Aoki Lee Simmons, the 22-year-old daughter of Kimora Lee Simmons and Russell Simmons, recently shared on Instagram that she intends to stop modeling after being informed she isn’t “pretty enough” to work in the field.
She said, “I think I’m probably wrapping up modeling soon. I love modeling, but it’s hard to go somewhere and get told over, over, and over [again], ‘No, no, no, you’re not pretty enough,’ that’s not a fun time … it’s a hard industry.”
The young Simmons noted how difficult it was for her to live up to her mother’s legacy as a popular former Chanel fashion model.
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Having begun modeling as a teenager, her mother, Kimora, was first signed to Chanel before going on the catwalk with Fendi and Valentino and making appearances on the covers of Elle and Bazaar.
Essence reports that in the 1990s, she also modeled for Armani, Versace, and Calvin Klein.
Aoki lamented, “It feels like one big fat comparison all the time. Like, OK [I’m] not as good. I get that. My mom is always going to be a way better model than me. But it’s just annoying to have that comparison sometimes.”
Aoki, who was en route to a modeling job when she paused to capture the video, also informed followers that while she was “happy” for those who were selected to appear in the next Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, she did not receive the opportunity.
In the meantime, she stated that she would take a foreign service exam and try to use her Harvard degree in international relations to obtain a government job.
She added, “While I’m still here I should do my best. I hope I don’t sound whiny.”
Social media users flooded her comments with comfort and encouragement. One said, “Start your own agency, create a platform for young people. You have what it takes and your absolutely beautiful. Your generation need you to help them. This is your calling and God’s protection keep going switch gears.
Earlier in the year, Aoki made headlines when she was seen in St. Barts with Vittorio Assaf, the owner of Serafina.
