Russell Simmons: Kimora and I Are Best Friends For Our Girls
 Courtesy JET |
Where some Hollywood stars may shy away from their celebrity status, Russell Simmons is all about embracing the fame for a good cause.
“Celebrity is valuable,” he tells JET in their July issue. “You can use it to benefit others.”
While Russell stays true to his word with his dedication to countless charity projects, he is equally as determined to instill the same qualities in his daughters Ming Lee, 9, and Aoki Lee, 6 ½.
“I tell them that giving is part of your receiving process; life is about giving.”
The girls witness a great example of giving when it comes to the relationship between their father and mom Kimora Lee Simmons.
When the couple divorced last year, Kimora was granted sole custody of the children with Russell entitled to visitation; however, the two have been known to make a few adjustments to the schedule.
“Obviously we have an arrangement, but Kimora is very gracious when it comes to the children,” he shares. “Whenever there is something special, additional days that I want, she is very accommodating.”
With Ming and Aoki living in Los Angeles with Kimora, the doting dad is thrilled when he has the chance to visit California and spend time with his girls — so much so, he laughs, that the trio often forgo their extracurricular activities, much to Kimora’s chagrin!
“They have so many activities, I admit when I have them, we cancel activities and do special stuff. Kimora gets upset when we do that, but we try not to do that too often.”
Now, full swing into summer, Russell reveals that the kids spend most of the weekends with him in New York. During that time, it is his youngest daughter Aoki who keeps the proud papa constantly on his toes! “[She] loves the stage,” he says. “When she has a chance to make a speech, no matter where it is, she can’t wait.”
The same, however, does not ring true for Ming. “[She] is a little more shy, more of an artist. She is a painter; she is not too much into the stage, although she can perform,” Russell notes.
“They are both in front of the camera so often, but it is work for her.”
The girls recently became big sisters when Kimora and actor Djimon Hounsou welcomed their first child together, son Kenzo Lee. Despite finding new partners in life — Russell is dating model Noemie Lenoir, and hopes to one day expand his brood — the two remain devoted to their children. “Kimora and I talk about pretty much everything,” he explains. “We are the best of friends. And that’s very helpful to the girls.” The friendship even extends to Djimon!
“We talk a little bit, of course. We talk about fatherhood and his experiences and everything. I hope to make a movie with him soon. He is a very calm, sweet person and a great stabilizing force in the way things have been between me and Kimora, so that’s great.”
Source: JET; July 6-13 issue
– Anya
- Posted on Jul 2, 09 at 5:00PM
- Permalink
- 23 Comments
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:28 pm
I read that issue of Jet while at the hairdresser yesterday. It’s a nice story. I’m happy that Kimora and Russell are still friends for their girls and for themselves!! It would be a shame if they hated each other after all the years they’ve been together. The both seem like nice people.
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Russell is a great dad and Kimora is a great mom, so I know that there kids will be caring and great adults when they get older. I can’t wait to see pic of her baby boy!!!
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:13 pm
How wonderful that they can get along so well even after getting divorced. Glad to see that they are both putting the welfare of their daughters first.
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:37 pm
What great, mature parents they both are. Quite a relief in Hollywood these days! The girls are beautiful and look very happy. I think Ming looks just like Kimora and Aoki looks more like Russell. Love their names too (including Kenzo). This is an awesome extended family!!
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger should take a lesson from these people.
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Devyn, as should Kelly Rutherford and her ex-husband Daniel!
What a lovely read this was!
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Aoki is tall for a six-year-old!
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:20 pm
Great article!
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:03 am
Brianna – Kimora is tall for an Asian. I think that’s where Aoki gets her height from since Russell isn’t that tall himself. I’ve seen Russell before in Las Vegas during a movie premier and was surprised to see that he wasn’t much taller than me.
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:24 am
Very nice article. Sounds like they are being very mature and sensible. Dicorve doesn’t always have to be so ugly.
Aoki looks just like Russel.
July 3rd, 2009 at 8:17 am
Very nice reminds me of my own situation – my mom and stepdad frequently go out with my dad and stepmom. Great friends and we all spend holidays all together. In fact, as we speak, both dads golfing – moms at the beach w my son!
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:21 am
Kimora’s father is black. She’s black and Asian (Chinese and Japanese).
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:25 am
Wow! those girls are really growing up and more beautiful than ever! They are definitely cherished by both parents!
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:08 pm
TV, Kimora is half black and half asian. She got the height from her (black) father.
I love the Simmons family! I agree with everyone that more divorced couples should be like them. It’s the best thing for the kids.
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:11 pm
How refreshing to hear a divorced couple speaking so highly of each other and keeping things just so for the sake of their children. It’s a shame so many others in the public eye use the children to get at the other x
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:48 pm
He seems like a nice guy. It’s truly refreshing to hear exes who speak highly of each other.
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:02 pm
It’s amazing how much they have grown since mtv cribs was aired.
they look like very well behaved young ladies with maybe a little hint of devilishness in them. i’m so glad to hear that Russell and Kimora and Dijimon.(omg i know i butchered his name but i had a brain fart so please don’t yell at me lol)are getting along with one another. It’s really healthy for the girls to see. can’t wait to see pics of Kenzo. I wish everyone a safe and HAPPY 4TH OF JULY
July 4th, 2009 at 1:34 am
This scenario reminds me of Demi Moore-Bruce Willis-Ashton Kutcher. How I wish my parents had been kind to each other after they divorced. Ming Lee and Aoki Lee are 2 very lucky little ladies to have parents who are kind to each other. It is priceless!!
July 4th, 2009 at 8:55 am
I think their relationship is wonderful. Even if the parents aren’t divorced; if two people have a child together but choose to end the relatioship they should be able to get along for the kids. That’s what me and my son’s father do (he’s 3). It’s not perfect but our son is happy and that’s what counts.
My pride has definitely gone out of the window! And maybe a little bit of his!
July 5th, 2009 at 2:16 am
I am very well aware that Kimora is also black. But I was pointing out that for someone to also have Asian in their blood Kimora is surprisingly tall. My brother is a perfect example to use. We’re half Filipino and half French-Canadian. While I am 5′ 2″ tall, my brother happens to be 5′ 11 1/2″ tall. He towers over a lot of our relatives whenever there are family get togethers.
July 5th, 2009 at 5:33 am
No Kimora’s mother is Korean and Japanese, not Chinese and Japanese.
July 5th, 2009 at 9:34 am
I love seeing a new article on him and the family, especially him and the girls. Considering how it seemed a bit rough at the start of Kimora and Russell’s separation/divorce, glad to see things going so well for them.
Those girls are adorable, and still making me feel old…lol.
And he’s dating Noemie now? I thought he was still with Porschla. Didn’t know they split.
July 6th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Porschla then Katie Rost then Julie Henderson and now Noemie…