Aoki Lee Simmons Gets Accepted To Harvard University At 16

Congrats to the teen!

BYErika Marie
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Earlier this month, 16-year-old Aoki Simmons tearfully took to her Instagram Live to share her struggles with her high school classmates. The daughter of Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons revealed that she was the victim of racist attacks by a white male student who would say things like "N***r, are you on crack or something?" According to Aoki, her school refused to punish the student and he continued to harass her.

"I'm so over people at my school being racist and no one doing anything about it," she said as she cried in the video. "I go to school to work. I don't even talk to these people because I'm busy. I'm trying to go to Yale. I'm trying to go to Harvard. I don't have time for you!"

The teenager's hard work has paid off because she was back on Instagram today to share a few more tears, this time documenting the moment she found out that she had been accepted to Harvard University. "Iโ€™m only 16 and Iโ€™m going to Harvard baby!" Aoki wrote. "Insert emotional crying face. @kimoraleesimmons 'thank god you got in on your own honey cause you canโ€™t row' ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚ thank you so much to every single person who helped me along the way. I am excited and honored and so so grateful."

Aoki quoted her mom's "row" line that was in direct reference to the USC scandal involving Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin. Loughlin reportedly sent USC photos of her daughter, Olivia Jade, on an ergometer rowing as proof that she was the crew coxswain for the L.A. Marina Club. In fact, Olivia Jade didn't row at all and it was all allegedly a ploy to aid in her acceptance to the university.


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About The Author
Erika Marie is a seasoned journalist, editor, and ghostwriter who works predominantly in the fields of music, spirituality, mental health advocacy, and social activism. The Los Angeles editor, storyteller, and activist has been involved in the behind-the-scenes workings of the entertainment industry for nearly two decades. E.M. attempts to write stories that are compelling while remaining informative and respectful. She's an advocate of lyrical witticism & the power of the pen. Favorites: Motown, New Jack Swing, '90s R&B, Hip Hop, Indie Rock, & Punk; Funk, Soul, Harlem Renaissance Jazz greats, and artists who innovate, not simply replicate.