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Oprah Winfrey Leaves Russell Simmons Accuser Doc & Pulls From Apple TV+

Oprah Winfrey Leaves Russell Simmons Accuser Doc & Pulls From Apple TV+

Oprah Winfrey is stepping away from the Russell Simmons accuser documentary and canceling its plans to air on Apple TV+.

The 65-year-old executive is parting ways with the doc two weeks before it was slated to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.

The documentary focused on a former music executive who has accused the 62-year-old entrepreneur and co-founder of Def Jam Recordings of sexual misconduct. The official Sundance description stated that the exec is Drew Dixon.

“I have decided that I will no longer be executive producer on The Untitled Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering documentary and it will not air on Apple TV+,” Oprah told THR. “First and foremost, I want it to be known that I unequivocally believe and support the women. Their stories deserve to be told and heard. In my opinion, there is more work to be done on the film to illuminate the full scope of what the victims endured, and it has become clear that the filmmakers and I are not aligned in that creative vision.”

Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering are talented filmmakers,” Oprah Winfrey added. “I have great respect for their mission but given the filmmakers’ desire to premiere the film at the Sundance Film Festival before I believe it is complete, I feel it’s best to step aside. I will be working with Time’s Up to support the victims and those impacted by abuse and sexual harassment.”

READ MORE: Oprah Winfrey Denies She Advised Harry & Meghan on Their Exit from Royal Family

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Posted to: Oprah, Oprah Winfrey, Russell Simmons