Aoki Lee Simmons vows to quit modelling
Aoki Lee Simmons is quitting modelling after being told she is not "pretty enough" and being compared unfavourably with her mom, Kimora Lee Simmons.
Aoki Lee Simmons is quitting modelling after being told she is not "pretty enough".
The 22-year-old star - who is the daughter of Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons - loves working in the fashion industry but has grown increasingly frustrated at being rejected and unfavourable compared to her mom, a former Chanel model.
She said in a video shared to Instagram: "I think I'm probably wrapping up modelling soon.
"I love modelling, but it's hard to go somewhere and get told over, over and over, 'No, no, no, you're not pretty enough,' that's not a fun time... it's a hard industry."
Talking about her mom, she added: "It feels like one big fat comparison all the time. Like, OK, 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.
“I don’t need a coach. I’m a good model. I know that sounds like conceited; it’s not. I worked really hard at it. But it’s just… It’s a hard industry. There’s a lot of beautiful, great girls who are great models who don’t have a job.”
Aoki pledged to "finish out with respect", a lesson she had learned from Kimora, but is already looking ahead to the future.
She said: "I think I’m going to switch back to working in government, because that’s what my degree is in.
"I’m, like, getting a job in my degree field, but you know, while I’m still here, I should do my best. … I hope it doesn’t sound whiny."
Aoki previously admitted that while her mother has given her a lot of "helpful advice" about modelling, she respected the fact she'd also given her space.
She told Us Weekly magazine: "My mom was literally trying to coach me while I walked down the runway during [my first] Sergio Hudson show. I walked by and she yelled, ‘SHOULDERS!’
"Since I started my career, my mom has given me a lot of helpful advice, but I also appreciate the amount of space she has given me to make my own way. She’s allowing me to figure it out.”
