Russell Simmons Demands $100 Million and Apology from HBO

Russell Simmons has a serious grievance with HBO and he's making it public. This week, the co-founder of Def Jam stepped into the spotlight demanding not only a hefty apology but also $100 million from the network.

In a striking post on Threads, he declared, “HBO you owe me 100s of millions of dollars. I need my bread, for all my charities and family members, specifically my children. You know what you did was horrific and malicious. You can’t hide. Ask Oprah or anyone [who’s] ever looked at the evidence (available in suit). You intentionally suppressed all of it. I want apology and 100 million. … Time to pay.”

While the exact reasons behind Simmons' demand remain somewhat of a mystery, it’s worth noting that in June he filed a lawsuit against HBO for a staggering $20 million. This lawsuit, positioned in New York state court, claims defamation surrounding the documentary On The Record, directed by Amy Ziering and Kirby Dick.

In his lawsuit, Simmons contends that critical evidence that could absolve him from sexual assault allegations was deliberately omitted from the documentary. This purported evidence comprises over 20 witness interviews that challenge the damaging narrative that has enveloped him over the years. He claims this evidence was shared with high-ranking officials at the parent company, Warner Media, and HBO, yet dismissed.

Simmons’ legal team believes the documentary producers neglected information that would have emerged through proper journalistic practices, including the results from nine polygraph tests supporting Simmons’ claims.

Following the filing of the lawsuit, HBO’s representatives released a response, staunchly denouncing Simmons’ allegations and standing firmly behind the filmmakers and their work, affirming that they will “vigorously defend” against what they characterize as unfounded accusations.