BV Entertainment Newswire March 31: The Kimora Lee/Russell Simmons Break Up: The Hip Hop Media Reacts

Divorce: Hip Hop Style

Hip-hop impresario Russell Simmons announced Friday that his seven year marriage to model-turned-entrepreneur wife, Kimora Lee Simmons, has come to an end.

The news --released via a statement from the Def Jam Records founder-- came on the heels of tabloid reports hinting at trouble in paradise. “We have been together for 14 years. Kimora and I will remain committed parents and caring friends with great love and admiration for each other," said Simmons, 48.

"[They] were like hip-hop's number one power couple," noted former 'Source' magazine editrix Kim Osorio. "It's sad to see that they are separating, but I think people saw this coming." The announcement also confirmed that while Simmons and Lee Simmons were separated for some time, they have continued living under the same roof. They are the parents of two young daughters, Ming Lee and Aoki Lee, who are prominently featured in advertisements for Lee's Baby Phat merchandise, and on the recently aired VH1 reality show '(Inside) Out.'

"I'm sad to see such a loving and strong family unit separate," said Datwon Thomas, editor of 'King' magazine. "Hopefully things can be worked out and smoothed over."

In the current edition of 'Vibe Vixen,' Lee Simmons --who is featured on the cover-- brushed off rumors of an impending breakup and denied that her marriage was one of convenience. "One thing my marriage is not, is convenient. I am inconvenienced," she told the magazine's former senior editor Margeaux Watson. "Russell and I have been together 14 years. That’s a long time - almost half my life. The things that we go through are very regular things that regular people in Middle America go through. But because of my lifestyle or the logistics of it all, it’s probably magnified those things. But they are the same problems and the same situations."

Chuck Creekmur, co-founder of allhiphop.com and hip-hop journalist, told Black Voices he is "personally disappointed" by the announcement. "I think they represented a shining example of Hip-Hop royalty. And, frankly, I commend them on being able to continue in a classy manner."

Over the years, Simmons --who helms the multi-faceted Rush Communications-- has been one of his wife's staunchest supporters and defender to tabloid media who have reported about her over-the-top, extravagant lifestyle.

According to industry legend, Lee Simmons, a St Louis native, began her career as a fashion model at 13, when she was personally chosen by fashion czar Karl Lagerfeld to model for the esteemed house of Chanel, in Paris. In the summer of 2004, she was arrested outside of the couple's Saddle River, New Jersey estate on marijuana possession, cocaine possession and careless driving for eluding an officer, after a two mile chase.

Throughout her highly publicized media escapades, Lee Simmons continued to be a viable commodity in the mainstream entertainment community. She served as a judge on Tyra Banks', wildly popular reality show 'America's Next Top Model' during its initial seasons, co-hosted the syndicated talk show 'Life & Style,' and has extended her Baby Phat brand into relationships with corporate giants such as Motorola and Coty. Last month, Harper Collins released 'Fabulosity: What It Is and How to Get It,' an inspirational lifestyle guide.

The couple is actively involved in numerous philanthropic initiatives. "We will also continue to work side by side on a daily basis as partners in all of our businesses,” Simmons added.

Ironically, on an upcoming episode of Banks' syndicated daily talk show, the supermodel host said, “Everybody knows Russell is married to Kimora Lee Simmons...she's a very, very good friend of mine. But I was not condoning this relationship. I've known Kimora since I was 17 years old and she was 16 and we were roommates in Europe when we were modeling. And one season, Russell, every time Kimora was walking down the runway, Russell would do this [stands up and cheers and screams her name]....And I literally was like this, 'Stay away from my friend! You like all the models and you have all the money, you can't buy her.”

Simmons, who appeared on the pre-taped segment, then jokingly retorted: "Now she can buy me!" According to a show spokesperson, it will air April 12.

Contributing: Angela Bronner and Jessica Green.