Oprah Says Russell Simmons Pressured Her To Withdraw From Sexual Assault Doc About Him

Oprah recently removed herself from the documentary after citing creative differences with its directors.

After recently leaving the upcoming documentary on Russell Simmons' sexual assault allegations because of creative differences with its directors, Oprah Winfrey has shared that Simmons pressured her to withdraw from the film.

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Winfrey was credited as an executive producer on On the Record, but has since removed herself from the documentary and pulled its forthcoming release on Apple TV+. (However, it will be premiering on January 25 at Sundance.) Although Simmons didn't have anything to do with this, Winfrey did admit that the entertainment mogul pressured her to leave the doc.

In a New York Times report, Winfrey said Simmons "reached out multiple times and attempted to pressure me," as well sent hermultiple “frightened” calls and text messages. Simmons also made posts on social media speaking out against Winfrey’s involvement in the project, as well as his accusers.

"I told him directly in a phone call that I will not be pressured either into, or out of, backing this film," Winfrey said to the Times. "I am only going to do what I believe to be the right thing."

On January 10, Winfrey announced that she was leaving the documentary, saying that although she believed the victim (the film is primarily centered on one of Simmons', Drew Dixon), she felt the film was being rushed to Sundance “before I believe it is complete.”

Source: New York Times