Kimora Lee Simmons doesn’t mind if you think she’s a bitch.
“As a woman, if you’re outspoken and you know what you want, you’re a bitch,” the Style Network reality-show star says in the new issue of Giant magazine. “And if you don’t know what you want, then you’re a ditz. It’s very hard to gain men’s respect, and men in the industry disrespected me all the time.”
But Simmons is the one laughing all the way to the bank. The 33-year-old former model and mother of two is creative officer of Phat Fashions, the company started by her ex, Russell Simmons, which now includes Baby Phat, Phat Farm, Phat Farm Kids and the new juniors’ label Fabulosity.
“Many [women] don’t know if they should speak up and run the risk of looking stupid or bitchy,” Simmons says. “I always say, ‘Go for bitchy’ ’cause they’re gonna say you’re a bitch no matter what.’ If you’re smart and you speak up, you’re a bitch. But at least you get what you want.”
Simmons, however, is a bit more reserved when it comes to dishing about her Oscar-nominated actor and Calvin Klein underwear-model boyfriend Djimon Hounsou. Although mum on details, she does say, “I’m just happy and grateful to go home to my kids and a man that loves and accepts me for me—glamorous or not.”