Jaya Kelly – Bio, Age, Career, & Life After Becoming Transgender

“Nature made a mistake, which I have corrected.” – Christine Jorgensen.

Jaya Kelly, you may have heard the name in the music industry. He is the celebrity child. As he is the child of famous American stars R. Kelly and Andrea Lee, Jaya is immensely growing in popularity and stature. With his musical career, do you know that Jaya Kelly is also in the limelight because of his transgender identity at the age of 14?

But do you know how this American starkid got introduced to music? Do you know why Kelly keeps hitting the headlines? If not, then this article is just for you. It would provide a detailed overview of the entire life story of this personality till now. Let’s explore:

An Introduction To The Star

Jaya Kelly, also known as Jaah Kelly, is an emerging American singer and songwriter. He has been constantly delivering as a music artist, but that is not the only thing for which he is famous. His gender and sexuality are also driving forces when it comes to the increased fame of this individual, which we shall talk about later in this article.

To gain a deeper insight into the star kid’s passion for music and his overall journey, it’s essential to look at the formative years of his life. Let’s take a look.

The Summary Table

Must-know facts about Jaya Kelly
Real Name	Jaya Kelly (Now Jaah Kelly)
Nickname	Jay
Date of Birth	26 November 2000
Birth Place	Los Angeles, California
Age	25 (as of March 2025)
Gender	Trans
Sexuality	Queer
Zodiac Sign	Sagittarius
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	Afro American
Religion	Christianity
Parents	Robert Sylvester Kelly (Father) & Andrea Lee (Mother)
Siblings	2, Joann (sister), Robert Jr. (Brother)
Schooling	Clinton School in New York
Relationship Status	Single
Profession	Singer and songwriter
Net Worth	Between $300,000 and $500,000 (estimated)
Source of earning	Music career

The Early Days of Jaya

Jaya Kelly was born on November 26, 2000, in Los Angeles, California. He was born to well-known American R&B artist R. Kelly and his spouse, the celebrated American choreographer and dancer Andrea Lee. Coming from a racially diverse family, the American star child has an Afro-American heritage.

Jaya’s early years were quite troubled, largely due to his parents not getting along well. Nevertheless, the Starkid did receive a love for music from his dad. We will examine his musical pursuits soon, but first, let’s discuss his education.

The Family Tree

The Learning Experience

Although limited information exists regarding the American celebrity’s education, some reports suggest that Jaya attended Clinton School in New York for his schooling. He completed his graduation in 2024. Additionally, the Starkid was a member of the Varsity Basketball team at his school.

Expert Journey Into Music

Jaya Kelly, as previously noted, is a singer and songwriter who is steadily rising in the ranks. His passion for music originated from his father, R. Kelly, who is an iconic R&B music artist. The American Starkid has created and performed many songs that have gained significant popularity.

Jaah’s talent and enthusiasm as a vocalist led him to start his musical journey when he was only 13 years old. He began performing under the name “Jaah Baby.” Every one of his tracks can be streamed on SoundCloud.

Here is a list of some of the most popular songs by this Starkid.

• Fall Into 
• Reflection
• Gentle 
• Subtle 
• No Regards 
• Lost It 
• Reflection (Freestyle) 
• Stalling ft. Kel 
• Focus ft. Buku
• No Regards ft. Kyd Taurian

The Gender Constraints

This is yet another reason why Jaya Kelly is widely discussed. This is due to his gender and sexual preference. Frequently discussed, this is a rather intriguing subject. Let’s examine this more closely.

Jaya, who was born female, found that he is attracted to the same sex. This, along with his tomboyish personality, led to significant criticism and trolling during his time in school. However, disturbed by the trolls, he chose to alter his gender and transition into a trans man. He became transgender at the age of 14. He changed his name from Jaya Kelly to Jaah Kelly.

Regrettably, circumstances deteriorated so much that even his father, R. Kelly, disapproved of his choice. It was when his mother backed his choice that he ultimately discovered a foundation to depend on. Jaya mentioned in an interview that his mother, Andrea, was his constant support during this time of uncovering his true self. He said, 

“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.”

About Jaya Kelly’s Looks & Appearance

Take a look at his look and appearance:

Height	172 cm
Weight	123 pounds
Hair Type	Curly Hair
Hair Color	Black
Eye Color	Black
Casual Outfits	Shirt, jeans, trousers, wool sweater, Moschino, Wild and Lethal Shorts,
Typical Accessories	Silver Chain, shoes like Rick Owens

About Jaya Kelly’s Parents

Robert Sylvester Kelly, also known as R. Kelly, married Andrea Lee in 1996. Andrea was R. Kelly’s second ex-wife. Both have two daughters, Joann and Jaah, and a son, Robert Jr. Andrea Kelly was a backup dancer for R. Kelly before their marriage. They divorced in 2009.

However, R. Kelly has been involved in several high-profile criminal cases and lawsuits, including racketeering and sex trafficking, child sexual abuse and child pornography, prostitution, bribery, conspiring to intimidate victims, and concealing evidence.

When Jaya Kelly announced his transgender identity and changed his name to Jaah Kelly, his father, R. Kelly, didn’t even support him and denied accepting his current gender. However, his mother, Andrea Lee, truly supports him and stands by him in his corner in struggling to career journey.

About Jaya Kelly’s Current Life

At 25 years old, Jaya Kelly keeps evolving as an artist and individual. He is investigating fresh musical genres and working with other artists to connect with a wider audience through his music and message. His presence on social media enables them to engage with fans and foster a community that appreciates integrity and creativity. 

Considering the future, Jaah seems to have a bright outlook, with numerous industry professionals appreciating his distinctive sound and authentic musical style. As Jaah evolves in his artistry and profession, he will be expected to emerge as an even more influential presence in music and advocacy, perpetually motivating others through his narrative of change and genuineness.

Challenges and Resilience

Being raised in the spotlight is always challenging, particularly when your dad’s name is associated with significant controversies. Jaya Kelly has encountered numerous obstacles, such as media scrutiny, family issues, and personal battles with mental health, including depression.

But despite all of these, Jaya has demonstrated remarkable strength and resilience. He just discovered how to concentrate on the development and communicate through music and activism.

What is Jaya Kelly’s Net Worth?

Despite being early in their career, Jaya Kelly has accumulated an estimated net worth of approximately $300,000. This stems from their role as a singer and songwriter, encompassing music releases and live shows. This advancement emphasizes that dedication and remaining authentic can result in both personal and career accomplishments, even in the face of challenges.

Jaya’s financial narrative is another aspect of their journey, highlighting how they are creating an independent future.

Final Words

Jaya Kelly’s life has been a blend of ups and downs. From being a closeted personality to opening up and finally expressing his true self in front of the world, he has indeed come a long way. His blooming career as a music artist is a testament to the hurdles that he had to face.

Jaya’s mother, Andrea, has been a crucial and pivotal figure in his life. He helped him in times of distress, being the beacon of hope for him. Thus, the star kid is forever grateful to her. With that being said, the story of Jaya comes to an end.

Frequently Asked Questions