Kimora Lee Simmons admitted she was “embarrassed” by photos of her daughter, 21, kissing a man 44 years her senior, and claimed Aoki was “deceived”.
Last month, Aoki, daughter of music mogul Russell Simmons and designer Kimora, was spotted kissing Serafina Restaurant Group founder Vittorio Assaf, 65, while on the beach in St. Barts.
Now, Kimora has spoken out about her daughter’s controversial, short-lived romance, with reports emerging that they had split just days later, and she said she was unhappy when she saw the photos.
“I was a little embarrassed,” she said. TMZwhen asked about Aoki’s scandalous date.
Kimora Lee Simmons admitted she was “embarrassed” by photos of her daughter, 21, kissing a man 44 years her senior, and claimed Aoki was “deceived”.
Last month, Aoki, daughter of music mogul Russell Simmons and designer Kimora, was spotted kissing Serafina Restaurant Group founder Vittorio Assaf, 65, while on the beach in St. Barts.
Now, Kimora has spoken out about her daughter’s controversial and brief romance and said that she was not happy when she saw the images. She was seen last year.
Kimora also insisted that the relationship was nothing serious and described Vittorio as a ‘toad’.
He even theorized that Aoki had been set up, explaining, “She’s a pretty young girl and we don’t think the frogs we kiss are going to be passed on.”
“Personally I feel like they set him up, that’s why I try to [warn] my girls. “There’s definitely an age dynamic there and I feel like she was misled a little bit.”
However, in the end, Kimora insisted that she would support her daughter’s decisions no matter what.
“I also thought, ‘It is what it is, honey, mom has your back,'” he concluded.
Snaps of Aoki and Vittorio packing on the PDA in the Caribbean first hit the web on April 6.
The couple frolicked on the beach and splashed in the water, stopping the fun to kiss at one point.
She showed off her lithe shape in a multicolored string bikini, while the mogul sported a blue and white swimsuit.
He even theorized that Aoki had been set up, explaining, “I personally feel like she was set up.” There’s definitely an age dynamic there and I feel like she was misled a little.’
After the photos came out, Aoki’s father, Russell (seen with Kimora and their daughters in 2005), spoke about the couple with TMZ, saying, “I’m not going to kick and scream about their choices.”
Kimora added at the time, “All I can do is offer my advice and my unconditional love.” Kimora is seen this week with Aoki and her other daughter Ming, 24.
Aoki also referred to Vittorio as her ‘boyfriend’ during an Instagram Live while in St. Barts.
Afterwards, Aoki’s father, Russell, spoke about the odd couple. TMZstating, “I’m not going to kick and scream about your choices.”
He also insisted that the relationship, which has since ended, was nothing serious and described Vittorio as a “toad”. She and Aoki are seen together in November.
Kimora, who was married to Russell from 1998 to 2009, added at the time: “All I can do is offer my advice and my unconditional love.” The former couple also shares daughter Ming, 24.
Just two days after the photos surfaced, news hit the web that Aoki and Vittorio had ended their relationship.
‘It’s 100 percent done. “They are not dating at all,” a source said. Page six.
The source also insisted to the outlet that beauty is not materialistic and described claims that she was dating him because of his wealth as “absurd.”
‘She’s not even like that. She doesn’t care about jewelry. She doesn’t have Hermes. “It’s not even her,” they shared.
‘She doesn’t even care about expensive things like that. She’s more of a geek.
Earlier this week, Aoki joined his mother and sister at the Smile Train 25th Anniversary Gala in New York City.
Aoki donned a little black dress for the evening, which featured long sleeves and a black satin bow across her chest.
The gaze lingered on her upper thighs, highlighting the 5-foot-11 model’s long legs. She covered them with black stockings and wore classic black heels.
