Who's Watching Shorty?: Reclaiming Myself from the Shame of R. Kelly’s Abuse

by Reshona Landfair

Who’s Watching Shorty? is a fearless, timely memoir about one of the most high-profile cases of a generation. Reshona Landfair—known as “Jane Doe” when she testified at R. Kelly’s trial—was the 14-year-old-girl in the child pornography video that ultimately led to racketeering and sex-trafficking convictions and a 30-year prison sentence for the R&B superstar. No one in Landfair’s world was looking out for her interests or trying to protect her from someone who was a known (or at least rumored) predator. The people who should have stood up for her—from her family to music business executives to social services to law enforcement—all looked the other way, blinded by his fame and celebrity. That's the story that hasn’t been told, and which Reshona is finally ready to recount, in her own words.
 
What was it like to be a young teenager, emotionally still a child, and be caught up in his orbit? Why did she believe he loved her, despite how badly he treated her? Why did she keep his secrets for so long? This book is an insider’s view from the girl, now woman, that R. Kelly called his “goddaughter,” the man to whom she lost her virginity, her voice, her freedom, and nearly her life, in the years he had her under his perverse control.
 
A deeply personal and ultimately empowering memoir, Who’s Watching Shorty? is more than a story of bravery; it’s a hard-hitting reminder to always look after those you love. Jane Doe is no longer a nameless plaintiff on a long court document. Jane Doe is Reshona Landfair, a champion of victims of abuse and coercion, a woman whose fearless voice and transformative words will provide courage for generations to come.

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography Memoir

272 pages, Hardcover

Published February 3, 2026

About the author

Reshona Landfair was the face of of 4 The Cause, a four-person musical group signed to RCA/BMG from 1994-2000. More recently, Reshona has worked in community health within the Chicago public school system and is the founder of Project Refine, a mentor program for young women.

Reviews

[Talese Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listed to the audiobook which I feel did the story justice. At times, you could even hear her struggling to get out the words. There were moments where I had to pause and not because it was bad, but because it was painfully real. As a survivor of domestic abuse, grooming, and childhood sexual abuse, a lot of this hit very close to home. Hearing it triggered some things in me that I also thought were buried, further proving her point of how hard it is to even share this.

Survivors are often met with jokes, judgment, shame, and opinions especially when the abuse happened in childhood, when there was no power, no choice, and no understanding of what was being done to them.

It’s important to remember that manipulation and brainwashing don’t end when the abuse ends. It follow you into adulthood, shapes your thoughts, your fears, and the way you move through the world. To speak openly about that, knowing how cruel and dismissive people can be, takes real strength.

That shame should never belong to survivors. This story was told so well that I was reminded of this.
It’s a triggering story, but it really dives deep into the mind of those who were abused and their struggles of the aftermath. I recommend you listen to it with care.

[Ebony | ebonylovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart broke for Reshona. I opted for the audio and I felt her emotions. It hurts my heart that so many adults were complicit/looked the other way as she was subjected to over a decade of sexual, mental, emotional and physical abuse.

I pray that this helps with her healing journey. I would absolutely recommend but take your time, this is a heavy one.

[Lolyndsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the eARC.

This book is not for the weak. It is raw, it is painful, it is devastating. What Reshona endured at the hands of a grown man is no less than horrifying. I don’t have words to do it justice, nor do I feel like I can give it an appropriate rating. Reshona put it all out there for her readers, she didn’t hold back. It’s so devastatingly traumatic.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m proud of her. I hope she truly can find healing and peace.

[Book Reviews by Tara aka Queen of Memoirs · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

I’ve read three books written by survivors of R. Kelly. This one is for sure the most impactful. The events documented in this book are mind blowing. Better yet, they are down right disturbing! I commend Reshona for being so brave, open and brutally honest in telling her truth. Believe me when I say she left no stone unturned in this memoir.

When I was gifted this book by the publisher I didn’t know who Reshona Landfair was. It was obvious from the title she was a R. Kelly survivor. I just didn’t know which one. Then I read the Preface and it all became clear.

Reshona Landfair is the 14-year-old girl from the infamous child p*rn *video that became central evidence in R. Kelly’s racketeering and sex-trafficking court cases. She was one of the key witnesses in the trial that led to R. Kelly’s convictions. For many years she was known only as “Jane Doe,” but in this memoir she removes the veil and tells her story in her own name. This is her truth, in her words and in her voice.

