Russell Simmons and his daughter Aoki had a pretty public argument last week, and now the music mogul has apologized and given both of his kids some advise.
A family squabble broke out after the co-founder of Def Jam objected to his oldest daughter Ming wishing his ex-wife and children’s mother, Kimora Lee, a Happy Father’s Day on Instagram on Sunday (June 18). Kimora and his youngest daughter Aoki then started attacking him online.
In addition to apologizing to his children on Monday night (June 19), Simmons said on Instagram that he thought they were experiencing “growing pains” and advised them to “smile and breathe” through the “adversity and struggle.”
He commented, “God is testing you a little bit, it’s ok, be strong… they are called growing pains,” next to a picture of Ming and Aoki. “Reach back to past lessons and remember to recall’smile and breathe’ [heart emoji]’smile and breathe.'” “As you know, we learn through difficulty and suffering. You read my books and heard me lecture your whole life.
“You are the watchers of this planet,” he added, “so let go and be at ease. God is working on you while he is driving [heart emoji]. I’m truly sorry for becoming angry and ranting, but please know that my love for you guys has no conditions. In fact, I probably love you guys more than I love myself.
The family turmoil began early on Sunday when Ming Simmons, Kimora Simmons’ oldest daughter, posted a Father’s Day message on her Instagram Story. Simmons responded to his experience by uploading a meme with the statement: “Stop telling fathers they should have fought harder to see their children and start asking mothers why he had to fight at all.” Simmons’ message was not exactly subtle.
The next day, Kimora used Instagram Live to vent about her ex-husband. The Baby Phat mogul said, among other things, that despite having blocked Simmons for some time, he continues to post on social media as if they are close. Aoki, their youngest child, then joined in, sharing some less-than-kind texts from her father and even a muted video where he appeared to