Kimora Lee Simmons is looking back at the beginning of her relationship with Russell Simmons and revealing how Tyra Banks tried to intervene.
The 51-year-old model and fashion designer opens up about her former marriage in the new Lifetime documentary Kimora Lee: On Her Own, which premieres Sunday night (September 20).
In a new interview with People, Kimora recalled meeting Russell when she was just 16 years old and he was 18 years older than her.
She also revealed that Tyra, who was her friend at the time, tried to keep her away from him.
How Did Tyra Banks Try to Keep Kimora Lee Away From Russell Simmons?
Kimora said Russell began showing up at her fashion shows and would later come backstage. He also started sending her large flower arrangements.
According to Kimora, Tyra apparently became concerned and tried to intervene.
“I remember Tyra kept me in her apartment through the weekend,” Kimora recalled in the documentary, claiming that Tyra was “trying to avoid me going home and checking my voicemail.”
Looking back now, Kimora believes Tyra was trying to look out for her, though she didn’t see it that way at the time.
“She was trying to protect me,” she told the outlet.
Kimora explained that she initially thought Tyra was getting in the way and questioned what her friend knew about the situation.
“I felt a little bit like she was hating for sure, just because she was getting in my way and getting on my nerves,” she admitted.
Tyra and Kimora remained close enough that Tyra later served as a bridesmaid when Kimora married Russell in 1998. Kimora recently revealed that she and Tyra have not spoken in years.
What Has Kimora Lee Said About Her Marriage to Russell Simmons?
Elsewhere in the interview, Kimora alleged that her relationship with Russell was verbally abusive.
She said that she did not recognize some of the behavior as abusive until later in life.
“I was living in a time when those things were very normal, financial abuse or emotional abuse or whatever,” she reflected.
Kimora and Russell separated in 2006 and finalized their divorce in 2009. They share daughters Ming Lee Simmons and Aoki Lee Simmons.
He seemingly accused Kimora of keeping him from seeing their daughters at the end of last year.
Kimora Lee: On Her Own premieres tonight at 8 p.m. ET on Lifetime.
The post Kimora Lee Says Tyra Banks Tried to Keep Her Away From Russell Simmons When She Was 16 appeared first on Just Jared - Celebrity News, Entertainment News & Photos.