Oprah Winfrey To Executive Produce Docu About Russell Simmons’ Sexual Assault Accusations, Russell & 50 Cent Respond: “Oprah Is Going After Black Men!”
Oprah Winfrey To Executive Produce Sundance Doc About Russell Simmons’ Sexual Assault Accusations, Russell & 50 Cent Respond: “Oprah Is Going After Black Men!”
Def Jam/Phat Farm founder Russell Simmons has been confirmed as the subject of an upcoming documentary executive produced by media mogul, Oprah Winfrey. As reported by the Los Angeles Times, Apple TV+ acquired the rights to the film about a former music executive’s #MeToo experience. That executive is Drew Dixon, a former Def Jam employee, who has accused Russell Simmons of raping her in 1995 – leading to her departure from the label. Today, (12/13/19) it was announced that the doc is headed to the coveted Sundance Film Festival.
Russell Simmons stands by his denial of non-consensual sex with any of the accusers. He directly addressed Oprah regarding the documentary with this Instagram post:
“Dearest OPRAH,you have been a shining light to my family and my community. Contributing so much to my life that I couldn’t list a fraction of it in this blog.I have given you the gift of meditation and the groundbreaking book”THE POWER OF NOW ” we bonded to say the least. This is why it’s so troubling that you choose me to single out in your recent documentry. I have already admitted to being a playboy more (appropriately titled today “womanizer”) sleeping with and putting myself in more compromising situations than almost any man I know. Not 8 or 14 thousand like Warren Beatty or Wilt Chamberlain, but still an embarrassing number. So many that some could reinterpret or reimagine a different recollection of the same experiences. Please note that ur producers said that this upcoming doc was to focus ONLY on 3 hand chosen women.”
Russell says he took and passed nine lie detector tests, specifically for his daughters’ peace of mind:
“I have refused to get in the mud with any accusers, but let’s acknowledge what i have shared. I have taken and passed nine 3-hour lie detector tests (taken for my daughters), that these stories have been passed on by CNN, NBC, BUZZFEED, NY POST, NY MAG, AND OTHERS. Now that you have reviewed the facts and you SHOULD have learned what I know; that these stories are UNUSABLE and that “hurt people hurt people”. Today I received a call from an old girlfriend from the early 1980s which means that they are using my words/evidence against me and their COMMITMENT / (all of the claims are 25 to 40 years old) It is impossible to prove what happened 40 years ago, but in my case proof exists of what didn’t happen, mostly signed letters from their own parents, siblings, roommates, band members, interns, and in the case of 2 of your 3 accusers, their own words in their books. Shocking how many people have misused this important powerful revolution for relevance and money. Maybe you should name your documentary “FLAVOR OF LOVE”!? In closing, I am guilty of exploiting, supporting, and making the soundtrack for a grossly unequal society, but i have never been violent or forced myself on anyone. Still I am here to help support a necessary shift in power and consciousness. Let us get to work on uplifting humanity and put this moment and old narrative behind”
Rapper/”Power” star Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson already isn’t a fan of Oprah’s latest project. He says the media mogul is specifically harsh toward the downfall of Black men:
“@50cent I don’t understand why Oprah is going after black men. No Harvey Weinstein, No Epstein, just Micheal jackson and Russell Simmons this shit is sad. Gale hit R Kelly with the death blow documentary.”
50 Cent continued:
“Every time I hear Micheal jackson I don’t know whether to dance or think about the little boys butts.These documentary’s are publicly convicting their targets, it makes them guilty till proven innocent. #lecheminduroi #bransoncognac #starzgettheapp #abcforlife”
Do you think Oprah Winfrey is biased in her coverage as Russell Simmons and 50 Cent allege? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Written by Miata Shanay