Kelly’s victims of abuse were divided in their opinion over his 30-year sentence, but said they were “grateful” that the R&B singer was “gone and will stay away”.
Speaking outside court after the verdict, two women, who remained anonymous while reading their victim impact statements to the court, said they were “proud” of each other.
Kelly was sentenced after being convicted in September last year on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking.
The singer was branded as “the variegated pipe of R&B” by a victim who used the pseudonym “Angela”, who went on to explain his “regrettable and unexplained” abuse during her statement.
She told reporters: “I started this journey 30 years ago, I was 14 years old when I met Robert Sylvester Kelly.
“There was not a day in my life until this moment that I actually believed that the legal system for black and colored girls would come through.
“I am very proud of my legal system here, very proud of my fellow survivors and very satisfied with the result.
“Thirty years (is how long) that he did it and 30 years is what he got.”
Asked how she feels now that the former 90s superstar has been sentenced, she replied “overwhelmed”.
Lizzette Martinez, who also read an impact statement in court under the pseudonym Jane Doe, said she was satisfied with the sentence, but “personally did not think it was enough”.
“Today has been a very special but difficult day for us,” she said.
“It happened to me a very long time ago, I was 17 of them and I am 45 today.
“I never thought I would see how he is held accountable, the horrible things he did to children.
“I do not know what else to say, except that I am grateful.
“I am grateful that Robert Sylvester Kelly is gone and will stay away and no one else will be harmed.
Asked if 30 years is a long enough sentence, Ms Martinez replied: “I personally do not think it is enough, but I am satisfied with it.”