Who’s Watching Shorty? is a deeply emotional, heart wrenching, superbly written, hard to put down memoir. Reading this book felt like Reshona was sitting across from me telling me her story. The delivery was smooth, conversational, almost as if she was speaking from her diary. Her story pulled at my heartstrings from the very beginning to the heartbreaking end.

I finished this book with a complete understanding of how this young girl was manipulated and abused by the man she trusted. I felt her pain and confusion. Hearing her story allowed me to understand the hurt and devastation Reshona and her family has carried all of these years.

This memoir offers a rare look at how abuse reshapes a child’s sense of identity, and self-worth. It’s the ultimate case study for how child predators lure victims into their devastating web.

One of the most eye-opening aspects of the story is how clearly Reshona shows the grooming process. She does an amazing job of capturing how R. Kelly used affection, validation, and dependency, to manipulate her young mind, making it difficult for her to recognize what was happening in real time.

I was also struck by how Reshona necessarily, yet compassionately holds her parents and her Aunt Sparkle accountable for their roles in this tragedy. The way in which R. Kelly managed to infiltrate not just her life, but the lives of her entire family was shocking. I believe Reshona’s Aunt Sparkle played a huge part in feeding Reshona to the wolf. Something definitely was not right with Sparkle’s actions, and Reshona payed a life altering price for Sparkle’s deceitful decisions.

This book allowed Reshona to publicly address the adults who made fun of the infamous video that clearly shows her, a child, being victimized and abused by a predator. She describes how painful it was seeing comedy skits performed by people like Dave Chappell. She admits that no one seemed to take her, a child, into consideration while making fun of R. Kelly. Her most embarrassing moment was put on display for entertainment and laughs. I’m glad this book will now add a sense of humanity to the conversation in reference to that video tape.

What I appreciate most about this book is that it doesn’t just tell us about Reshona’s pain, it also tells us about her victory. It documents the strength it took for her to get her life back. Although Reshona was victimized and let down by numerous adults, she was determined to right the wrongs of her past. As an adult she took control of her life and did something she never thought she would ever have the courage to do…testify against R. Kelly.

This book is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand why victims may return to abusive relationships. It’s an emotional read, so I took my time with it. It answered all the questions I had pertaining to that disturbing 2002 video. I wanted to know how could something like this happen in plain sight? Where were her parents? Why did she deny being in the tape? She answered every one of my questions plus so many more. This book is deep. Reshona gives it to us straight no chaser. It is raw and uncut.

I highly recommend adding this one to your TBR. It is definitely a must read.

Publication date February 3, 2026

Oh and in case you're wondering if she discuss Aaliyah in the book, the answer is no. She quickly mentioned her name once or twice but it was nothing in depth. I greatly appreciate and respect her for making that decision.

Note: This book was gifted to me by the publisher Legacy Lit in exchange for an honest review.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hate that this is the story of so many women. And i wish more men spoke up about their own abuse without the threat of being embarrassed, laughed at, or shamed by their peers. Whether the perpetrator was famous or not, the effects are the same.

I used to “step in the name of love,” but I never considered myself a true fan of R Kelly. He had some bops, sure, but never anything to be excited about.

I was 13 when Reshona’s case went to trial. From my recollection, I remember being disgusted with R Kelly. If I remember correctly, I remember feeling bad for the girl being urinated on. I couldn’t understand how she could have possibly gotten herself in that position. Where were her parents? Because certainly my daddy wouldn’t allow that. Why did her daddy, her hero, allow that?

When the case was over, I, too, was disgusted at the fact that r Kelly got off Scott free and Reshona and her family didn’t speak up. He bought them out and they allowed it as far as I was concerned.

I was in my mid-twenties when “surviving r Kelly” came out. I binged it. Learned of R Kelly’s indiscretions. I contemplated “muting” r Kelly because that’s what everyone else was doing. But you can’t truly “mute” anyone. He, in fact, wrote one of my favorite songs by Michael Jackson “You Are Not Alone.” You can’t mute a man who has imbedded himself in each and every corner of the music industry (this goes for many people. Not just r Kelly). So I listen to “You Are Not Alone” offline so as not to give him any streaming dollars.

N E Wayyyyyyyy. During the first “surviving r Kelly” docuseries, I finally understood what happened to Aaliyah. And it hurt me that her story couldn’t be told. And to this day none of the people who were supposed to protect her speak. Disgusting.

When the docuseries dropped, I was reminded of “the girl who was urinated on.” (I didn’t know her name at the time, so she was always anonymous to me.) I wondered how she was doing. Had she healed from that situation? Was it worth it for her parents to get paid off? I felt bad for her.

