R & B singer R. Kelly leaves the Cook County criminal courthouse after a status hearing on child pornography charges in Chicago in this May 18, 2007 file photo.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, May 22 (Xinhuanet) -- A former friend of the alleged victim in the R. Kelly child pornography trial has testified that it is her friend and R&B singer in the sex video, according to U.S. media reports Thursday.

    Simha Jamison, now 24, said Wednesday during cross-examination on trial in Chicago that she recognized the girl in the tape from a mullet haircut they both had as youngsters.

    The R&B superstar is accused of videotaping himself having sex with a girl as young as 13. His attorneys have said Kelly is not on the tape. The alleged victim, who is now 23, also denies she's the person in the video.

    Jamison confirmed that the alleged victim was her best friend for about 10 years until their junior year in high school — and that she knows her friend's face quite well.

    She also testified that she and her friend visited Kelly, 41 now, at his recording studio and at a Chicago basketball court dozens of times, starting when they were around the age of 12.

    She said Kelly frequently gave her former friend money from 100 U.S. dollars to 500 dollars and that the girl had a black Chrysler PT Cruiser the summer before her sophomore year of high school.

    An aunt and an uncle of the alleged victim on Wednesday also identified the female on the tape as their niece.

    The Kelly's attorney Sam Adam Jr. defended Wednesday that Kelly's image may be computer-generated.

    "Something could have been done to put a different head on that body," Adam said. He also referred to movies where characters had been digitally altered.

    Kelly, who has pleaded not guilty, faces up to 15 years if convicted.

    (Agencies)

R&B singer R. Kelly allowed to stay free on bond

    BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- A judge on Friday allowed R&B singer R. Kelly to remain free on bond pending his trial on child pornography charges in spite of his missed court appearance this week, media reported Saturday.

    Judge Vincent Gaughan of the Cook County District Court ruled that the 40-year-old Grammy winner could remain free on 750,000-U.S.-dollar bond and thereby he can continue on his 45-city road show. Full story

R. Kelly in child pornography case may be arrested 

    BEIJING, Dec. 20(Xinhuanet) -- Prosecutors in Chicago are seeking to have R. Kelly arrested after he failed to show for a hearing in his criminal court case, media report Thursday.

    The 40-year-old R&B singer, who is in the middle of a 45-city tour, faces child pornography charges for allegedly videotaping sex acts with a young teenage girl. He has pleaded not guilty. Full story

Contract or jealousy? Kelly drops Ne-Yo from tour

    BEIJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- Just one week into R. Kelly's Double Up tour with Keyshia Cole and J. Holiday, R&B singer Ne-Yo has been dropped as the opening act, his label confirmed.

    "I am disappointed that I won't be able to perform for my fans," the singer said in a statement from Def Jam. "I love being on stage in front of fans because of the immediate feedback you get. You know right away if they are feeling you; and they were really feeling our show."  Full story

R. Kelly to start U.S. concert tour next month

    BEIJING, Oct. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- R. Kelly, American urban R&B singer and songwriter, revealed he'll start his national concert tour with an upcoming performance on Nov. 14 in Columbus, Georgia, media reports said Wednesday.

    The tour in support of his latest album "Double Up" is tentatively set to make stops in a dozen U.S. cities. Full story

R&B singer Kelly child pornography trial Sept. 17

    BEIJING, Aug. 2 (Xinhuanet) -- Five years after child pornography accusations were first made, Grammy Award-winning R&B singer R Kelly will go on trial Sept. 17, prosecutors said Wednesday.

    Kelly, 40, whose real name is Robert Kelly, faces up to 15 years in jail if convicted of videotaping himself having sex with an underage girl. Prosecutors have said the girl could have been as young as 13. Full story