In a heartfelt revelation, television star and model Kimora Lee Simmons has described herself as a 'surrogate mom' to Sean 'Diddy' Combs' 18-year-old twin daughters. The 50-year-old made the comments during an appearance on the US programme Today With Jenna & Friends this week.
A Village of Support for Extended Family
Simmons, a mother of five biological and adopted children, was asked about taking on a maternal role for other youngsters in her life. 'I have my kids, and then I have kids on the side,' she explained. She listed a stepdaughter, a 'bonus son' named Jaden, and then addressed the twins specifically.
'One of my friends who passed away, Kim Porter, I have all of her kids,' Simmons stated. 'Even though some of them are adults, but some of them are 18, twins.' When pressed on whether Diddy's daughters, D'Lila and Jessie, actively seek her guidance, Simmons confirmed, 'Yeah, they're with me. I just got off the phone with them. I'm a lot of people's mom.'
How She Manages a Modern 'Girl Village'
Guest host Scarlett Johansson expressed admiration, questioning how Simmons manages such a large, blended family. 'I have a lot of help. It takes a village, so I have godmoms and aunties and friends,' Simmons replied. She emphasised that her support network is primarily female, calling it 'a girl village' where women uplift each other.
Simmons shares two adult daughters, Ming and Aoki, with ex-husband Russell Simmons. Her family also includes son Kenzo with Djimon Hounsou, son Wolfe with ex Tim Leissner, and an adopted son named Gary.
Past Promises and Present Support
This is not the first time Simmons has publicly vowed to support Porter's children. In May 2024, following the release of a video showing Diddy assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, Simmons posted a prom photo of the twins on social media with a protective message.
'I am so very proud of you my babies! I love you always and will protect you fiercely to the end with all I have!' she wrote. Diddy, the twins' father, is currently serving a prison sentence after being convicted on charges related to prostitution.
The twins themselves have spoken about the difficulty of losing their mother, Kim Porter, who died from lobar pneumonia in 2018 aged 47. On Mother's Day this year, they posted an emotional tribute, writing: 'These last couple years have been sooooo extremely difficult without you by our side.'
Recently, D'Lila and Jessie showed their support for Simmons' new E! reality series, Kimora: Back In The Fab Line, calling her the 'coolest auntie ever.' Simmons explained her return to reality TV, citing the many changes in her life since her last show, including evolving relationships with her now young-adult children.
