Joycelyn Savage, a metro Atlanta native, has been charged after she reportedly attacked Azriel Clary on Wednesday at R. Kelly’s Trump Tower condo. The women have both referred to themselves as Kelly’s girlfriends in the past.
Savage, 24, turned herself in to authorities Wednesday evening and is charged with one count of misdemeanor domestic battery causing bodily harm, the Chicago Police Department told the Chicago Sun-Times. Clary, 22, was transported to a hospital Wednesday after the brawl broke out. Savage is due in court Feb. 6.
The battery occurred about 2:10 p.m. Wednesday at Kelly’s Trump Tower condo, where both women have lived before and after the embattled singer faced 10 counts of sexual abuse charges. He has been held without bond at the Metropolitan Correctional Center since being charged. The incident occurred on the musician’s 53rd birthday.
»MORE: R. Kelly behind bars awaiting trial on his 53rd birthday
The fight began as a verbal altercation between Clary and Savage, according to police.
"The female victim and the 24-year-old female offender were engaged in a physical altercation until separated by unknown individuals at the scene. The offender fled and is not in custody at this time," a Chicago Police Department statement read Wednesday before Savage was charged. "The 22-year-old female victim was transported to Northwestern Hospital in good condition."
The dispute was recorded in a series of videos posted to Instagram, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Some social media pages have posted the clips, which are no longer available on Instagram. Clary goes on to make the damaging claim that Savage was “sleeping” with her when she was a minor.
Clary can be seen angrily confronting Savage before a scuffle broke out between the two.
The video shows Clary stating she’d like to file charges against Savage. The footage also shows Clary speaking with CPD.
“She came to me and attacked me and I had to defend myself,” Clary told police, alleging that Savage hit her with her hands and her phone and tried to kick her, as well.
Clary later calls out Kelly in the Instagram Live.
“Rob has been lying to all y’all…and he has people like me lying for him.”
Clary and Savage were a part of the controversial, exclusive Gayle King interview with Kelly last year. The interview is now infamous because Kelly got enraged about the accusations against him and reacted physically during the interview. King later told an interviewer she thought the singer might hit her.
During the interview, Savage and Clary defended Kelly. Savage told King that her parents, who still live in metro Atlanta, were merely attempting to blackmail Kelly, disputing the abuse many report they both have endured.
»RELATED: In interview, Joycelyn Savage, Azriel Clary say parents wanted money from R. Kelly
“Well, both our parents, both our parents are basically out here trying to get money and scam, because they didn't agree on what happened, you know, with music or whatever it could be. And they’re just very upset,” Savage said.
Police are investigating the incident Wednesday as battery.
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