Only In Hollywood---A "Unique" Celebrity Relationship

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

07 Mar 2007 07:15 AM

Call me old-fashioned... or a prude. Call me anything you want, and while you're at it could you please explain to me how some celebrity couples continuously get away with redefining the definition of marriage.

Case in point: Mega-mogul Russell Simmons and his estranged wife Kimora Lee Simmons. The couple went public several months ago with the news that they had separated, BUT were still living under the same roof, raising their children together, and working side-by-side one another (Kimora heads the Baby Phat offshoot of Simmons's Phat Farm clothing label). So to recap: they work together, parent together, and live together---yet they are separated. Separated from what? It certainly seems they aren't physically separated from each other. Then again...

According to PEOPLE magazine, Kimora Lee Simmons has been spending a lot of time recently with Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou. In fact, the magazine reports the 31-year-old model-turned-fashion-designer and the 42-year-old actor have been spotted holding hands, kissing, and snuggling at various L.A. hot spots.

A rep for Kimora is keeping mum. However, there is someone who's talking about the budding romance between the two---Russell Simmons.

Kimora's "estranged" husband (did I mention the pair still live together) had this to say about Hounsou:

"He's a wonderful guy, a very sweet guy. I want Kimora to be happy no matter what."

Simmons wouldn't detail the pair's romantic status, but did say: "I don't know what they're doing, but he's a nice guy. She'd better be happy. He's one of the sweetest guys in the world."

Okay, let me try to read between the lines here.

Simmons: "I want Kimora to be happy no matter what."

Translation: "Djimon, please, propose to her so I can get her out of my house."

Simmons: "I don't know what they're doing, but he's a nice guy."

Translation: "Brother, she's all yours."

Simmons met Kimora when she was 17 and about to finish high school, the rap mogul was then 35 and a self-admitted ladies man. The pair married six years later and had two daughters, Ming Lee Simmons, now 6, and Aoki Lee Simmons, who's 3. Last year the couple "separated" and Simmons released this statement:

"We're best friends and partners. Kimora and I will remain committed parents and caring friends with great love and admiration for each other. We will also continue to work side by side on a daily basis as partners in all of our businesses."

Okay, let's review: Russell and Kimora are "best friends," "committed parents," and "business partners" who have "great love and admiration for each other." YET, they are separated... and dating other people, BUT they live under the same roof (I should qualify that by saying they live in a 20,000 square-foot mansion--so they could be living under the same roof, but in different wings).

Perhaps, it's just easier this way. Divorces can be so messy--especially when you are business partners of a multi-million dollar company. Though, what I think is even messier is explaining to a six-and-three-year-old why it's okay that mommy and daddy are kissing other people...

Related Articles:

The Hollywood Split That Makes You Go Hmmm?

Hollywood's Relationship Carousel

Celebrity Activists Go "Red" and "Green"

Are They Or Aren't They?

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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Libby Pelham (12876) 07 Mar 2007 07:31 AM

Sounds a bit like Demi and Bruce to me. Hey, I think Sonny and Cher shared the same house for a while after their separation too. I dunno - maybe it is better for the kids that both are around - at least for a bit longer. Maybe they are trying to avoid the inevitable - how much money Kimora will get after the divorce. Who knows?

Michele Cheplic (37339) 10 Mar 2007 06:45 AM

And Brad Garrett did as well... I just can't seem to figure these celebrity-types out!! :)