WATER MILL, NY - JULY 15: Founder, RUSH Philanthropic Arts Foundation Russell Simmons and daughters Ming Lee Simmons and Aoki Lee Simmons attend "Midnight At The Oasis" Annual Art For Life Benefit hosted by Russell Simmons' Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation at Fairview Farms on July 15, 2017 in Water Mill, New York. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation)
Aoki Lee Simmons had social media in shambles last week when photos of her kissing a 65-year-old man surfaced online. Folks wasted no time calling on her parents, Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee, to step in.
Amid the flood of reactions on Russell and Kimora’s social profiles, the father of two recently cleared the air on his contact status with his daughters, Aoki and Ming Lee.
Instagram user (@mz.cmarie) challenged Russell Simmons to “call” Aoki, “even if she doesn’t answer.” Simmons responded to the comment by tagging the IG user.
“…What makes u think I don’t? Of course, I call both of my daughters daily,” Russell wrote.
Russell’s new revelation of “daily” calls is the first update we’ve heard about his contact with Aoki specifically. She and Ming Lee have not confirmed or denied his claim.
However, in an interview with TMZ, Russell confirmed that he knew the photos of Aoki would surface because she told him. As for his thoughts on her choice, he’s not stressing over it.
“I’m not gonna kick and scream about her choices,” he told the outlet. “All I can do is offer my advice and unconditional love.”
This contact development is news to the innanet, given how Aoki Lee Simmons accused her father of intimidation, financial abuse, and bullying last year. Kimora backed up those sentiments in her own emotional testimony. At the time, Ming Lee did not add to the family tea her mother and sister spilled.
In response, Russell shared a photo of Aoki and Ming with a lengthy caption about loving them more than himself.
Photos obtained by Spread Pictures and MEGA showed Aoki boo’ed up with restaurant owner Vittorio Assaf. Despite their 44-year age gap, they enjoyed some fun in the sand and sea and lots of PDA in St. Barts this past week.
Amid the photos going viral, Russell and Kimora took to social media with separate messages. Kimora Lee shared a post of a mama panda bear trying to get her baby panda bear to sit still in one place. A caption she included with the post said, “On my last nerve right now.”
Russell Simmons shared a throwback photo of him and Aoki Lee. In his caption, he reminded the 21-year-old that he’s always “waiting for any call any time.”
Meanwhile, Aoki Lee seems unbothered by the media headlines and social media talks about her love life. She revealed over the weekend that she’s “happy” and confirmed Vittorio is her “boyfriend.”
