Here's What You Should Know About Russell Simmons' Daughters
Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons Liessner had a very iconic relationship. Their pairing gave the hip hop community somewhat of an ideal to look up to. Honestly, what was more "relationship goals" than the Phat Farm and Baby Phat union? While their marriage only lasted seven years — following a 14-year relationship — the union did result in the births of their two daughters, Ming and Aoki, born in 2000 and 2002, respectively.
The Simmons sisters don't exactly put their entire lives on social media for the world to consume and gawk at (Yes, you, Kardashians), but they do give the masses a clue into what their interests are (somewhere between modeling and activism) and what they enjoy doing with friends and with their famous parents. While on the surface it may seem like Ming and Aoki are completely different, their lives overlap in many ways, including both girls becoming a part of the relaunch of their mom's clothing brand. Talk about keeping it in the family.
Here's everything you need to know about these exciting young women.
Russell Simmons daughters are 'mad' at Oprah
Ming Lee and Aoki Lee Simmons are close in age, so it makes sense that the sisters have spent a lot of time bonding. While they do have other siblings from their mother's relationship with actor Dijimon Hounsou (a brother named Kenzo) and with Goldman Sachs banker Tim Leissner (brothers Wolfe Lee and Gary), they are Russell Simmons' only children.
The two let their loyalty to their father be known when it was revealed that Oprah Winfrey was an early executive producer in the 2020 documentary On the Record, a film focused on sexual assault allegations aimed at their father. Even though Winfrey later pulled out of the project — apparently because of "creative differences" — the Simmons sisters were not okay with her being involved at all.
According to The Shade Room, Aoki posted a picture to her Instagram story of what looked like she and Ming in a heated discussion with the caption: "You don't even know how mad Oprah makes me." Aoki is known for her classic clapbacks, so who's surprised?
Ming and Aoki are the new bosses of Baby Phat
Ming Lee Simmons (pictured left) and sister Aoki Lee Simmons both modeled for the 2019 relaunch of their mom's Baby Phat clothing line. It was hardly their first foray into the fashion industry. At the height of Baby Phat's popularity in the early 2000's, it was common to see Kimora Lee Simmons Leissner (pictured right) walk the runways at the end of her fashion show's with her then-toddlers in tow.
The brand was reportedly shuttered in 2011, but when Simmons Leissner announced Baby Phat's return in March 2019 — on International Women's Day — her babies were set to have their hands all over the project. "It's going to be an ode to the past but then [my daughters] will pick it up where we left off," she told People.
According to a 2019 interview with Teen Vogue, Aoki takes the lead on financial aspects of the business, and Ming helps the design projects. Helicopter parenting apparently isn't part of the mix. "My mom leaves it up to us, not to say that she doesn't do anything, but I think she knows that we got it," Ming said. "If there's ever a dispute, she doesn't get into it. She's like, 'I think you're old enough to figure it out.'"
Russell Simmons' daughters share a tight bond
One glance at each sister's Instagram will tell you that Ming Lee and Aoki Lee Simmons spend their time differently. Ming's page is filled with model-level selfies with friends and family, including her former model mom, Kimora Lee Simmons Leissner. The aspiring fashion designer has collaborated with brands such as Nessy Swimwear, Verizon, and Lexus and graced the pages of Galore magazine. With an Instagram following of more than 1 million, Ming has no problem getting attention, yet she often directs the spotlight toward her kid sister, Aoki. Ming's Instagram bio even reads: "insert whatever inspirational quote my sister has in bio."
Aoki is studying at Harvard University and majoring in government. On social media, Aoki is more likely to share reading recommendations, activist-related content, or her own poetry than glamorous selfies.
Where the two sisters meet in the middle are the many, many, many selfies they take together.
Despite the negative press pertaining to sexual assault allegations involving their father, Russell Simmons, it's clear these bright young women have what it takes to succeed in life.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit RAINN.org for additional resources.