It is no news that Oprah Winfrey is set to produce a documentary about the sexual allegations against her one-time friend and hip-hop mogul, Russell Simmons.
Reacting to this news, Simmons took to his social media to pen an open letter to Winfrey.
This is coming after American rapper, 50 Cent accused Winfrey and her besty, Gayle King of criticizing only black male stars at the centre of sexual assault while remaining silent on predators who are white.
Simmons’ open letter
Russell Simmons’ open letter wrecks of guilt and fear that the documentary will ridicule him. He wrote:
“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.
“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.”
Simmons’ Sexual allegations
A number of women, some of whom were aged 17 at the time of the alleged incidents have accused Simmons of sexual harassment, assault and rape. After the the third assault allegation, Simmons stepped down from his roles in the label Def Jam Records and other media properties. It was widely reported that the hip-hop mogul had sold off his assets and moved to Bali, Indonesia. Moreover, Indonesia is a country without an extradition treaty to the US, a move to avoid prosecution?
However, can Simmons’ letter and 50 Cent’s call-out be enough to stop Winfrey from producing the documentary?