In a newly filed courtroom doc, Russell Simmons claims that the 2020 documentary On the Road is defamatory. The movie, made by administrators and producers Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering, dove into allegations of sexual misconduct in opposition to Simmons. It was launched by way of HBO Max.
Simmons and his authorized crew filed their summons with discover in New York’s Supreme Court docket on Tuesday, June 3. Within the doc, they declare that HBO, HBO Max, Kirby Dick, Amy Ziering, and the filmmakers’ firm, Jane Doe Films, “willfully, deliberately, negligently, and/or recklessly, disregarded and/or suppressed proof and knowledge, together with interviews, and over twenty witnesses, that have been supportive and favorable to Plaintiff [Russell W. Simmons], and/or refuted and rebutted the accusations falsely made in opposition to Plaintiff within the movie.”
Simmons and his attorneys additionally cite the difficulties that Dick and Ziering had in getting their movie launched. Initially, Oprah Winfrey was attached as an govt producer, however she eliminated herself from the challenge forward of its Sundance premiere, explaining: “In my view, there may be extra work to be completed on the movie to light up the total scope of what the victims endured and it has develop into clear that the filmmakers and I aren’t aligned in that artistic imaginative and prescient.” Winfrey’s exit additionally meant the movie would not premiere on Apple TV+.
Simmons and his crew point out that they’re in search of $20 million in damages. A full lawsuit is probably going forthcoming.
In a press release shared with Pitchfork, Imran H. Ansari and Carla DiMare, attorneys for Simmons, mentioned: “Russell Simmons has filed a declare of defamation in courtroom relating to the movie On the Report. Regardless of voluminous help for Mr. Simmons within the type of credible data, persuasive proof, witness statements, and requires additional investigation by notable members of the media, politics, and the civil rights motion, the defendants merely disregarded it, and launched, and proceed to re-release globally, a movie that tremendously disparaged and broken Mr. Simmons with salacious and defamatory accusations that he vehemently denies.”
In response, a spokesperson for HBO and HBO Max’s mum or dad firm, Warner Bros. Discovery, mentioned, “We dispute Mr. Simmons’ allegations, stand by the filmmakers and their course of, and can vigorously defend ourselves in opposition to these unfounded allegations.”
On the Report was launched after years of allegations of sexual abuse and harassment in opposition to Russell Simmons. The hip-hop mogul largely denied the allegations, and he won one lawsuit as a result of a lady’s allegations fell past the statute of limitations. After years with out dealing with main lawsuits or allegations, Simmons was sued in 2024 for sexual assault and defamation.
