In the midst of swirling rumors and online criticism surrounding his daughter Aoki Lee Simmons’ alleged romance with 65-year-old restaurateur Vittorio Assaf, music mogul Russell Simmons is standing by her side with a message of love and support.
The 21-year-old Aoki was recently spotted sharing a kiss with Assaf during a vacation in St. Barts, sparking a wave of backlash and judgment from internet users over their significant age gap. While some fans expressed concern and disapproval, others defended Aoki’s right to choose her own relationships. Despite the online scrutiny, Aoki has chosen to keep the details of her relationship with Assaf private, referring to him as a friend during an Instagram Live chat with her followers. While the speculation continues to swirl, Aoki has not directly addressed the criticism she has faced.
Meanwhile, in a heartwarming gesture of support, Russell Simmons took to Instagram to share a throwback photo from a past Father’s Day celebration with Aoki. In the caption, he said, “Throw back from last fathers day nyc …bode bikram yoga express class .. vegan lunch cryotherapy vitamin drip … all around amazing day aokileesimmons love vou always im always waiting for any call any time.”
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More On Akko’s Alleged Relationship With Vittorio Assaf:
According to a source who spoke with @PEOPLE, Aoki and Assaf are said to be “enjoying each others’ company.”
Neither of them have publicly confirm the status of their relationship. As Aoki continues to navigate the complexities of fame and public attention, she can take solace in the unwavering support of her father and the knowledge that she is valued and cherished, no matter the circumstances.
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