UPDATE: 12/6/2017
Russell Simmons has already decided to step down from his various companies following sexual misconduct accusations. Now, J.C. Penney has pulled his clothing line from stores.
The department-store chain released a statement on Thursday revealing their decision to discontinue selling Simmons’ ArgyleCulture merchandise, reports Bloomberg.
“The company decided to discontinue selling Argyleculture in light of the recent allegations,” a spokeswoman said.
HBO is also distancing itself from the Def Comedy Jam creator, editing his name from its latest installment, All Def Comedy.
“Simmons will not appear in the new series and we will be removing his name from the show moving forward,” read a statement by HBO, obtained by Detroit News. ‘‘We have no other projects with Russell Simmons.”
ORIGINAL STORY: 11/30/2017
Russell Simmons is stepping away from his companies following a second allegation of sexual misconduct, according to the Def Jam co-founder.
His latest accuser, screenwriter Jenny Lumet, claims the hip-hop heavyweight took her to his apartment against her will and forced her to have sex with him “circa 1991.”
“You had a car and a driver that evening. Sometime later, you offered me a ride to my home. I said, sure,” the writer shared with The Hollywood Reporter. “During the making of the RUN DMC movie, I had been in vans with you and other crew members. I don’t recall having accepted a ride home alone with you before that night.”
“At no time that night did I say: ‘Russell, I will go home with you.’ Or, ‘Come home with me.’ Or ‘I will have sex with you.’ Or ‘I have the desire to have sex with you.’”
Lumet went on to claim the revered producer forced himself on her, only now sharing her story after Simmons denied his first accuser’s claims last month.
That first alleged victim claimed Simmons and film director Brett Ratner fondled her against her wishes while in Ratner’s home back in 2001. Just as he did in that case, the yoga enthusiast is addressing the situation head on, releasing this statement obtained by CNN:
“While her memory of that evening is very different from mine, it is now clear to me that her feelings of fear and intimidation are real. While I have never been violent, I have been thoughtless and insensitive in some of my relationships over many decades and I sincerely and humbly apologize. I will step aside and commit myself to continuing my personal growth, spiritual learning and above all to listening.”
