Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons’ 21-year-old daughter is dating a 65-year-old guy. The two went on vacation together, which made multiple rounds on the internet. Russell Simmons isn’t too bothered by it, or at least that’s how it seems.
The Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons chatted with his daughter, Aoki Simmons, a day before the news broke about her being romantically involved with Vittorio Assaf, the founder of Serafina Restaurant Group. That news came out recently when some PDA-filled vacation photos of them surfaced. Here’s all we know.
The Lovebirds Were Seen Having Fun at St. Barts
The lovers were spotted in St. Barts, and the smooching shots of them have gone viral. They have also caused a lot of buzz on social media. But Russell seems not to let it bother him.
Russell had a heads-up about all this. His daughter, Aoki, had told him that it would be making the rounds on social media, so he was prepared for it. He also noted that he’s not going to overreact about her choices.
“I’m not gonna kick and scream about her choices,” Russell told TMZ. He said, “All I can do is offer my advice and unconditional love.”
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Russell Simmons Hinted His Support for His Daughter in an Instagram Post
Russell hinted at this sentiment in an Instagram post he made recently. He shared a photo of him and Aoki from Father’s Day last year, posing and smiling together. Russell added a sweet and loving caption to it. He clearly cherishes their relationship and supports her no matter what.
It’s safe to say that not everyone is as chill about this as Russell Simmons seems to be. Social media users are letting him know about it in all his comments. The same goes for Kimora, too. She’s also getting roasted in the comments section.
Reactions From Social Media
“Throwback from last Father’s Day NYC…bode Bikram yoga express class… vegan lunch cryotherapy vitamin drip … all around amazing day @aokileesimmons… love you always,” Russell wrote. He accompanied the caption with a picture of them smiling and “unconditional love” written just underneath the photo.
Some social media users took to the comment section to express their opinions about the situation. They expressed dissatisfaction with the huge age gap between his daughter and his lover.
A user wrote in the comments section, “Russell! You’re over there being zen, stretching, and meditating. Meanwhile, your daughter is letting some man older than you get at her! Get back to your black daddy roots and let that old man know, ‘not with your daughter.’ Cmon now. You haven’t always been Hollyweird. Wake up. Get your child.”
Another dissatisfied Instagram user wrote, “pls keep reaching out to her, cause a 65-year-old man is not it… get your child… prayers.” A third user advised Russell Simmons to get things in order. She said, “Forever your baby girl! It’s never too late to get things in order.”
Conversely, a user asked everyone to mind their business. The user wrote, “How about everyone mind their business and let people heal on their time? Don’t none of you know the pressure of having to raise a child in the spotlight, all while being condemned?”
About Aoki Lee Simmons and Her Lover, Vittorio Assaf
Aoki, a 21-year-old model, is dating the 65-year-old founder of Serafina Restaurant Group. “Aoki and Vittorio are spending time together and enjoying each others’ company,” a source close to Aoki tells PEOPLE. The source adds that the couple met while vacationing in St. Barts, a favorite Simmons family travel destination.
Aoki is the youngest daughter of Kimora Lee Simmons and Russell Simmons. Like her mom, she’s rocking it in the fashion industry. She’s following in her mother’s footsteps and making a name for herself.
Aoki has been modeling for her family’s Baby Phat line and Just Fab since she was a kid. It’s like a family affair in the fashion world. In 2021, she made her runway debut for Pyer Moss Paris Couture. She’s been killing it on magazine covers like Teen Vogue, Rollacoaster, and Flaunt. She has also featured in Vogue, Huffington Post, The Cut, Essence, and Complex.
She has also worked with top fashion houses like Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, Dolce & Gabbana, Monse, Lacoste, Tory Burch, and Kate Spade. Just recently, on April 3, 2024, she became the star of BCBG’s visuals for their new capsule collection, BCBG New York.
In addition to her modeling career, Aoki graduated from Harvard University at just 20 years old. On the other hand, Vittorio Assaf is a co-founder of the Serafina Restaurant Group. The group has some amazing Italian restaurants around the world.
Vittorio Assaf was with Swedish model and socialite Charlotte Bonstrom for 20 years before splitting up in 2021. In 2021, Assaf told Page Six, “Charlotte and I are in the process of getting divorced. She wants to get remarried. She is getting married to Thierry Gillier, the ex-husband of her sister.” The ex-couple shares two kids, Vittorio Jr. and Valentina.
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Kimora Lee Simmons Might Be Dissatisfied with the News
While Russell Simmons acted calm, Kimora Lee Simmons seemed annoyed by the news. She even shared a clip on her Instagram stories of a frustrated mother panda grabbing onto her cub. And to top it off, she wrote, “On my last nerve right now!”
However, her position on all of these is unknown, as she has yet to comment publicly on the issue.
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