Oprah Winfrey finds herself on the wrong end of Russell Simmons’ legal firepower. She has already received at least one subpoena to testify in a defamation suit against the 47-year-old music mogul. She chose to leave the documentary project “On The Record.” In many ways, this project was focused on the accusations against Simmons. Winfrey is now being pulled back into the firestorm because, having been so involved in the past, her comments on the allegations are what caused such a continued stir.
Women’s accusations against Simmons were the focus of last year’s documentary On The Record, which Simmons has long denied. In a recent interview with Bensinger, Simmons discussed Winfrey's withdrawal from the project, stating that she had recordings that exposed inconsistencies in the accusers' allegations. Despite the odds, Winfrey is a steadfast advocate for Drew Dixon. Dixon was one of the women who publicly named Simmons as her rapist in a 1995 New York Times story.
The legal drama took yet another surprising turn. Dixon’s lawyers have recently subpoenaed Oprah Winfrey—not directly, of course, but through her law firm, Boies Schiller Flexner LLP. The 52-item subpoena demands that Winfrey produce all documents and evidence in her possession by March 18, 2025.
"You are hereby commanded… to produce the books, records, papers, data, documents, evidences, writings, and all other tangible things as described more fully in the attached Schedule A," stated Dixon’s lawyers.
Further, the subpoena orders Winfrey to appear for a deposition to testify under oath.
"You are further commanded to… to appear and attend before a notary public or other person authorized by law to administer oaths… and at any recessed or adjourned date, to testify and give evidence, as a witness on an examination before trial by deposition upon oral questions," Dixon’s lawyers commanded.
Simmons has never even been arrested or charged with any crime in connection with Dixon’s allegations. To be clear, he has not yet admitted to any wrongdoing.
"I’ve never been forceful in any of my relationships," Simmons stated. He emphasized that all his relationships had been “consensual.”
Simmons finally made some public comments, owning up to his role in the scandal. In 2024, Winfrey counterattacked, bringing her own lawsuit against him for defamation due to his statements in a 2023 press tour appearance. In that interview, Simmons cast doubt on Dixon’s allegations, leading Winfrey to file her lawsuit.
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