Home / Arts and Entertainment / Tyra Banks Tried to Stop My Romance: Kimora Lee
Tyra Banks Tried to Stop My Romance: Kimora Lee
19 Sep
Summary
- Tyra Banks allegedly tried to prevent Kimora Lee from seeing Russell Simmons.
- Lee met Simmons at 16, he was 18 years older and sent large flower arrangements.
- Lee married Simmons in 1998; Banks was a bridesmaid, later estranged from Lee.
In an upcoming Lifetime documentary, Kimora Lee recounts how fellow supermodel Tyra Banks attempted to interfere with her early romantic pursuits. Lee, now 51, shared that during her burgeoning modeling career in the mid-'90s, Banks allegedly kept her at her apartment for a weekend to prevent her from receiving messages from music executive Russell Simmons.
Lee, who was 16 when she met Simmons (who was 18 years her senior), initially felt Banks was being "hating." She later speculated Banks's actions might have stemmed from past experiences with Simmons. Despite this, Lee eventually married Simmons in 1998, with Banks serving as a bridesmaid.
The couple had two daughters, but their relationship was tumultuous, with Lee describing Simmons as verbally abusive. They separated in 2006 and divorced in 2009. In recent years, Simmons has faced sexual assault allegations, which he denies. Lee and Banks have reportedly not spoken in years.
