Kimora Lee Simmons is opening up about where she stands with the fathers of of her children.
In a recent interview with PEOPLE, the fashion icon shared that she does not have a relationships with her exes, explaining that she has been the consistent parent in her children’s lives and that they live with her full time.
“Usually I would say that I co-parent okay, but the kids are with me full-time,” says Simmons. “I’m pretty much the primary parent. It’s difficult, but I don’t know sometimes what other people are thinking. Guys are weird.”
Simmons is mom to daughters Ming Lee, 25, and Aoki Lee, 23, whom she shares with ex-husband Russell Simmons. She also shares son Kenzo Lee, 16, with actor Djimon Hounsou and son Wolfe Lee, 10, with former banker Tim Leissner. She later adopted son Gary Lee, 16, and is also a bonus mom to Jayden, 19.
The entrepreneur credited her close circle of family and friends for helping her raise her children, noting that motherhood has always been second nature to her. Now single, Simmons said her life has never been driven by romantic relationships, but by showing up consistently for her family.
“I’m always ‘the mom,’ ” Simmons said. “I mother people all around me. When I hear people say to me, ‘I’ve come to you as a mom or best friend in my head,’ that’s what I live for.”
She added that even as her daughters have grown older, she remains their main source of support.
“Ming and Aoki are older, but I think they still feel very much like I’m ‘mom,’ and I think that’s okay,” she said. “For sure they can come to me. They live at home, they travel the world and they have a place in New York.”
After Simmons’ comments made headlines, Russell Simmons, 68, responded publicly on Threads, writing that there are “two sides to every story.” He claimed that he has been fighting to maintain a relationship with daughters Ming and Aoki.
“I gave u 50,000 a month for 20 years,” Russell wrote. “I was ur best /only friend. I’m the godfather to your other 3 kids, until one day you stole my stock.”
“I have been fighting for my kids love and my bread ever since,” he continued. “You threatened that if I sued you, I would never speak to my kids again. There are two sides to every story.”
Kimora later addressed his comments directly, stressing that their daughters are adults and encouraging him to focus elsewhere.
“My “girls” are GROWN WOMEN! You know these are lies. Why are you typing from thousands of miles away in a non extradition country? Go negotiate and Answer your Accusers.”
You can catch Kimora, her kids, and all their drama on new E! series Kimora: Back in the Fab Lane.
