Russell Simmons Says He's Not A "Monster": "I Don't Feel That I Victimized Them"

BY Erika Marie 2.9K Views
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Russell Simmons, Allegations, The Breakfast Club
Russell Simmons shared that he took and passed "nine separate three-hour lie detector tests."

When DJ Envy of The Breakfast Club shared yesterday that Russell Simmons would be joining the show on Wednesday (June 10), there was a little pushback from the public. Not everyone was happy to hear about the interview, especially Sil Lai Abrams, a woman who accused Russell Simmons of raping her back in 1994. She took to her Twitter account to call out The Breakfast Club and its hosts, calling them "rape apologists" in her tweet.

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During Simmons's video conference appearance, the Def Jam icon refuted claims that he behaved inappropriately. "I could never say that someone doesn't feel victimized," Russell Simmons said. "Thirty years ago... These stories are twenty-five to forty-years-old. I can't say someone doesn't feel victimized. I can tell you that I don't feel that I victimized them. And how can I say that? I took nine separate three-hour lie detector tests by two separate teachers. Polygraph. So I just want to share that. They're available to you. I just wanted to say that, and I don't know what else to say other than I feel terrible."

Then, Simmons said that during Oprah Winfrey's investigation, he read a report by one woman and said he "believed her." He stated, "She said she got in the car and the car door locked. My first instinct was sh*t, the car doors lock in 1990. Cadillacs. So, it was a misunderstanding as far as I can tell. But I believe her. But I also passed nine tests because I believe me." Russell Simmons added that while he does feel terrible for the women who were "victimized." he isn't the "monster" that people are painting him out to be. Check out Simmons's explanation below and let us know if you watched the controversial On the Record documentary.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.