Russell Simmons has been put on the defensive after critics slammed actor Taraji P. Henson for spending time with the embattled hip-hop entrepreneur and owner at his Bali resort.
Simmons, 66, told them to “stop doing that” following the backlash that erupted when Simmons posted a photo of himself with “The Color Purple” star in Indonesia. Many voiced their grievances with Henson for hobnobbing with someone who has been accused of sexual assault.
The Def Jam Recordings co-founder has been the subject of sexual misconduct, rape and defamation allegations for years and is the defendant in sexual assault and defamation lawsuits filed in February. But he sidestepped those details in his video response posted Tuesday on Instagram Live and criticized Black people who “demonize” him but support former President Trump. He also listed his contributions to the Black community and rejected the idea that he is “hiding” to evade legal consequences.
“Black people, have you forgotten that I bailed 10,000 black men out of prison? And that I forever changed the factory farming industry? And that I registered more of you to vote than probably anyone else you know?” he said.
Simmons said she has worked for Black Lives Matter and “all the movements that helped our people,” including organizations that helped women and LGBTQ+ people.
“To let you demonize me so much that my friends can’t visit me without me attacking them, but you still stand with Donald Trump? Stop it!” she said. “I’ll be in New York next week, this idea that I’m hiding is stupid. I call the paparazzi every time I’m there. I have an office on Wilshire Boulevard. I’m there all the time. I work in New York sometimes, but I live here. I live here to heal people.”
Simmons spends much of her free time in Bali, where she founded the Gdas Bali Health and Wellness Resort. Henson visited the property last summer and revisited earlier this month, when Simmons posted about it and thanked her for her patronage. (R&B star Usher also spent time at Gdas during his honeymoon in March and faced similar outrage.)
“People, when they have friends like that, they are truly blessed!” the former music executive wrote on August 12, sharing a snap from Henson’s stay. “Everyone comes to Gdas to heal, some people exude healing energy. You @tarajiphenson are one of those people. You make everyone happy just by your presence. Love you babe. Glad you’re back home safe and sound now… but we already miss you… until we meet again baby just love… PS you mean so much to so many people. Keep inspiring us all!!!”
While some of Simmons' followers praised his photo, others launched personal attacks against him and Henson.
“Isn’t he running away from US charges?” one user commented, to which another responded: “He’s not running away from anything, he built a resort in Bali.”
“Let's not forget why she left the country and has no plans to return,” wrote another. “Taraji lost me when she was on the fake SSA.” [sic] Phone call with the CURRENT VP talking about being on these streets”
Simmons moved to Bali in 2018 following multiple allegations of rape, sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct. He has denied the allegations and insists his move does not mean he is avoiding legal action, Complex reported.
Simmons was again accused of sexual assault in a lawsuit in February, when a former Def Jam music video producer accused him of raping her in his Manhattan apartment during the 1990s. That same month in Bali, Simmons was served with papers in a defamation lawsuit filed by writer, producer and activist Drew Dixon.
“People telling me I can’t go home when I’m there all the time, it just makes me tired,” Simmons told AllHipHop in May. “After a while, I get tired of hearing the same story, which is false. I’m always in L.A., I’m always in New York and Miami. And I’ve never had any reason to feel unsafe in America.”
But Simmons' response to Henson's backlash on Tuesday didn't sit well with many.
“Shut up Russell please,” responded user @nwonewssparrow, who posted an old image of Simmons posing with Trump.
“Aww so Hollywood and their Democrat friends have turned on Russell Simmons and instead of calling them out he’s blaming the black community… wait a minute,” tweeted user X @HarrietEve9.
“It makes you look even more guilty,” reads a gif posted by another user.
Representatives for Henson and Simmons did not immediately respond to The Times' requests for comment Wednesday.
