Russell Simmons speaks out about 'separation' from Kimora Lee

**buttmunch** · April 4th, 2006, 04:12 AM

Separation? What separation?
Yesterday — three days after formally announcing his split from Kimora Lee Simmons, his wife of seven years — hip-hop and fashion mogul Russell Simmons told me there's still "a possibility" they can save their marriage.

"This morning we woke up, the four of us, in the same bed — which is pretty normal for us," Simmons told me, referring to Kimora and their daughters Ming Lee, 6, and Aoki, 3. He said the family started the day at their Saddle River, N.J., mansion — one of several Simmons residences, including an East Hampton estate, a Tribeca loft and houses in L.A. "On the day we made our announcement, I picked up my children from school and took them to see 'Ice Age 2: The Meltdown' with Kimora."

But at the same time, the 48-year-old Simmons acknowledged that he's been spending quality time with 23-year-old Dominican beauty and rap video starlet Denise Vasi, and insisted that he'd approve if Kimora, the 30-year-old "Fabulosity" author, found another guy.

"There would be just two requirements," Simmons told me. "One, he'd better be sweet to Kimora. Two, he'd better love my children."

Simmons complained about press accounts of their split "that made it look like we were unfaithful to each other. That's not true. We know each other very well." Simmons — who defines "unfaithful" as "dishonest" — indicated he'd told Kimora about his relationship with Vasi. "Yes, I'd been out with this girl. She's very sweet," he said.

During a phone interview that was interrupted twice by an aide saying that Kimora was trying to reach him, Simmons added: "I work with her 14 hours a day. The question is, do we want to be together 24 hours a day?

"We're making a space and taking some time, but we're best friends," said Simmons. "We're still going to have our media interests and our fashion interests. I am producing her reality show, and we're raising our children together. From what the public sees, there's absolutely no change."

Saturday, Russell and Kimora will be at Mar-a-Lago, where Donald and Melania Trump will co-host a Palm Beach fund-raiser for the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation.

"We've been together for 14 years. She was 16 when we met," Simmons said. "Now I guess we're different. We have different tastes. We have different aspirations in life."

Simmons said their separation drama will be featured on VH1's "The Kimora Lee Simmons Show," and laughed: "I'm sure the producers want to get it on the show sooner rather than later."

Simmons insisted that neither he nor Kimora has plans to hire lawyers to divide an estate potentially worth hundreds of millions of dollars, including companies involving fashion, jewelry, finance and television production. He said that Kimora wasn't available for comment.

"We're partners in everything. There's no money discussion with us. We're not going to have any fights over money. We're just not," he told me. "I'll bet you my bottom dollar and my top dollar."

nydailynews.com

Russell seems to be in serious denial. Kimora 'I will beat the bitch's ass' does not strike me as a woman who will sweetly walk away without squeezing every last top and bottom dollar out of her wayward husband that she can.

**luvmy2cats** · April 4th, 2006, 05:35 AM

Simmons complained about press accounts of their split "that made it look like we were unfaithful to each other. That's not true. We know each other very well." Simmons — who defines "unfaithful" as "dishonest" — indicated he'd told Kimora about his relationship with Vasi. "Yes, I'd been out with this girl. She's very sweet," he said.

One I guess Kimora didn't beat the girls ass like she said she would in that Vanity Fair article. And if he's dating someone then yes it is being unfaithful. He may not think it is, however I don't think infidelity should be shrugged off because you've told the other person you want to be with someone else.

On the last note, they may actually separate but stay married and lead different lives. I mean, Kimora probably is worth as much as him from doing the Phat whatever lines she started.

**buttmunch** · April 4th, 2006, 05:39 AM

Can you imagine being his second wife, with Kimora as the first wife? Talk about hell on earth.

**darksithbunny** · April 4th, 2006, 06:29 AM

Simmons said their separation drama will be featured on VH1's "The Kimora Lee Simmons Show," and laughed: "I'm sure the producers want to get it on the show sooner rather than later."

How come this makes me think it is all being done so her show will be watched?

**buttmunch** · April 4th, 2006, 10:38 AM

Good call, darksith. Or else he is *missing a sensitivity chip*.

**buttmunch** · April 4th, 2006, 12:16 PM

I agree, Rizzo, although I do tend to defend those who do not speak about thier private lives and still have to suffer daily intrusions.

**LynnieD** · April 4th, 2006, 12:16 PM

He's just a swell, stand up kind of guy isn't he??

**Palermo** · April 4th, 2006, 03:05 PM

Kimora is obviously way too old for him now

**loulou58** · April 4th, 2006, 03:33 PM

I always got a real big gay vibe off him. Plus Kimora looks like one $$ grabbing beeatch- she'll bleed him dry.

**pattycake** · April 4th, 2006, 03:37 PM

[QUOTE=luvmy2cats
On the last note, they may actually separate but stay married and lead different lives. I mean, Kimora probably is worth as much as him from doing the Phat whatever lines she started.[/QUOTE]

I think Kimora is worth that much because of Russell Simmons. He was the one that helped her got started with Baby Phat...I'm sure he put up the "seed money."

**loulou58** · April 4th, 2006, 03:38 PM

That one'll get him reaalll goood! right where it hurts. in the wallet.

**MillionDollarBaby** · April 4th, 2006, 09:10 PM

I was totally shocked when i read this!I can't believe he said all this!

**dababe** · April 4th, 2006, 10:13 PM

the only reason why anyone in their right mind would give so much info on your personal life is if there was a chance your purse would be lighter if you didnt. Russel is crazy to go to a tabloid and tell them he will be dating other women and would like his wife to date other men but they will still be waking up the four of them in the same bed

smh.

i think baby phat would suffer the most if they split coz the label sells more because it has a link to hiphop. Kimora on her own wont sells s`hit...who wants to dress like kimora

**allthesun** · April 5th, 2006, 09:16 PM

I almost always think of the line from the Beastie Boys whenever I hear either of their names, "I've got fat base rhymes like Russell Simmons steals money."
"In the late 1987, Russell Simmons and Def Jam records claimed the Beastie Boys owed them seven more albums; the Beastie Boys counter claimed for breach of contract and alleged that Def Jam withheld over two million dollars of royalty payments"

I seriously doubt that "her" money is in the same league as his-now way, uhuh.

**CherryDarling** · April 6th, 2006, 12:50 AM

You guys remember this Blind Item from the NY Post in Feb? I think we may have our answer:

February 20, 2006 -- WHICH power couple is said to be close to announcing a surprise split? Friends say the cuckolded hubby is tired of his wife flaunting her female lover, who was even invited to their daughter's recent birthday party . . .

I've always thought Russell may be a part of the whole "down low" scene...and perhaps Kimora bats for the other team?