WATCH Russell Simmons React To ‘Misunderstanding’ Sexual Assault Claims Made In HBO Documentary “On The Record”
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Russell Simmons has never been someone that is afraid to speak his mind, especially when it comes to sensitive topics. The film On the Record was released on May 27, to highlight accusations made against the music mogul by several women and features interviews of victims recounted their firsthand experiences with him. Now, he is speaking out about these allegations, some of which he actually admitted may have happened.
Russell Simmons Understands Why The Women Feel Victimized
Over 20 victims have come forward saying that Simmons sexually assaulted them in the past. Oprah Winfrey was originally slated to be the executive producer of this film and she conducted the initial investigation into the claims. During this time, Simmons admitted to Winfrey that there were in fact some claims that he did believe. One story, in particular, really resonated with him. He said in the interview “It broke my heart when I read it.” After the woman filed a report, this was the first time Simmons had read it 30 years later. “I read it and I believed her. She said she got in the car and the car door locked and my first instinct was, ‘S**t. Car doors lock in 1990. Loud, Cadillacs,” he recalled.
He went on to say “I could never say that someone doesn’t feel victimized.” He continued “Thirty years ago…these stories are 25 to 40 years old. I can’t say someone doesn’t feel victimized. I can tell you that I don’t feel that I victimized them.” Simmons kept emphasizing that he took nine lie detector tests to prove his innocence. But, it really had some people questioning why he was trying to maintain his innocence, while also agreeing that some of the claims may have been true. One Instagram comment on the Breakfast Club video said “that was basically a damn confession.”
One Of Simmons’ Accusers Condemned The Breakfast Club For Letting Him Appear On The Show
Sil Lai Abrams who alleges that Simmons raped her in 1994 took to Twitter to show how angry she was. She tweeted “The biggest radio show in the black community just gave a huge middle finger to black women and survivors of sexual assault.” She added, “Stunts like what @breakfastclubam is pulling this morning by having Russell Simmons on to talk about *social justice of all things* is why it took over 25 years for R. Kelly to start to be held accountable for his serial predation of Black women and girls.”
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Another thing that people are outraged about is the fact that Simmons has fled the United States. He is now currently living in Bali which has no extradition treaty with the US. This means that Simmons cannot be extradited for any crimes or accusations made against him unless he comes back to the US. He has claimed in the past that going to Indonesia has helped him reach enlightenment, but some people think he saw it as a way out. Instagram users commented on The Shade Rooms post saying “Why did you run away the min these allegations surface, go home and defend yourself there.” Another comment said, “Then why is he hiding in another country???” Do you think Russell Simmons is running away from the truth?
