Kimora Lee Simmons Says She Has No Relationship with Her Youngsters’ Fathers: “Guys Are Bizarre”
Kimora Lee Simmons has by no means been shy about talking her thoughts — not in style, not in enterprise, not in motherhood. However in a brand new interview with PEOPLE, the Child Phat founder opened up in probably the most candid methods but, revealing that she really navigates parenting alone. The mogul shared that she has no relationship together with her youngsters’ fathers, a press release that immediately sparked nationwide dialog round single parenting, co-parenting, and the expectations positioned on celeb mothers.
The revelation is hanging not simply due to who Kimora is, however due to how gracefully she has all the time appeared to deal with the huge blended household she’s constructed. With six kids spanning totally different ages, backgrounds, and fathers — together with Russell Simmons, Djimon Hounsou, Tim Leissner, and her adopted son Gary Lee — Kimora has change into one thing of a modern-day matriarch. However behind the scenes, she says, she’s been doing it on her personal.
Kimora’s Profession: From Chanel Mannequin to Trend Empire
Earlier than the world knew her as a mogul, Kimora was a teenage runway star. Signed to Chanel at simply 14, she walked for Fendi, Valentino, and different luxurious maisons. Her peak, presence, and daring look made her probably the most recognizable fashions of her period.
Her true cultural imprint got here in 1999 when she launched Child Phat — a streetwear motion disguised as a clothes line. The model helped outline Y2K style, merging hip-hop aesthetics with female luxurious. Child Phat dominated department shops, music movies, and pink carpets for years, changing into a logo of empowerment and self-expression for younger girls of shade.
At present, Kimora continues to increase Child Phat whereas operating a number of enterprise ventures and mentoring rising designers.
Kimora Says She’s the “Main Father or mother” — With Full-Time Duty
“Often I might say that I co-parent okay, however the youngsters are with me full-time,” she stated. “I’m just about the first mother or father. It’s troublesome, however I don’t know generally what different individuals are pondering. Guys are bizarre.”
The honesty in her phrases hits a nerve. Many single moms — celeb or not — will let you know that co-parenting could be a fragile system. For Kimora, who has constructed an empire whereas elevating a big, blended household, the problem turns into much more intense.
Her assertion that Kimora Lee Simmons has no relationship together with her youngsters’ fathers highlights the emotional and logistical weight she carries day by day. Whereas her kids’s fathers all have distinctive relationships with the general public — from Russell Simmons’ ongoing authorized controversies to Djimon Hounsou’s previous statements about wanting extra entry to his son — Kimora is the fixed thread.
Inside Kimora’s Household: A Trendy, Complicated, and Loving Family
- Ming Lee, 25 (with Russell Simmons)
- Aoki Lee, 23 (with Russell Simmons)
- Kenzo Lee, 16 (with Djimon Hounsou)
- Wolfe Lee, 10 (with Tim Leissner)
- Gary Lee, 16 (adopted from Jamaica in 2020)
- Jayden, 19 (a “bonus son” who has lived with the household since 4th grade)
Whereas the fathers is probably not current, Kimora says her kids stay deeply linked to her and to house.
“Ming and Aoki are older, however I feel they nonetheless really feel very very similar to I’m ‘mother,’ and I feel that’s okay,” she shared. “For positive they’ll come to me. They reside at house, they journey the world, and so they have a spot in New York.”
Kimora’s focus has all the time been on stability — not perfection, not appearances, however real safety for her youngsters. And regardless of the general public fascination together with her exes, the true story is that she has been the emotional spine for each single certainly one of her kids.
Russell Simmons, Djimon Hounsou, Tim Leissner: A Sophisticated Historical past
Every of Kimora’s co-parenting journeys tells its personal story.
Russell Simmons
Kimora married the Def Jam founder in 1998, welcoming daughters Ming and Aoki earlier than divorcing in 2009. Their relationship has confronted public pressure lately attributable to Russell’s authorized controversies and accusations from a number of girls. Kimora’s daughters, particularly Aoki, have publicly challenged their father on social media, including additional layers to the sophisticated dynamic.
