Oprah Winfrey has dropped executive producer title from her planned Russell Simmons #MeToo documentary.
What We Know:
- According to a report from People, the documentary focuses on a former music executive who has accused Simmons of sexual misconduct; the film no longer will air on Apple TV+. Despite this, Simmons has denied the allegations of sexual misconduct against him.
- Oprah said this in a statement obtained by People, “I have decided that I will no longer be an executive producer on The Untitled Kirby Dick and Ziering Documentary and it will not air on Apple TV+.” Furthermore, Winfrey continues to discuss her dismissal, addressing that she believes the film is incomplete. She explained that she’d rather present the film in its full scope.
- Filmmakers Dick and Ziering said, “Revealing hard truths is never easy, and the women in our documentary are all showing extraordinary strength and courage by raising their voices to address sexual abuse in the music industry. While we are disappointed that Oprah Winfrey is no longer an Executive Producer on the project, we are gratified that Winfrey has unequivocally said she believes and supports the survivors in the film.”
- Winfrey has received backlash before from a previous film, the HBO Leaving Neverland documentary. The film follows James Safechuck and Wade Robson’s recount of the alleged sexual abuse performed by music legend Michael Jackson. In the recounts, they detailed that they were little boys when the encounter occurred. Moreover, viewers stood firm in their belief that the two victims were not telling the truth of the situation. They went on to call the two extortionists.
- Subsequently, Simmons posted his feeling toward the film on social media. In response, Simmons expressed that he has taken a lie detector. The lie detector test is proof of his innocence in favor of his daughters.
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The film has received “full support” from TIME’S UP Foundation.
