Russell Simmons responded publicly to recent comments made by his ex-wife, Kimora Lee, claiming that he was the primary architect of her fame and the success of the iconic fashion brand Baby Phat.
The dispute ignited after Lee appeared on the “Aspire With Emma Grede” podcast, where she discussed the 2004 sale of the streetwear label. Lee alleged that she was excluded from critical negotiations and received a disproportionately small share of the proceeds despite the brand’s identity being tied to her image. “I probably got $20 million of that, or less,” Lee said during the interview, referring to the reported $140 million sale of Phat Fashions to the Kellwood Company.
She added that she was not “privy to the fact” that preliminary sale conversations were occurring at the time. Simmons, however, contested Lee’s version of events in a social media comment. The Def Jam co-founder asserted that he provided the foundation for her career and the brand’s rise to prominence.
Russell Simmons Speaks:
“I gave her the brand, which already existed,” Simmons wrote on Instagram. He claimed that he personally secured designers and marketed the brand using her face, adding that while she eventually “blossomed” and performed well, it was “very generous” of him to set the stage for her success.
The public verbal sparring follows Lee’s recent legal decision to drop “Simmons” from her name. A representative for Lee said the change to Kimora Lee was rooted in a desire for “clarity and ownership” as she moves forward with her business portfolio.
The former couple was married from 1998 to 2009 and share two daughters. While they maintained a friendly co-parenting relationship for years, their bond has visibly fractured recently amid various legal and personal disputes. Lee, who began her career as a high-fashion model, notably regained control of Baby Phat in 2019.
Leave a Reply