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According to Instagram posts from ex-wife Kimora Lee Simmons and daughter Aoki Lee Simmons, Russell Simmons’ family is accusing him of erratic and verbally abusive behavior. His estranged family has taken to social media, with 20-year-old Aoki sharing texts and soundless video call recordings where the Def Jam co-founder appears to berate his crying daughter.
“He’s been awful to me for years,” Aoki wrote on Instagram, adding that she’s had severe panic attacks as a result of his behavior. “My father is not well, for years” Aoki added. “He needs help and won’t accept that. He refuses to acknowledge he is not himself. He has threatened and bullied my sister, my grandma, he has harassed my grandma in the middle of the night in poor health, sent a man to my sister’s apartment at 2 am to scare her. He lashes out at ANYONE who does not say ‘oh Russell everything is fine.’ Well, it’s not fine.”
Kimora also shared posts to her Instagram story, writing, “I’m so sorry to have to do this. But this man has been threatening my kids’ lives. I’m hearing so much more now. We won’t be bullied or threatened or afraid.”
Kimora expressed, “No one deserves to live in such conditions, especially not a child. This is abuse and it’s not acceptable.” EW’s request for comment from Simmons’ representatives remains unanswered.
Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons were married in 1998 but divorced in 2009. They share two children, Ming Lee (23) and Aoki Lee (20). Russell Simmons’ text messages to Aoki’s story show him using explicit language to refer to Kimora and accusing her of stealing his money and love for their children.
Over the past few years, more than a dozen women have accused Russell Simmons of sexual misconduct and assault, which he denies. In 2020, the HBO Max documentary On the Record, directed by Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering, featured multiple women sharing their stories of misconduct by Simmons.
