Russell Simmons, the influential music executive and co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, has publicly denied claims that he relocated to Bali, Indonesia, to evade sexual assault allegations in the United States. Simmons, who has lived much of the past several years in Bali, said he frequently travels back to the U.S. and has no intention of running from legal matters.
Simmons’ statement comes amid renewed online commentary suggesting he lives abroad to avoid accountability. One recent exchange unfolded on social media when a user implied Simmons was in Bali “to run away from those sexual assault allegations,” prompting the 68-year-old to respond directly. He wrote, “Knock it off I’m back all the time,” rejecting the suggestion that he was hiding.
The Bali Narrative and Legal Context
Rumors about Simmons’ absence from the U.S. have circulated for years. Multiple civil lawsuits have accused him of sexual misconduct and assault, some dating back decades, with women saying they suffered harm while he was a powerful industry figure. Simmons has consistently denied all wrongdoing.
Critics have pointed to Indonesia’s lack of an extradition treaty with the United States, arguing that Simmons’ residence there complicates efforts to pursue legal action against him. One recent filing by a Jane Doe accuser stated that “Defendant is running from the court’s jurisdiction to avoid taking accountability for his actions.”
Simmons and his lawyers, however, have pushed back on that interpretation. In previous public comments, Simmons said Bali was a personal choice and not a legal strategy. “I live in Disneyland. Yoga and vegan Disneyland,” he told a podcast last year, adding that he spends significant time in the U.S. as well.
Public Pushback and Personal Life
This debate has also played out among Simmons’ family. His daughter Aoki Lee Simmons recently confirmed on Instagram that she is living in Bali and has no plans to return to the U.S. soon. Some social media followers have linked her move to her father’s presence on the island, though she has not publicly connected the two.
Meanwhile, Simmons’ critics point to his lengthy absence from the U.S. and the ongoing nature of civil claims against him. A lawsuit was dismissed in Manhattan federal court last year, in part because Simmons’ Indonesian residency complicated jurisdiction.
Simmons’ camp maintains he has not avoided U.S. law enforcement. His most recent public statements emphasize that he travels frequently to America for personal and professional reasons. “I’m back all the time,” he said in response to online speculation.