Russell Simmons made a significant move to Bali in 2018, but he wants to clarify that it’s not a way of avoiding allegations of sexual misconduct from the past. The founder of Def Jam Recordings spoke out in a recent statement to AllHipHop, addressing rumors that he is unable to freely return to the United States, which he calls “false.”
Simmons emphasized that he is frequently present in Los Angeles, New York, and Miami, stating, “People saying that I somehow can’t come home when I’m there all the time wears on you.” He also mentioned that he has no intention of residing in New York again, highlighting that he had lived in California for nine years before moving to Bali, where he currently pays non-resident state taxes.
Despite facing accusations of sexual assault and harassment from multiple women, Simmons has consistently denied these claims. One of his accusers, music executive Drew Dixon, alleged that Simmons raped her in 1995. This serious accusation was detailed in the HBO documentary “On the Record” released in 2020. Dixon has also sued Simmons for defamation, a legal action that Simmons has moved to dismiss.