of the alleged “sex slaves” of R. Kelly, had not contacted her family since leaving to engage in a relationship with the R&B singer.

Kelly has been charged with 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse and on Wednesday morning, he ranted in an interview on “CBS This Morning” and refuted the allegations.

Later Wednesday morning, Griggs, held a press conference in Atlanta with Savage’s parents, Timothy and Jonjelyn, and her two younger sisters, Jori, 11, and Jailyn, 18, in which they all appealed to her to get in touch.

BREAKING: 30 minutes after @AttorneyGriggs held a press conference at his office in reference to @rkelly’s interview with @CBSThisMorning, Joycelyn called her parents.

Here is video of the call where you can clearly see the conversation was scripted. #SurvivingRKelly pic.twitter.com/Qbiufg3FA3
— Dontaye Carter (@DontayeCarter) March 6, 2019

About the Author

More Stories

Keep Reading

Credit: Miguel Martinez

Dogwood Festival needs $250K by Nov. 1 or it will have to shutter

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival, which began in 1936 and is now an annual three-day shindig at Piedmont Park, needs $250,000 by Nov. 1.

Atlanta artist brings his own brand of surrealism to Dalí Museum

Greg Mike of East Atlanta’s ABV Gallery unveils a Salvador Dalí-inspired mural at The Dalí Museum in Florida, blending surrealism with his signature Pop Art style.

Fall Arts Guide 2025: 12 don’t-miss arts events in Atlanta this fall

This fall’s big arts and entertainment events feature some of the city’s most beloved recurring festivals as well as some new creative collaborations.

The Latest

What movies made in Georgia have made the most money since 2008?

‘Ride Along’ producer Will Packer promotes ‘healthy arrogance’ in new book

Check out three new reality shows with Atlanta ties

Featured

Credit: Philip Robibero / AJC

Georgia has recruited India for business. Some entrepreneurs fear new tariffs.

The yearslong effort to bring Indian goods and businesses to Georgia is now in jeopardy because of President Donald Trump's tariffs, officials and business owners say.

Insider vs. Outsider: The race for Atlanta City Council president

It’s a sharp choice for voters between Atlanta’s political establishment and change in an election for the second-most powerful position at City Hall.

Unrest among Atlanta attorneys drives unprecedented legal market growth

Leading attorneys are leaving prominent Atlanta law firms to open local offices of national and global firms at a rate not seen before.