Russell Simmons wants to set the record straight about his past with Kimora Lee Simmons.
The Def Jam Recordings co-founder and model were married from 1998 to 2009; they separated three years before finalizing their divorce.
The former duo share two daughters, Ming, 26, and Aoki, 24.
The couple’s past is back in the spotlight following the release of “Kimora Lee: On Her Own.”
The Lifetime documentary traces Baby Phat founder’s rise from teenage Chanel model to fashion mogul — while revisiting her history with Simmons.
“When I was doing the fashion shows, he would always be front row at the end, like standing up and so loudly clapping and cheering and doing all of these commotions,” Kimora reveals about her earliest encounters with Simmons in the project.
“I definitely was like, ‘Who is the weird guy at the end of the runway?’ And then he would come backstage, and that’s weird. ‘You let these men come backstage — what are you doing? We’re changing.’ But that’s how it was. I was 16 years old when I met that man. He was 18 years older than me,” the fashionista continued.
But that’s not exactly how the hip-hop pioneer remembers things.
During a 2016 “The Breakfast Club” interview, Simmons claimed he was 34, and Kimora was 17 when they started dating. “She turned 18, and we went to St. Barts for vacation… It was all good. We were together for 15 years,” he told the hosts.
Renewed scrutiny of the relationship prompted his spokesperson to speak out in Simmons’s defense.
His team told Baller Alert that the pair met at a Mary McFadden fashion show in February 1993, declaring that Kimora was 17 years and 9 months old. The individual further stated, “I hope this clears up any misunderstandings.”
The attempt at debunking claims of a larger age gap backfired.
A comment condemning him read, “So he’s publicly arguing about 1 year since 17yrs old is the age of consent? That still would’ve made Russell what…33-34 when he met her? And that’s better? That’s worth publicly fixing the record? lol Smh.”
The pile-on continued with others chiming in to rant, “Defending when you started dating a teenager when you were a 34 year old adult is crazy.”
Along with, “He swear 17 makes it better!”
Kimora also claimed that supermodel Tyra Banks tried to steer her friend away from the mature suitor in the documentary.
A fan wrote, “Ummm TYRA Banks let that cat out of bag back in the 90s … I remember.”
“I’m sure he had already tried to date her and had gone through the whole thing with her and probably so many other girls. I’m sure this was a ritual,” Kimora told People in a recent interview.
“I thought she was a little bit hating, but just how a girlfriend would do. She was trying to protect me,” she explained.
For others, Kimora and Simmons’ love story is a reminder of their daughter Aoki’s 2024 dating scandal.
A user remarked, “Isn’t her daughter repeating history with an old man as well? Must be in their blood. Looking for older rich men.”
Two years ago, Aoki and restaurateur Vittorio Assaf, then 65, were caught canoodling on a secluded beach in St. Barts.
The aspiring model called Assaf her “boyfriend” in IG Story updates but did not reveal his identity.
Her mother tried to downplay the scandal when she spoke with TMZ about her daughter’s headlines.
“I think that we don’t think that the toads we may kiss is gonna be like broadcast. And I personally feel a little bit like she was set up, which is why I try to teach the girls, right,” she said.
Aoki later joked that she was forced to get a rid job after the “sugar daddy” fallout.
Aoki Lee Simmons (21) is out here boo’ed up with restaurateur Vittorio Assaf. (65)
— KenBarbie™ (@itsKenBarbie) April 6, 2024
I know a lot of times having a sugar daddy is glorified.. and you know what, to a certain extent… do your thing! But a 21 year old with a 65 year old man is crazy… 🤢 pic.twitter.com/NyIp5ikapo
