Kimora Lee Simmons has admitted that she was ’embarrassed’ by the photos of her daughter, 21, kissing a man 44 years her senior – and claimed Aoki was ‘set up.’
Last month, Aoki – who is the daughter of music mogul Russell Simmons and designer Kimora – was spotted smooching Serafina Restaurant Group founder Vittorio Assaf, 65, while on the beach in St. Barts.
Now, Kimora has spoken out about her daughter’s controversial and short-lived romance – with reports emerging that they had split just days later – and said she was not pleased when she saw the pictures.
‘I was a little bit embarrassed,’ she told TMZ, when asked about Aoki’s scandalous tryst.
Kimora Lee Simmons has admitted that she was ’embarrassed’ by the photos of her daughter, 21, kissing a man 44 years her senior – and claimed Aoki was ‘set up’
Last month, Aoki – who is the daughter of music mogul Russell Simmons and designer Kimora – was spotted smooching Serafina Restaurant Group founder Vittorio Assaf, 65, while on the beach in St. Barts
Now, Kimora has spoken out about her daughter’s controversial and short-lived romance, and she said she was not pleased when she saw the pictures. She’s seen last year
Kimora also insisted that the relationship wasn’t anything serious, and described Vittorio as a ‘toad.’
She even theorized that Aoki had been ‘set up,’ explaining, ‘She’s a young pretty girl and we don’t think that the toads that we kiss are gonna be broadcasted.
‘I personally feel like she was set up, which is why I try to [warn] my girls. There’s definitely an age dynamic there and I just feel like she was set up a little bit.’
In the end, however, Kimora insisted that she would support her daughter’s decisions no matter what.
‘I was also like, “It is what it is honey, mama’s got your back,”‘ she concluded.
Snaps of Aoki and Vittorio packing on the PDA in the Caribbean first hit the web on April 6.
The pair frolicked on the beach and splashed around in the water, pausing the fun to lock lips at one point.
She showcased her lithe form in a multi-colored string bikini, while the mogul sported a pair of blue and white swim trunks.
She even theorized that Aoki had been ‘set up,’ explaining, ‘I personally feel like she was set up. There’s definitely an age dynamic there and I just feel like she was set up a little bit’
After the photos came out, Aoki’s dad Russell (seen with Kimora and their daughters in 2005) spoke about the pairing to TMZ, stating, ‘I’m not gonna kick and scream about her choices’
Kimora added at the time, ‘All I can do is offer my advice and unconditional love.’ Kimora is seen this week with Aoki and her other daughter Ming, 24
Aoki also referred to Vittorio as her ‘boyfriend’ during an Instagram Live while in St. Barts.
Afterwards, Aoki’s dad Russell spoke about the bizarre pairing to TMZ, stating, ‘I’m not gonna kick and scream about her choices.’
She also insisted that the relationship – which has since ended – wasn’t anything serious, and described Vittorio as a ‘toad.’ She and Aoki are seen together in November
Kimora – who was married to Russell from 1998 until 2009 – added at the time, ‘All I can do is offer my advice and unconditional love.’ The former couple also share daughter Ming, 24.
Just two days after the photos emerged, news hit the web that Aoki and Vittorio had ended their relationship.
‘It’s 100 per cent done. They’re absolutely not dating,’ a source told Page Six.
The insider also insisted to the outlet that the beauty is not materialistic and described claims that she was dating him for his wealth as ‘absurd.’
‘She’s not even like that. She doesn’t care about jewelry. She doesn’t have Hermes. It’s not even her,’ they shared.
‘She doesn’t even care about expensive things like that. She’s like more of a geek.’
Earlier this week, Aoki joined her mother and sister at the 25th Anniversary Smile Train Gala in New York City.
Aoki donned a little black dress for the evening, which featured long long sleeves and a floppy black satin bow over her chest.
The look stopped at the top of her thighs, putting the spotlight on the 5ft11in model’s long legs. She covered them with black tights and wore classic black pumps.
