The 21-year-old model is photographed attending the Columbia Law Gala in New York City with her friends after enjoying a St. Barts getaway with her 65-year-old restaurateur boyfriend.
- Apr 8, 2024
AceShowbiz - Aoki Lee Simmons, the 21-year-old model and daughter of Kimora Lee Simmons and Russell Simmons, appears to be unfazed after coming under fire for her relationship with 65-year-old restaurateur Vittorio Assaf.
Aoki stepped out without her much older boyfriend on Sunday, April 7. She attended the Columbia Law Gala in New York City with her friends after her shocking romance with the businessman was exposed to the public.
Despite the 44-year age gap, Simmons has been spotted kissing Assaf on a recent vacation in St. Barts. A source close to the model told PEOPLE that they are "spending time together and enjoying each others' company."
On Instagram, Simmons has shared photos from the getaway without mentioning Assaf. However, she has commented on the backlash over their relationship, posting a photo of herself on the beach with the caption, "Happy, healthy, did some beach."
In a subsequent Instagram Story, she acknowledged the public attention, writing, "Errr well now I know why folks were calling me."
Simmons previously addressed criticism over her relationship with a younger, white man in 2023. She defended her choice, stating that she understood the public's reaction but found it "sad" that people would make negative comments based on race.
Meanwhile, Simmons' parents have had different reactions to her new love interest. Kimora reposted a video of a protective mother panda pulling away her cub with her teeth and wrote, "On my last nerve right now!" Russell, on the other hand, shared a throwback photo with his daughter and expressed his unconditional love for her.
Assaf, the founder of the Serafina Restaurant Group, was previously married to former model Charlotte Bonstrom. They split in 2021, and Assaf was later linked to 22-year-old model Nya Gatbe.