Djimon Hounsou
Kimora shares son Kenzo with the Blood Diamond actor. Hounsou has beforehand voiced frustrations about custody preparations, although Kimora has remained comparatively quiet on the matter.
Tim Leissner
Kimora’s youngest organic son, Wolfe, is from her relationship with former Goldman Sachs banker Tim Leissner — who has since been sentenced to jail after pleading responsible in a large bribery and money-laundering scheme. Their relationship formally unraveled years prior, however their authorized connections proceed.
Kimora additionally just lately filed a lawsuit claiming $93 million in shares forfeited throughout Leissner’s felony case had been truly hers. Their state of affairs, maybe greater than some other, highlights how turbulent co-parenting can change into when authorized and monetary chaos overshadow household unity.
Regardless of all of this, Kimora stays centered. Her option to reveal that Kimora Lee Simmons has no relationship together with her youngsters’ fathers is just not a grievance — it’s a declaration of actuality and power.
Kimora: Again within the Fab Lane — Her Return to Actuality TV
After years out of the highlight, Kimora’s return with the revived sequence Kimora: Again within the Fab Lane indicators each nostalgia and renewal. The present, which helped outline early 2000s actuality TV, provides followers an up to date take a look at her life as a businesswoman, mom, mentor, and style powerhouse.
This reboot arrives at a time when followers are leaning into genuine storytelling — particularly from celebrities who formed popular culture. Kimora is certainly one of them, and her honesty about her household life provides depth to the renewed fan curiosity.
Co-Parenting in Hollywood: How Different Stars Navigate the Problem
Hollywood is stuffed with households making an attempt to navigate love, breakups, blended parenting, and public stress. Whereas Kimora Lee Simmons has no relationship together with her youngsters’ fathers, different celebrities have cast totally different paths — some cooperative, some bumpy, all human.
Cardi B and Offset
Cardi B and Offset’s co-parenting journey has been probably the most public in current celeb historical past. The 2 first started courting in 2017 and welcomed three kids collectively: daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus, son Wave Set Cephus, and daughter Blossom.
Their relationship was famously on-again, off-again, and in July 2024, Cardi B filed for divorce from Offset, a course of that continued by way of 2025. Regardless of their romantic cut up, each artists have publicly navigated co-parenting their three youngsters. Cardi has emphasised her function as a gift mother, even amid private {and professional} transitions.
Iman Shumpert and Teyana Taylor
As soon as certainly one of Hollywood’s favourite {couples}, Teyana and Iman shocked followers after they separated. Regardless of the breakup, Teyana has praised Iman’s involvement as a father and made it clear their co-parenting relationship stays sturdy and wholesome.
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian
Whereas their relationship has been turbulent, Kim has maintained that she places the youngsters’ well-being first. Their co-parenting journey stays sophisticated however ongoing.
In an trade stuffed with shifting relationships and chaotic schedules, co-parenting seems to be totally different in each family. Kimora’s state of affairs displays one of many tougher variations — navigating a number of fathers, authorized battles, estrangement, and emotional distance.
Kimora’s Energy: “If I Wasn’t This Particular person, We Wouldn’t Be Okay”
Some of the highly effective quotes from Kimora’s interview is her acknowledgment of the duty she carries:
“If I wasn’t this individual, I don’t know if we might’ve made it or if we might be okay. It’s been crucial to me to be sturdy and self-reliant, and to continuously be rising.”
Her phrases illustrate what many see: that her kids’s stability, success, and unity exist due to her management — not the involvement of their fathers.
A Mom First, All the time
Regardless of every part, Kimora stays hopeful, grounded, and fiercely protecting of her household. She stands because the emotional and logistical heart of her family, a job she embraces with pleasure and resilience.
Her revelation that Kimora Lee Simmons has no relationship together with her youngsters’ fathers doesn’t come from bitterness — it comes from fact. And in a tradition obsessive about celeb relationships, her honesty presents one thing refreshing: a reminder that actual parenting occurs away from cameras, courtroom drama, and headlines.
Kimora has constructed her empire, raised her kids, and carried her household by way of storms — all whereas remaining probably the most iconic figures in style and popular culture. And thru all of it, she continues to face tall, displaying that power, independence, and love are the true foundations of her legacy.
