"Did Russell Simmons Just Claim He’s the Original ‘Fortune Teller’ Behind Kimora Lee’s Stardom?"
Added on April 13, 2026 inFree Entertainment News
Numerology Meets Netflix: Get Your Daily Dose of Cosmic Cinema Suggestions Powered By Our AI Astrologer. Find The Show Or Movie You Were Meant To See!
Then Join Our FREE Newsletter To Watch Your Choice Of Movies And Shows For FREE Plus Get The Latest Entertainment News And Updates!
In the cosmic drama of celebrity life, where fortunes are made and lost faster than a shooting star, Russell Simmons has recently stepped into the spotlight with some bold claims about Baby Phat and his ex-wife, Kimora Lee. Can the astrological stars align to influence the ebb and flow of personal empires? Apparently, Simmons believes he holds the playbook to Kimora’s famous brand, asserting his role in its success while Kimora herself questions the ownership stakes she held. Their heated exchange, ignited on social media after Kimora’s candid podcast revelations, shines a light on the complexities of their fractured relationship, underscored by some serious financial chasms. As the sun moves through the houses, perhaps it’s time to ponder: How much of our success is truly ours, and how much is tied to the past connections we choose to embrace—or disentangle from? Buckle up, because this saga is far from over!
Russell Simmons says that he was responsible for the success of the brand, Baby Phat, and that he made his ex-wife, Kimora Lee, famous. He made the remark on Instagram after Kimora discussed the sale of Baby Phat on the Aspire With Emma Grede podcast.
At one point during the interview, Kimora explained that she didn’t own a fair portion of the business, noting that her ex-husband and his friends controlled stakes as well. “You live and you learn, I probably made — I think we ended up selling … it for 100-and-something million dollars. I probably got $20 million of that, or less. And the entire sale was based on Baby Phat,” Simmons said. She added that she also “missed all of the preliminary conversations” about the sale. “I wasn’t privy to the fact that these [conversations] took place,” she claimed.
Commenting on the clip on Instagram, Simmons later countered her claims. “I gave her the brand, which already existed, I put her in baby phat leather shorts the day we met. I found designers / made her famous and marketed the brand with her face. Eventually she learned and blossomed. She did a good job BUT NOTE ..Very generous of me,” he wrote.
The Kellwood Company acquired Baby Phat back in 2004, with The New York Times reporting that the sale went for $140 million. In 2019, Kimora announced that she reacquired the company.
Russell and Kimora’s back-and-forth on social media comes as their relationship has been in a fractured state in the public eye. They were married from 1998 to 2009. Last month, Kimora decided to officially drop Simmons from her name. “Kimora’s decision to change her name legally—back to Kimora Lee—is rooted in a commitment to clarity and ownership,” a statement reads. “… While some areas of her business and brand portfolio will reflect this evolution, she welcomes the transition as an opportunity to move forward with greater intention and cohesion.”
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
![Pin It](javascript:imwb_teepress_window_open('https://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=https://iconoclasmic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Iconoclasmic_logo movie small.jpg&url={URL}&description="Did Russell Simmons Just Claim He’s the Original ‘Fortune Teller’ Behind Kimora Lee’s Stardom?"', 'https%3A%2F%2Ficonoclasmic.com%2Fdid-russell-simmons-just-claim-hes-the-original-fortune-teller-behind-kimora-lees-stardom%2F')){kind=link}