Oprah Winfrey backs out of doc focused on Russell Simmons accuser

Oprah Winfrey has reportedly backed out of executive-producing a documentary centering on a former music exec who accused Russell Simmons of sexual misconduct, and said she doesn’t agree with the filmmakers’ decision to show the film at Sundance this month.

“I have decided that I will no longer be executive producer on the untitled Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering documentary and it will not air on Apple TV+,” Winfrey said in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter on Friday. She added, “I want it to be known that I unequivocally believe and support the women. Their stories deserve to be told and heard. In my opinion, there is more work to be done on the film to illuminate the full scope of what the victims endured, and it has become clear that the filmmakers and I are not aligned in that creative vision.”

She said of Dick and Ziering, “I have great respect for their mission, but given the filmmakers’ desire to premiere the film at the Sundance Film Festival before I believe it is complete, I feel it’s best to step aside. I will be working with Time’s Up to support the victims and those impacted by abuse and sexual harassment.”

Simmons has denied the allegations and publicly urged Winfrey to back away from the doc.

Source: Read Full Article