HBO snaps up Russell Simmons rape claims documentary after Oprah dumps it
The controversial documentary detailing rape claims against Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons has been picked up by HBO — saving it after it was dropped by Oprah Winfrey and Apple TV+.
HBO Max confirmed on Monday that it had bought “On the Record” a week after it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to two standing ovations.
The film by Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering tracks the decision of music executive Drew Dixon to publicly state that her then-boss Simmons raped her at his New York home in 1995.
“The fierce determination of Drew Dixon and all the women who bravely chose to share their stories in ‘On the Record’ moved us profoundly,” HBO Max’s head of original content Sarah Aubrey said in a statement.
The doc sparked controversy last month when Winfrey dropped out as the executive-producer, announcing that it would no longer air on Apple TV+.
Winfrey, 66, later admitted that Simmons, 62, had contacted her “multiple times” and “attempted to pressure” her into stopping its production.
She later “unequivocally” insisted on CBS “This Morning” that she “did not pull out because of Russell.”
“This is not a victory lap for him. I cannot be silenced by a Russell Simmons after all I’ve been through,” Winfrey declared.
Simmons, the co-founder of Def Jam, has denied all accusations of sexual abuse.
A scene from "On the Record"
AP
A scene from "On the Record"
AP
With Post wires
![Forest Essentials [CPV] WW](https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/pcw-uploads/logos/forest-essentials-promo-codes-coupons.png)
0 comments