Russell Simmons urges fans to stop attacking celebs in Bali

Music mogul Russell Simmons has faced allegations of sexual misconduct from at least 15 women since the onset of the MeToo movement in late 2017. In a recent social media post, Simmons defended himself, emphasizing his contributions to the Black community, including his efforts to help 10,000 Black men avoid incarceration. He expressed frustration over the public scrutiny faced by his friends who visit him, urging critics to reconsider their stance while pointing out the hypocrisy of their support for figures like Donald Trump. Simmons, who relocated to Southeast Asia following the allegations, asserted that he is not in hiding and plans to return to New York next week. He dismissed the notion that he is avoiding accountability, labeling it as "stupid." In a December interview with Graham Bensinger, Simmons acknowledged past behavior that he described as "crude" but maintained that he has never been violent. He admitted to being involved in "compromising situations" but insisted that the allegations against him are exaggerated. To bolster his claims of innocence, Simmons revealed that he has taken nine lie detector tests since the allegations emerged, stating that the results support his denial of wrongdoing. He criticized the MeToo movement's impact on public perception, arguing that judging actions from decades ago by today's standards is problematic. Simmons remains adamant about his commitment to supporting initiatives that uplift the Black community, reiterating his lifelong dedication to these causes.