Kimora Lee Simmons admits she was ’embarrassed’ by the photos of her daughter, 21, kissing millionaire restaurateur Vittorio Assaf – who is 44 years her senior – claiming Aoki was ‘SET UP’
Kimora Lee Simmons has admitted she was ’embarrassed’ by photos of her daughter, 21, kissing a man 44 years her senior – and claimed Aoki was ‘set up’.
Last month, Aoki — the daughter of music mogul Russell Simmons and designer Kimora — was spotted hugging 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 short-lived romance – with reports emerging that they had split just days later – saying she wasn’t happy when she saw the photos.
“I felt a little embarrassed,” she said TMZwhen asked about Aoki’s scandalous tryst.
Kimora Lee Simmons has admitted she was ’embarrassed’ by photos of her daughter, 21, kissing a man 44 years her senior – and claimed Aoki was ‘set up’
Last month, Aoki — the daughter of music mogul Russell Simmons and designer Kimora — was spotted hugging 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 short-lived romance, saying she wasn’t happy when she saw the photos. She saw them last year
Kimora also insisted the relationship was nothing serious, describing Vittorio as a “toad.”
She even theorized that Aoki was “set up,” explaining, “She’s a young, beautiful girl and we don’t think the toads we kiss will be dispatched.”
“Personally, I feel like she’s been framed, and that’s why I’m trying [warn] my girls. There’s definitely an age dynamic and I just feel like she’s been trapped a little bit.”
Ultimately, however, Kimora insisted that she would support her daughter’s decisions no matter what.
“I was also like, ‘It is what it is, honey, mommy has your back,'” she concluded.
Photos of Aoki and Vittorio packing on the PDA in the Caribbean first surfaced online on April 6.
The pair frolicked on the beach and splashed around in the water, at one point pausing the fun to lock lips.
She showed off her lithe curves in a multi-colored string bikini, while the mogul wore a blue and white swimsuit.
She even theorized that Aoki was “set up,” explaining, “Personally, I feel like she was set up.” There’s definitely an age dynamic and I just feel like she’s kind of trapped’
After the photos came out, Aoki’s father Russell (seen with Kimora and their daughters in 2005) spoke out about the coupling to TMZ, saying: ‘I’m not going to kick and scream about her choices’
Kimora added at the time, “All I can do is offer my advice and 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 in St. Barts.
Afterwards, Aoki’s father Russell spoke about the bizarre coupling TMZstating, ‘I’m not going to kick and scream about her choices.’
She also insisted that the relationship – which has since ended – was nothing serious, describing Vittorio as a “path.” 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 unconditional love.’ The former couple also share daughter Ming, 24.
Just two days after the photos emerged, news emerged that Aoki and Vittorio had ended their relationship.
“It’s 100 percent ready. They are definitely not dating,” a source said Page six.
The insider also emphasized to the outlet that the beauty is not materialistic and described claims that she dated him because of his wealth as “absurd.”
“She’s not even like that. She doesn’t care about jewelry. She doesn’t have Hermes. She disagrees,” they shared.
“She doesn’t even care about such expensive things. She’s more of a nerd.’
Earlier this week, Aoki joined her mother and sister at the 25th Anniversary Smile Train Gala in New York City.
Aoki put on a little black dress for the evening, with long, long sleeves and a floppy black satin bow across her chest.
The gaze stopped at the tops of her thighs, putting the spotlight on the 6-foot model’s long legs. She covered them up with black tights and wore classic black pumps.