Kimora Lee Simmons, a renowned former supermodel and founder of the Baby Phat fashion line, is set to provide an insightful look into her complex love life in her upcoming Lifetime documentary, *Kimora Lee: On Her Own*, which premieres on September 20. The film promises to reveal intimate details from her past, particularly her relationships, including her marriage to music mogul Russell Simmons.
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Reflecting on her early modelling career, Kimora, now 51, revisits her introduction to the New York City fashion scene in the mid-1990s. At that time, she was making headlines as the face of major brands such as Chanel. It was during this period that she caught the attention of Simmons, who would become a significant figure in her life.
In the documentary, Kimora recalls how Simmons would show unwavering support during her runway shows, often seated front-row and vocally cheering her on. Initially viewing his actions as peculiar, Kimora describes her early encounters with Simmons, stating, “I definitely saw him as the weird guy at the end of the runway.” She was only 16 when their relationship began, while he was 18 years her senior.
Nurturing a budding friendship with fellow supermodel Tyra Banks, Kimora shares an instance where Banks intervened in her developing romance with Simmons. In an effort to protect her friend, Banks kept Kimora at her apartment for an entire weekend to prevent her from returning home and checking her voicemails, which Kimora believes were filled with messages from Simmons. Looking back, Kimora admits she felt annoyed at the time, interpreting Banks’ actions as overly cautious, though she later recognised it as genuine concern.
“I thought she was a little bit hating, but just how a girlfriend would do. She was trying to protect me,” Kimora explained. While Tyra’s intentions were to safeguard her, Kimora reflects on her own naivety, believing that her experience would differ from Banks’ past encounters with Simmons.
Ultimately, Kimora Lee married Russell Simmons in 1998, with Banks playing a role as a bridesmaid. Together, they welcomed two daughters, Ming Lee and Aoki, with the latter being goddaughter to Tyra. Despite this early closeness, Kimora revealed that she and Banks have not communicated in years.
The marriage, however, was far from idyllic. Kimora has candidly spoken about the verbal abuse she endured during her relationship with Simmons. They officially separated in 2006, culminating in a divorce that was finalised in 2009. In a discussion with *People*, she remarked, “I didn’t even realise it was abusive until I started putting the pieces together.” Kimora suggests that during that period, emotional and financial abuses were often overlooked or deemed normal.
Recent years have seen Simmons embroiled in controversy, facing several allegations of sexual assault from women who recount experiences from their past. Simmons has consistently denied these accusations, asserting that all his relationships were consensual. Kimora stated that she only became aware of these allegations after her own relationship with Simmons had ended.
Following their divorce, Kimora and Simmons found themselves in legal disputes over shared assets, although she indicated that these issues have since been resolved. When questioned about whether her documentary might reignite tensions with Simmons, Kimora responded pointedly, “I don’t give a damn about him or his drawls. We are done.”
As she prepares for the premiere of *Kimora Lee: On Her Own*, she invites audiences to witness her story, which not only chronicles her professional rise but also the trials she faced in her personal life. The documentary aims to shed light on her experiences, empowering viewers who may have faced similar struggles.
For those seeking support regarding sexual assault, the National Sexual Assault Hotline can be reached at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), and additional resources are available online.
With its premiere on the horizon, Kimora Lee Simmons is poised to share a compelling narrative of survival and resilience, navigating the tumultuous waters of love, fame, and personal growth.