In the wake of Page Six’s exclusive coverage of 21-year-old Aoki Lee Simmons’ steamy encounter with 65-year-old restaurateur Vittorio Assaf, her father, Russell Simmons, has broken his silence with a heartfelt message to his daughter.

Posting a throwback photo from a past Father’s Day celebration on Instagram, Russell captioned the image with affectionate words for Aoki, expressing his unwavering love and readiness to be there for her at any moment.

While many were taken aback by Russell’s seemingly supportive stance towards his daughter’s relationship with someone nearly his own age, comments on social media reflected skepticism and disbelief.

“Maybe it’s just me but the timing of this post is wrong,” one person commented.

“Looks like she replaced you,” another quipped.

A third person added, “She’s busy gettin the bag like her mom taught her.”

However, Russell’s ex-wife and Aoki’s mother, Kimora Lee Simmons, hinted at her disapproval through a cryptic Instagram Story post featuring a protective mama bear. The model wrote over the obscure video, “On my last nerve right now!” suggesting tensions within the family dynamic.

Reflecting on past conflicts, Russell acknowledged the rifts that have plagued his relationship with his children over the years. The revelation comes in the wake of his daughter Ming Lee Simmons’ decision to honor her mother instead of him on Father’s Day in June 2023, a move that sparked public speculation about family dynamics.

In response to criticisms of his parenting, Russell took to social media with a poignant message, urging observers to consider the complexities of familial relationships. He emphasized the importance of understanding each individual’s journey and the lessons inherent in those experiences.

Russell stated, “Stop telling fathers they should have fought harder to see their children & start asking mothers why he had to fight at all.”

He also shared a second quote, “The father you have is the perfect father for the evolution of your soul and the lessons that you needed to learn in this lifetime.”

However, tensions escalated when Aoki entered the fray, launching a scathing attack on her father through since-deleted messages. Accusing him of past mistreatment, Aoki also shared a muted video of Russell’s heated exchange with her, a moment for which he later expressed remorse.

Amidst the family drama, Aoki’s relationship with Vittorio Assaf has taken center stage, with the couple debuting their romance during a picturesque getaway in St. Bart’s.

Despite Aoki’s typically private stance on her dating life, the public display of affection has drawn significant attention. Notably, Assaf’s previous marriage to model Charlotte Bonstrom ended amidst scandal in 2021, further adding intrigue to his budding romance with Aoki.

Credit: Page Six