Russell Simmons ‘Truly Shocked’ by Sexual Assault Allegations
Russell Simmons is facing new allegations that he sexually assaulted a 17-year-old model while film producer Brett Ratner watched and did nothing.
Model Keri Claussen Khalighi detailed to the Los Angeles Times the disturbing assault that happened one night in 1991. The now 43-year-old alleged victim claims that Simmons and Ratner took her out to dinner and brought her back to Simmons’ apartment to show her a music video they had been working on. Khalighi said that Simmons was making inappropriate advances toward her throughout the night before ripping her clothes off and raping her while Ratner watched.
“I looked over at Brett and said, ‘Help me,’ and I’ll never forget the look on his face,” she told the LATimes. “In that moment, the realization fell on me that they were in it together.”
Khalighi said that she felt so disgusted after her encounter that she went to take a shower, only to be raped again by Simmons in the shower. "Minutes later, she alleged, Simmons walked up behind her in the shower and briefly penetrated her without her consent. She said she jerked away, then he left. 'It hurt so much.'"
Simmons has released a statement on his social media accounts denying Khalighi's allegations.
"I completely and unequivocally deny the horrendous allegations of non-consensual sex against me with every fiber of my being," he wrote. “Everything that occurred between us 26 years ago was completely consensual and with Keri’s full participation.”
"I'm deeply saddened and truly shocked to learn of Keri's assertions as to what happened over the course that weekend," he continued. "Let me be crystal clear and very direct. Abusing women in any way shape or form violates the very core of my being."
After the LATimes article starting going viral, actor Terry Crews, who claims he was sexually assaulted by a Hollywood agent, posted on Twitter an e-mail that Russell Simmons sent to him regarding his sexual assault case. In the letter, the 60-year-old rap mogul asked Crews to give the agent "a pass" and "ask that he be reinstated."
News of Simmnons' alleged sexual assault has sparked various reactions from people on Twitter.
"Russell Simmons began dating Kimora when she was 17 and he was 35 so the only thing that shocks me is that there are not more victims tbh," wrote one person. Another user tweeted, "Damn now Russell Simmons being accused?! Smh Hollywood is just all Fucked up right now."
Check out people's reactions on Twitter below.