As years went on, “surviving r Kelly” pt 2 dropped. I couldn’t finish it. But my mind went back to that 14 year old girl who was well into adulthood by then. Always wondering about her. Always feeling bad for her. Disgusted at the adults at the time and even now who still blame that 14 year old girl. I always wondered about her. Always wondered how that impacted her mental health. Identifying with her in some ways. Always wondering.

Now, Reshona has spoken her truth. I couldn’t be any more proud of her. Yes, we have the women who spoke their truth in the “surviving r Kelly” docs. No story is more important than any other, but I always felt that Aaliyah & Reshona deserved to have their stories told. Aaliyah’s story was forever silenced in 2001. Her family still dont speak up for her. Still don’t protect her. They failed her. Each and everyone of them. But Reshona? Her parents apologized to her. They admitted that they failed her and asked for her forgiveness. Her family spoke up for her, whether it’s considered “too late” or not. Her family tried protecting her in the midst of it. Aunt sparkle had good intentions with calling CPS. I understand everyone’s disdain, but if you compare and contrast, no one else tried to protect Reshona. I have other thoughts about Aunt Sparkle, but I will admit that she at least TRIED to protect her niece.

I applaud you, Reshona, for telling your story. For healing. For speaking up for what’s right & what’s wrong. For not going public until you were ready. Your silence was strength. Your book is strength. It gives hope.

I wish I could give Reshona a hug for numerous reasons.

[Ivoree Malcom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who’s Watching Shorty by Reshona Landfair is a heavy, necessary read. This memoir is an account of the author’s abusive connection with R. Kelly & her firsthand experience as the Jane Doe in his 2008 trial. The sharing of her perspective takes a level of bravery & candor that can’t be overstated. Landfair’s story is raw, painful, & riddled with abuse, manipulation, & the long-term damage that comes from adults choosing convenience, access, or money over protection. The book powerfully reinforces one uncomfortable truth: turning a blind eye never really helps anybody, fr fr.

That said, my main disappointment lies in what the author skirts around. There’s minimal accountability given to the role her family played in her proximity to Kelly. No matter how it’s framed, her access to him stemmed from adults chasing clout, glitz, & proximity to fame. Even if the abuse wasn’t known initially, once it was known, the silence was compensated—financially & otherwise. That complicates the narrative in a way the book doesn’t fully reckon with. There’s also a broader conversation missing about victims who stay not solely out of fear, but because leaving threatens financial stability—at some point blurring the line between coercion & choice. That’s uncomfortable to say, & I know not everyone is ready for that convo. Please know that I am referring to once she became an adult.

Another throughline that’s impossible to ignore is the parallel between Landfair’s story & another well-known singer: relatives acting as gatekeepers who effectively delivered young girls to predatory power structures. In this case, Landfair’s aunt, Sparkle, served as that access point. For that, she is culpable too—just as much as Kelly, in my opinion. Silence, facilitation, & benefiting from abuse are not neutral acts.

Which let me say this, sis seemed like she had more smoke for Sparkle than her own parents, which is bizarre to me. Plus I don't like the narrative that Landfair attempts to paint about her fam being torn apart by the revelation of her abuse. The fracture had less to do with her abuse & more to do with who among the fam was willing to take the payoff or be aligned with someone of Kelly's celebrity stature.

All in all, Who’s Watching Shorty is important, painful, & worth reading, even with its omissions. I truly hope this memoir provides the author with the healing she needs. Accountability & compassion can—& should—exist in the same space.

*I received an advance review copy for free & I am leaving this review voluntarily.*

#ThankGodForARCs

[TOYA · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I highly recommend the audiobook for Who’s Watching Shorty? and suggest going into it with generative, compassionate listening. If someone approaches this story simply looking to critique, debunk, or judge, this may not be the book for them. This is a story that asks for humanity and care.
I would give this book five stars regardless, simply for the courage it took for Reshona Landfair to tell her story in her own time and in her own way. Too often survivors are told their timing is “too late” or questioned about what might have happened had they spoken sooner. That line of thinking overlooks a fundamental truth: it is her story, her healing, and her decision when and how to share it. For that alone, she deserves respect.
What stands out is the balance of transparency and dignity. She shares enough to paint a clear picture while maintaining her self-respect and refusing to sensationalize her pain. She does not need to be graphic to be honest. That restraint actually strengthens the narrative and preserves her humanity throughout.
This book also reads as an example of narrative reclamation. For readers who have experienced similar harm, there is a familiarity that can help loosen the grip of shame. It reinforces an important truth: abuse is something that happened to someone, not something that defines them. The abuser carries responsibility for the harm. The survivor carries the work of healing, but not the shame.
What I appreciated most is that this is not a story of perfection or instant triumph. It is a story of survival, dignity, and reclaiming power over time. Being hurt did not mean staying broken. Being knocked down did not mean staying out. There is strength in that kind of testimony.
I read this book to support the telling of stories like this...stories that carry anthropology, humanity, and the pursuit of dignity after harm. Sharing one’s truth can be a form of restoration, whether emotional, spiritual, or even financial. Whatever the author’s intentions were in telling this story, I hope they were met. Her voice adds to a larger understanding of resilience, accountability, and what it means to reclaim oneself.

