Russell Simmons has a message for daughter Aoki after her 65-year-old boyfriend came out

Aoki Lee Simmons, model, Harvard graduate and daughter of Kimora Lee Simmons and Russell Simmons, recently caused a stir on the Internet when news broke that the 21-year-old was dating restaurateur Vittorio Assaf (65) after they were spotted kissing beach in St. on the Internet Barts. In a live video before their relationship was revealed, Aoki shared how her “boyfriend” surprised her with a trip to a Caribbean island.

Her father didn’t remain silent on this matter and wrote a note to his daughter on Instagram.

“Let’s remember the last Father’s Day in New York… bode bikram yoga express… vegan lunch cryotherapy vitamin drip… amazing day ❤️ @aokileesimmons I love you, I’m always waiting for your call at any time,” he wrote within the caption to a picture of him and Aoki, everyone smiling . It looks as if this was Russell’s way of showing moral support within the face of the criticism Aoki is facing.

However, people within the comments also criticized the struggling entrepreneur and label executive, assuming he was messaging her on social media fairly than calling Aoki and offering her support directly. A social media user who commented on the post said: “Call her even if she doesn’t answer.”

Simmons replied: “What makes you think not? Of course, I call both of my daughters every day.”

Fans could have assumed that the father-daughter duo wasn’t saying anything, given the general public outcry that took place last summer over the entrepreneur cutting off his children financially. Aoki also accused her dad of molestation on social media.

“I’m fed up… I’ve always been a daddy’s girl. You can see it in every photo. But he’s been terrible to me over the years and that’s just the truth,” she said in 2023. “It’s like talking to a cruel child or something, and no, he doesn’t support me financially.” She also accused Simmons of triggering panic attacks, which led to her being prescribed emergency medications.

That said, social media users dug up an old conversation between Aoka and Russell, during which the Harvard grad threatened to rent a sugar daddy if he didn’t increase her allowance.

During the conversation, Simmons looked surprised and asked Aoki to repeat what she said. The model then said she was just joking. “You won’t do anything like that,” Russell said on the time. “God is watching you.”

Kimora also apparently responded to the controversy, sharing a humorous clip of a panda bear dragging her baby with the caption, “Now I’m losing my nerve!”

As for Aoki, she quietly addressed the situation in an Instagram Story. When her phone died, she posted a photo with the caption: “Ugh, now I know why people were calling me.”