Russell Simmons will be taking a backseat to the businesses he founded following new allegations of sexual assault.
The Def Jam Recordings co-founder revealed his decision after Rachel Getting Married screenwriter Jenny Lumet accused him of sexually assaulting her in 1991. Lumet shared details about the alleged encounter in a guest column for The Hollywood Reporter that was published Thursday (November 30).
Lumet, who is the daughter of late Hollywood director Sidney Lumet, recalled being sexually assaulted by Simmons in an apartment bedroom after accepting a ride from him. She describes their interactions as acquaintances over the years, and then how, after she accepted a ride home one night, Simmons told the driver not to take her home, but instead to Simmons’ apartment.
“I made the trade in my mind. I thought ‘just keep him calm and you’ll get home,'” Lumet wrote. “Maybe another person would have thought differently, or not made the trade. It was dark, but not pitch dark. You closed the door. At that point, I simply did what I was told. There was penetration. At one point you were only semi-erect and appeared frustrated. Angry? I remember being afraid that you would deem that my fault and become violent. I did not know if you were angry, but I was afraid that you were.”
In a statement, Simmons says his memory of that night with Lumet differs from the one she described. From there, he revealed he’s stepping down from his various companies.
“While her memory of that evening is very different from mine, it is now clear to me that her feelings of fear and intimidation are real … As the corridors of power inevitably make way for a new generation, I don’t want to be a distraction so I am removing myself from the businesses that I founded,” Simmons wrote in his statement.
Simmons is the founder and CEO of Rush Communications, whose holdings include Hip Hop media brand All Def Digital and Yoga brand Tantris.
Lumet’s article comes weeks after Simmons was accused of sexual assault by model Keri Claussen Khalighi when she was 17 years old in 1991. Simmons admitted to having sex with Khalighi but claimed that it was consensual.
HBO has also cut ties with Simmons in light of the allegations, removing him from its All Def Comedy series.
“HBO will be airing All Def Comedy as planned,” an HBO spokesperson said, according to Variety. “However, Russell Simmons will not appear in the new series and we will be removing his name from the show moving forward. The series is a platform for promising and upcoming comedians and we do not want to deprive them of an opportunity to showcase their talents to a national audience. We have no other projects with Russell Simmons.”
HAHAHA! The BLM cat, the first to congratulate openly gay dudes and cross dressing in Hip-Hop gets lynched by his own PC cronies. HAHAHA! Where is Afrika Bambattyboy at? I would like to sign up for an exploitive credit card please Russel! HAHAHAHA! I’m actually liking Trump now. That Pedo smile and all the pink shirts are starting to make sense now. No wonder Rick Reuben cut out…
You don’t see Trump in pink all that often…def got that pedo smile tho..pedo-incest smile. “Boy if she wasnt my daughter I’d be tapping that”
Jared Kushner the jevv is banging Ivanka. Jarer has ties to the far right political party Likud in Israel.
Lol
Everybody is fuckin everybody. Lol
HEEEEEER we go again ! this is some bullshit they obviously looking for the Dough cause this is starting to become a trend
Libs with another L
Dumb ass shouldn’t have done it that simple. How u gone it’s unfair? It’s either you did it and thought you wouldn’t get caught or you just didn’t care but either way everyone knows karma comes back around for everyone it’s no getting away with nothing!!!!
From Sidney Lumet’s wikipedia entry: “Lumet was born in Philadelphia to parents of Jevvish descent.” Nuff said.
Ignorant peasant.
Aye man, humans make mistakes. Morals are developed not given to you. He will be alright
Nah. I disagree. Sexual predatory issues are not forgiveable. Even when you’re a high profile individual. Especially when you’re using your status. It’s wrong period. You can’t go to a rapist, pedophile (not in this case) and be like it was a mistake on them. Cussing out your parents in the heat of the moment and realizing what you did before the pimp slaps is a mistake. Filling out a scan Tron in the wrong area is a mistake. You sounding like you support this behavior. Or perhaps you indulge in taking advantage of people. Check yourself, go educate yourself, take classes on these issues. This should not be labeled a mistake whatsoever.
I don’t condone rap or assault but report it when it happens so it can be investigated*it’s crazy tht not only women but men too are waiting forever to say something*Terry crews ol swole ass gets touched up and doesn’t beat dudes ass or anything*he should of Been outed the perp and Simmons email*but I want to stay rich & famous instead of having justice served*what it boils down to*
All these sick twisted freaks need to be locked up. Really sucks most of these cases there’s nothing that can happen to them. People like this will never learn. But R.kelly right now cam sure be locked up! Get that sob!
I said it before and i’ll say it again . He should have just grabbed them by the pussy .They let you do anything when you’re famous .