[Quira]

The sick perversion from Robert Kelly went on entirely too long. People, of course, disgustingly like to blame the victims for “being fast”, looking for fame, “taunting him”. It was Robert and the adults enabling him who let these atrocities go on for decades. The fact that I remember being a young Black child hearing his music at every cookout, wedding, family reunion, school event “I Believe I Can Fly”, and church events (because he was able to do a few gospel songs to “redeem” himself. I remember turning 14 and hearing jokes from grown folks saying I was the prime age for R. Kelly, as if it was funny. The jokes were so normal and embedded into our culture. This is why I was anticipating hearing from Reshona Landfair because it was her who was the butt of these sick jokes that carried on for years. While he got to tap dance (or should I say STEP) his way out of trouble and onto the charts, into people’s heart under the guise of “being changed”, Reshona was being groomed, manipulated, sexually assaulted, and abused. They painted her to be a harlot and not what she was, A CHILD!!! Black girls rarely get protection, and when it came to question why she didn’t say anything before they acted like she was some mastermind. Meanwhile she was a naive teenager without a full high school education, who grew up in the church with rules saying always respect your elders. I could go deeper on that last part but won’t here. What I will say is I applaud Reshona for reclaiming her voice, her likeness, her name, and childhood. At so many parts I had to pause reading because it was so sick what was being done in reference to her and others. It’s the gut churning fact that she could have said more and detailed, but didn’t so it’s not more that cycles and follows her. I hope she does not feel ashamed for speaking her truth, and that this encourages more people with stories similar to hers to speak. When that time comes we need to hush and listen.

No more of that “Well his music is timeless…Separate the art from the artist” when it is even more heavily documented that Robert is a predator, and many songs are based around things he did to his victims.

[Amber Del Rocco · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW - where do I even begin??? Rarely am I ever speechless but this book hit different!!! Reshona’s testimony is equal parts powerful, introspective, and utterly devastating. So much was taken from her yet she’s still standing, still surviving, and still thriving. This is NOT an easy read by any means, yet I found myself unable to put the book down. Landfair’s voice is clear, genuine, and raw out the gate. She tells it to the reader straight no chaser while managing to take accountability for her role in the way that things played out (even though none of this was ever her fault). Some scenes made me sick to my stomach because I couldn’t fathom for the life of me why a grown a** man, let alone a public figure would prey on such an innocent and beautiful soul such as Reshona. We see her light dimmed in real time and it’s gut wrenching as a reader because you want nothing more than to stop the runaway freight train in its tracks. On the other hand, those same scenes made me stop and reflect about how terrified (and cornered) she must have felt in those moments along with how I was myself as a teenager and how I might have responded if that were my daughter caught in the clutches of a serial predator. I found myself snapping pictures of some of the passages in the book because they spoke to me on a spiritual level. God is all up and down this book. The writing leaps off the page and etches itself into every fiber (and beat) of your heart. For a long time, I have prayed that Reshona would come forward and I’m so glad that she finally did. I see you. I love you. And I believe you sis. 🫶🏽 I pray that the rest of her life is the best of her life and that this traumatic period in her life no longer haunts her.

Signed,
A Black Woman Rooting For You 🤎

[Jazisunray Skillern · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Who’s Watching Shorty?” by Reshona Landfair is a courageous and profoundly moving memoir that sheds light on a story too long kept in the shadows. Known to many as “Jane Doe,” Landfair bravely steps forward with her real name and her truth, recounting her harrowing experiences as the young survivor at the center of the R. Kelly case.

With unflinching honesty and emotional depth, Landfair details not only the trauma she endured but also the collective failure of those who should have protected her. Her account is both a personal reckoning and a powerful indictment of the systems and individuals who allowed fame to overshadow justice and basic human decency.

