Oprah Winfreyhas dropped out as an executive producer on a documentary that delves into sexual misconduct allegations againstRussell Simmons— but not because he pressured her, she says.
The media mogul, 65, spoke toThe New York Timesin an interview published Friday in which she alleged Simmons, 62, tried to convince her to back out of the film, namedOn The Record,as an executive producer. Winfreyultimately did pull out of the film, citing creative differences between herself and the filmmakers.
“He did reach out multiple times and attempted to pressure me,” Winfrey said. “I told him directly in a phone call that I will not be pressured either into, or out of, backing this film.”
She added, “I am only going to do what I believe to be the right thing.”
She added “written accounts and sworn testimony” depicted Simmons as “incapable of being violent toward women with whom he had ongoing highly visible romantic relationships from nearly 40 years back.”
Oprah Winfrey, Russell Simmons.Vera Anderson/WireImage; Stephen Lovekin/Getty
“I have admitted to being a massively unconscious “playboy” which today is appropriately titled “womanizer”. Continuing to live my life honorably as an open book for decades, devoid of any kind of violence against anyone, as has been documented and examined in detail worldwide since the very early days of hip hop, which is my life’s testimony and work,” Simmons continued. “What I won’t do is engage in a shoot-out of attacks and counter-attacks. The social change from today’s activism is more important to the world my daughters will inherit than any dirt from false accusations from nearly 40 years ago.”
TheTimesreported Winfrey sought the counsel of her friend and filmmaker Ava DuVernay, who critiqued the documentary. DuVernay, 47, told the newspaper Winfrey was going to face fallout no matter what her decision turned out to be.
“She’s got Simmons on one side pressuring her, and then she’s got a film on the other side that she doesn’t agree with,” DuVernay said. “So if she walks away from the film she seems like she’s caving to Simmons, and if she stays with the film then she’s putting her name on something that she feels doesn’t quite hit the mark.”
Simmons has vehementlydenied all allegations against him.
They continued, “The #MeToo experiences of Black women deserve to be heard, especially against powerful men, so we will continue with our plans to bring the film to The Sundance Film Festival. This film more than two years in the making, will be our eighth to premiere at Sundance.”
“The film is a beacon of hope for voices that have long been suppressed, and an inspiration for anyone wanting to regain their personal power,” they added.
Simmons previously reached out to Winfrey on Instagram in December, asking her to reconsider her involvement in the documentary.
He also denied allegations that he had “forced” himself on women in his post, writing, “… In closing, I am guilty of exploiting, supporting, and making the soundtrack for a grossly unequal society, but i have never been violent or forced myself on anyone. Still I am here to help support a necessary shift in power and consciousness. Let us get to work on uplifting humanity and put this moment and old narrative behind us.”
On The Recordpremieres at the Sundance Film Festival on Saturday.
source: people.com
