Russell Simmons is firing back after Kimora Lee Simmons made comments that appeared to downplay his role in her life, sparking a very public back-and-forth between the former power couple.
The drama kicked off after a recent People interview with Kimora went viral. In the conversation, the fashion mogul spoke openly about her family life and co-parenting, saying she does not have relationships with the fathers of her children and quipping that “guys are weird.”
Simmons responded on Threads, pushing back against what he described as a misleading portrayal of their shared past. He claimed he supported Kimora financially with $50,000 a month for nearly 20 years and referred to himself as her “best and only friend” during that time.
He also alleged that he is the godfather to three of her other children.
According to Simmons, their once close dynamic collapsed after he accused Kimora of taking stock that he says belonged to him. He claimed the fallout sparked years of legal turmoil and left him fighting for both financial stability and access to their children.
“I was warned I’d lose contact with my kids if I kept pushing in court,” Simmons wrote, later adding, “There are two sides to every story.”
Married in 1998 and divorced in 2009, Simmons and Kimora share two daughters and have repeatedly sparred over money, custody, and control since their split, often with their disputes spilling into public view.
The renewed tension also comes as Simmons continues to face his own legal cloud. Multiple women of sexual misconduct have accused the Def Jam co-founder over the years, allegations he has consistently denied.
Kimora has not responded publicly to Simmons’ latest statements.