Landfair’s voice is both vulnerable and resilient as she explores the complexities of her relationship with her abuser, the reasons she kept silent, and her long journey toward reclaiming her identity and her strength.

This book is more than a memoir—it is a clarion call for accountability and compassion. Landfair’s story will resonate deeply with survivors and advocates, but it also serves as a necessary reminder for all of us to protect and believe those most at risk. “Who’s Watching Shorty?” is an important, timely, and inspiring testament to the power of survival and the necessity of speaking out.

Thank you, Reshonda Landfair, NetGalley, and Grand Central Publishing, for the ARC read.

[Amanda Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it start to finish in a single day

This was the most honest, heartfelt, and vulnerable memoir of sexual trauma that I have ever read. Reshona was not afraid to look in the mirror. She did not make excuses for the people who were supposed to protect her, but she also did not place more shame or blame. Instead she confronted them as human beings. She took a hard look at her own soul and found reckoning and I believe personal redemption. Reshona, you are an inspiration. You are brave and I (as a victim of early sexual exploitation myself) am so proud of you for telling your story so honestly. I read the Kindle copy. I will also go into a local store and buy copy to keep on my shelf. Well done, friend....very well done.

[Queen Brit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so raw and real! Had me in tears quite a few times! Thank you for your story Reshona! Your strength and bravery is going to help so many women. As much as I thought I had healed from my past trauma , somehow your story broke my heart and triggered me but then healed me a little more than I was before! I’ve never felt so seen and understood as it relates to older men and the trauma being something that sticks with you through adulthood and how it also can effect how you grow into being a woman and how you love and trust others. Everyone failed you yet you still prevailed and you have turned your trauma into your power! You go girl!!!!

[Tangela · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ✨- Shout out to Reshona Landfair for being brave enough to tell her story. Robert Sylvester Kelly is exactly where he needs to be. And this comes from a former fan of his. That tape from 2002 has always haunted me because I was curious as to what the little girl in the video was going through. While I throw blame at her parents, her aunt, Sparkle had a lot to do with it as well. She is not absolved for what happened to her niece. But clearly her parents could’ve done more. I’m so glad she found the courage to tell her story.

Side note: Reshona has a very soothing voice. She would make a great narrator of books.

[Homegirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a raw and honest account of a girl who endured years of abuse and control at the hands of R.Kelly. I’ll always remember how her abuse was parodied on The Chappelle Show, which shows how little respect society has for black girls. The book was at times so painful for me to read, I had to put it down and pick it up later. I can only imagine how painful it was for the author to relive it while telling it. The author is a survivor.

[Liana Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reshona shares her story with honesty and courage. Hearing her reclaim her voice after so many years is deeply moving and powerful. Her journey reflects resilience, growth, and transformation - not just as an individual, but as a woman and a mother. It’s inspiring to witness how strength can evolve into wisdom, and how truth, when spoken boldly, can become a source of healing.

Thank you for sharing your story, Reshona!

[Danisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glad she is finally able to tell the story her way in her true life experience. It is not for the weak especially listening to the audible. This shows bravery and the start of a more healthy healing journey to get through her past trauma.

[Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook for this. The same as I do for most memoirs.

This was sad and tragic. You can hear the pain in her voice at times. I’m glad she finally chose to speak up. It takes a lot of courage when the world is watching.

[Rochelle Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This touches my soul

It’s a travesty what she had to endure had to meaning she was a child and no one reached out to help her I’m sad that this happened but glad she has the strength to move on and grow this could been any of us there before the grace of God go i

[Dayn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an extremely tough read. I commend Reshona for telling her story and I hope it serves as a reminder for everyone to not let what happened to you define you.

[Nurse Bookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review to come, but for now the only thing I can say is that Regina Landfair is extremely brave for telling her story. This was so heartbreaking.

[Aniyasreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This audiobook truly broke my heart. I am happy Reshona shared her story with us I know it took so much to write this book. I am praying for her continued peace and healing.

[Dria Onamission · Rating 3 out of 5]

Long overdue story and just as tragic as I anticipated.

[Korisia Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

First five star read of the year. I am so proud of the woman she has become and her ability to tell her story so authentically. I pray that we can learn from her experience and protect our babies

[Angelica · Rating 4 out of 5]

every adult failed Reshona in some way or another

[Deandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a heartbreaking, brave, vulnerable memoir. Reshona was failed by so many, but how inspiring to see her building her life back up and sharing her story.

[Sarah Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish this story had been written years ago, but I'm glad it's finally being shared. Absolutely heartbreaking how many people were aware of this (including the parents), but kept silent.