Oprah Winfrey Says Russell Simmons ‘Attempted to Pressure’ Her to Drop Rape Accusers’ Doc From Apple Slate

HBO Max has acquired U.S. rights to Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering’s documentary On the Record. The film presents the stories of several women who have accused producer Russell Simmons of sexual assault, including music executive Drew Dixon.

Following a thunderstorm of Oprah Winfrey-related controversy and a successful Sundance Film Festival premiere, “On the Record” has secured domestic distribution at HBO Max.

Inventor Nikolai Tesla is more popular today than when he died penniless in a New York hotel in 1943. Back then, he was the futurist who swore he could summon unlimited, clean, wireless electromagnetic energy from the earth — a neat idea, but surely coal and oil were fine.

In “The Glorias,” Julie Taymor’s pinpoint timely yet rousingly old-fashioned biopic about the life and times of Gloria Steinem, the legendary feminist leader is portrayed by four different actresses at four different stages of her life.

“On the Record,” a devastating look at many of the women who came forward to accuse music mogul Russell Simmons of rape and harassment, premiered to not one, but two thunderous standing ovations at the Sundance Film Festival on Saturday. The warm reception came as the film has become engulfed in a media firestorm, one sparked by Oprah Winfrey’s decision to remove herself from the project as executive producer.

Alexia Norton Jones, one of the alleged victims of Russell Simmons who appears in “On the Record,” a new documentary about sexual misconduct from the music mogul, couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

If you know anything about Ming Lee Simmons and Aoki Lee Simmons, you know that they do not play any games when it comes to their family. The two daughters of Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee are absolutely not here for Oprah Winfrey these days—following her previous involvement in a documentary about their dad.

Oprah Winfrey insists her exit from an upcoming documentary detailing the sex assault allegations against Russell Simmons should not be considered a “victory lap” for the disgraced music mogul.

Following Oprah Winfrey's decision to withdraw from executive producing a film on allegations of sexual misconduct in the music industry, the media mogul is opening up about what led her to back out.

LOS ANGELES (Variety.com) – Oprah Winfrey explained her decision to step away from “On the Record,” an expose about sexual harassment in the music industry, including women who have accused mogul Russell Simmons of misconduct. The documentary, from filmmakers Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering, will premiere at Sundance on Jan. 25.

Earlier this month it was revealed that Oprah Winfrey had stepped down as a producer on the documentary that features women that have accused Russell Simmons of sexual harassment. Now Oprah is opening up more about her decision and reiterates her decision had nothing to do with being pressured.

By Patrick Hipes

Oprah Winfrey said Friday that Russell Simmons attempted to pressure her about her involvement with a documentary in which several women detail sexual abuse allegations against the rap mogul, but his efforts were not what prompted her to leave the project.

Russell Simmons tried to force Oprah Winfrey out of working on the documentary about his sexual assault allegations but it wasn't his efforts that caused her to ditch the project, the television icon has revealed.

By Bruce Haring

Oprah Winfrey has hit back after a report claimed she advised Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex on their decision to step down as senior members of Britain’s royal family.