Untangling Russell Simmons's Painful Family Feud
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On June 19, 2023, one day after Father's Day, Def Jam Recordings co-founder Russell Simmons shared an Instagram Story that appeared to be targeted at his ex-wife Kimora Lee Simmons. The post read, "Stop telling fathers they should have fought harder to see their children & start asking mothers why he had to fight at all."
Russell provided little context for his post, but within hours Kimora Lee Simmons hit back with her own response.
What did Kimora Lee Simmons say about Russell Simmons?
In a series of Instagram Stories, Kimora laid out her case against Russell, accusing her ex of bullying her and their children, Ming Lee, 23, and Aoki Lee, 20.
"I'm so sorry to have to do this," Kimora wrote. "But this man has been threatening my kids' lives. I'm hearing so much more now. We won't be bullied threatened or afraid."
She continued, "Leave my kids alone. This narrative of attacking the only caregiver, the only parent in the home with the kids, the mom, AND the kids for one's own shortcomings and embarrassments is dead. Dead. Dead."
Kimora concluded by adding that she believes Russell treats women badly in general. "The same abusive ish," she wrote. "This is how you manouver [sic] with the women all around you. Your threats and lies and intimidation manouvers [sic] and tactics are sad. Stop it please. Your own flesh and blood? Enough is enough."
Kimora Lee Simmons also went on Instagram live (via Forbes), saying that her family hasn't spoken to her ex in “going on years" and calling him “delusional” for posting their children as if there weren't serious problems between them.
An important piece of the backstory: Russell Simmons sued Kimora Lee Simmons and her current husband, former Goldman Sachs banker Tim Leissner in 2021, accusing them of fraud. Kimora Lee Simmons countersued later that year and a judge ruled in her favor, ordering her ex to pay her $100,000.
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What did Russell Simmons's daughter Aoki say about him?
Aoki Simmons, a recent Harvard graduate, shared her own experiences with her dad. After posting a video of Russell appearing to yell at her via FaceTime (the clip didn't include audio), Aoki wrote, "This is not someone who will accept help. This is just one screen recording [...] sorry I don’t always remember to press 'record' when he calls my friends, my boyfriend, anyone, to get a chance to threaten and curse and go crazy."
She then shared what appeared to be text messages from her father saying that her mother "has stolen money and the love of my kids as she promised." Aoki was quick to defend her mom, writing, "I'll never speak to you until you DIE. Don't ever say that again."
She also revealed in a lengthy message to her father: "Everytime [sic] I spoke to you you would yell and scream about a legal situation that I can't even respond to because I AM NOT INVOLVED, I am your child, not your lawyer your ex wife any of it. I can do nothing. You yell at me like it's my fault."
Aoki separately shared a number of posts from her social media in which she celebrated her dad alongside the caption, "I have always shown up for my dad as a daughter can. I have always been in his corner. I have tried everything I could try."
She further suggested the possibility that her father is suffering from a mental or neurological illness. "Some of us do think he's mentally ill or experiencing something like dementia," she wrote on Instagram. "He really acts like he hates and does not know his children frequently."
How has Russell Simmons responded to his family?
Within hours of the posts from Aoki and Kimora, Russell seemed to indirectly address the allegations against him. He shared a photo of his daughters on Instagram and wrote, "God is testing you a little bit, it’s ok, be strong. . . they are called growing pains . . . as you know, we grow through adversity and struggle . . . you read my books and heard me preach your whole childhood . . . reach back to old lessons and remember to remember 'smile and breathe' ❤️ 'smile and breathe' . . . you are the watchers of this world . . . so let go . . . be at ease . . . God is driving and he is working on you ❤️."
Russell concluded, "DEEPLY sorry for being frustrated and yelling . . .but know this . . . there are no conditions . . . for sure i love you guys more than i love myself."
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The updates from Russell, Kimora, and Aoki appeared to catch many fans off guard, as the family doesn't often speak about their private dynamics in public.
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When did Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons start dating?
Russell and Kimora began dating as soon as Kimora turned 18 years old (Russell was 36 at the time). The pair got married six years after their relationship began and welcomed their first child in 2000. Their second daughter was born in 2002.
Why did Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons divorce?
Kimora filed for divorce in 2008 citing "irreconcilable differences." People reports that she also requested legal and physical custody of the pair's daughters and that Russell be awarded "reasonable child visitation to be accompanied at all times by the children’s nanny and security personnel."
The estranged couple announced their separation in 2006 and revealed that they had been living apart before the split.
What are the accusations against Russell Simmons?
Aoki Simmons asserted in her Instagram Stories that her father's "media issues" could be part of the reason why he is lashing out. She's possibly referring to the fact that, in 2018, 18 women accused Russell Simmons of sexual misconduct, though he denies the allegations against him.
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