Twenty-one-year-old Aoki Lee Simmons and wealthy restaurateur Vittorio Assaf, 65, became a topic of discussion a few days ago after the pair were spotted kissing during a romantic vacation in St. Barths on April 2.
After the pictures became public, a source initially told PEOPLE that Aoki, who is the youngest daughter of Russell Simmons, 66, and Kimora Lee Simmons, 48, was romantically involved with Assaf. But it appears that is no longer the case as a source recently informed the news outlet that Aoki and the 65-year-old Serafina group founder have since split.
“Not only is it ‘over’, it was never a thing,” the source said. “Aoki is learning to navigate her private life in a public sphere. And that can be difficult. However, Kimora was concerned to see her daughter in that kind of relationship due to what she herself went through.”
Aoki and Assaf sparked controversy after photos of the pair locking lips were published in the media. The sexagenarian and Aoki were having a day out at the beach when the photos were taken. Besides the kissing, Aoki, who was wearing an olive-green bikini, also posed for pictures that Assaf took with his phone, Page Six reported.
The pair were also pictured taking a dip in the sea. Aoki later shared photos of her vacation on Instagram – but Assaf wasn’t included in those snaps. The photos in question raised eyebrows on social media, but Aoki later shared an Instagram post with the caption, “errr well now I know why folks were calling me.”
The model and Harvard graduate’s mother, Kimora, seemingly reacted to her daughter’s public display of affection with the 65-year-old on her Instagram story. “On my last nerve right now!” she captioned alongside a video of a mother panda dragging her cub.
Russell Simmons, on the other hand, posted a throwback photo with his daughter and expressed his love for the 21-year-old. “Throw back from last fathers day nyc …bode bikram yoga express class .. vegan lunch cryotherapy vitamin drip … all around amazing day ❤️,” the 66-year-old shared on Saturday. “@aokileesimmons love you always im always waiting for any call any time ❤️.”
