*Earlier this week, Russell Simmons posted a throwback picture of him and his ex-wife Kimora, wishing her a happy birthday. But seeing as how the hip-hop mogul is currently facing accusations of sexual assault, including rape, several inquiring minds wanted to know whether he started dating Kimora when she was a teenager.
As noted by MadameNoire, the short answer is yes.
In a since deleted response that The Jasmine Brand caught a screenshot of, here’s what Russell had to say:
“I never do this but…. That’s not true… She turned 18 right after i met her February fashion week Tyra banks (our bridesmaid) Cindy Crawford Naomi were all back stage at the Mary McFadden show they said i was a modelizer and that i wasn’t gonna stick around… i think that may have inspired her [laughing emoji] (the challenge). “We got to know each other by May we were dating. She was legal at 17 But she turned 18 that may her mother and her manager Bethann Hardison approved supported and Rushed us (we really didn’t need a push) and the love affair began People like to talk every so often i loose my cool and talk back so take this advice Be happy and share happiness… try to think uplifting thoughts and keep learning to practice love… that’s our goal… oh and celebrate the queen @kimoraleesimmons”
It’s worth noting that Kimora was 17 and Russell was 35when they started dating. They married when he was 41 and she was 23, and share two daughters together.
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Meanwhile, the controversial documentary about the women accusing Simmons of sexual assault now has a trailer and release date.
The first official trailer for “On the Record” has been released by HBO Max, and is set to premiere on May 27 with the launch of the new streaming service. The film centers on Drew Dixon and her journey sharing her experience during the age of #MeToo.
“I’ve been a victim for 22 years,” says Dixon in the trailer. “I’m tired of being a victim.”
In 2017, Dixon told The New York Times she was working her “dream job” as a 24-year-old Def Jam executive when Simmons sexually assaulted her multiple times and raped her in his home in 1995. As reported by PEOPLE, she was initially reluctant to come forward because she was “worried about adding fodder to the myth of the predatory black man.”
In January, just before the film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, Oprah announced she was no longer associated as an executive producer on the project.
“First and foremost, I want it to be known that I unequivocally believe and support the women. Their stories deserve to be told and heard,” said Winfrey in a statement at the time. “In my opinion, there is more work to be done on the film to illuminate the full scope of what the victims endured and it has become clear that the filmmakers and I are not aligned in that creative vision.”
She added: “Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering are talented filmmakers. I have great respect for their mission but given the filmmakers’ desire to premiere the film at the Sundance Film Festival before I believe it is complete, I feel it’s best to step aside.”
Watch the trailer below.
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