I have been more than a little bit obsessed with Richard Simmons the past few years. I really didn’t pay him a lot of attention when he was Sweating To The Oldies but when he went from total media whore to complete recluse, I was intrigued.
There has been all kinds of speculation about what is going on with Richard. I was starting to believe the story about the housekeeper holding him hostage. I’m still not sure that is not the case. I was never sold on the “transitioning theory” mostly because that would mean a whole lot of doctor’s appointments and leaving the house in the daytime.
I was a fan of the “black magic theory” , you should really click on that to learn all about it. In fact, the guy who claimed Simmons was being controlled by black magic, Mauro Oliveira, is named in the lawsuit specifically as the source of the “transitioning theory.”
From The Daily Beast,
The complaint alleges that the transgender rumors began with a former associate named Mauro Oliveira who has “used threats of reputational harm” to blackmail Simmons—and that the tabloids were willing to run with Oliveira’s story because “they were looking for anything to gain a leg-up on the media frenzy surrounding [Simmons’] disappearance and media absence for the past few years.” Simmons is seeking damages for multiple counts of libel and for invasion of privacy.
But on Monday, Richard Simmons filed a defamation suit
“The lawsuit against American Media Inc., which owns the publications, alleges several counts of libel and invasion of privacy for publishing stories saying Simmons received “shocking sex surgery, breast implants, hormone treatments, and consultations on medical castration,” according to the legal complaint.” [Source NBC News]
As for the whole transitioning situation, Simmons states in his complaint that American Media Inc. likely felt as though Simmons would not sure over the defamation and invasion of privacy because doing so might make it seem like he thought something was wrong with transitioning. Apparently, they were wrong about that. American Media has spoken out saying that the lawsuit does imply that there is something wrong with transitioning and they are prepared to vigorously defend themselves in court.
Defamation suits are very difficult to win, especially when the plaintiff is a public figure. One has to prove actual damages caused by the defamation and I am not aware that Richard Simmons is actually generating an income that would be affected by the rumors. If anything, the stories renewed interest in Richard Simmons and whatever brand he still has.
For someone who wants to be a recluse, this seems like a very odd decision. Part of me is back to my “housekeeper hostage” theory. She could be looking for a big payout.
I suppose we will all have to stay tuned to see what happens. What do you think is going on with Richard Simmons?
The housekeeper’s forcing Richard to deal her a meal ticket.
He doesn’t have to leave the house to eventually settle for some sum.
I listened to the whole podcast about Richard. It was very interesting. Ultimately the biggest mark against the housekeeper hostage theory is that apparently Richard’s brother and long time manager still see and talk to him all the time. A lot of people counted on Richard for personal support and encouragement. He gave that freely for a long time, but I think underneath Richard may be a sad and lonely person inside. One of his beloved dogs died and there were rumors of a broken relationship. I think he may be in a depression and just exhausted. However I do find the whole thing very strange and to me, there doesn’t seem to be one theory that really accounts for everything, like totally ghosting longtime personal friends. I guess he used to run out and greet people on the Hollywood tour busses and now there is a wall around his home. It’s very odd and mostly sad. I love Richard and always enjoyed his goofiness and positive attitude.
He always had the quality to reach down and lift others in despair. Mighty to encourage those used to being discouraged. Someone needs some mashed potatoes after so much twisting the night away. Obscure oldly, Brontasauras stomp. Start with the help.
Yeah, I remember him from the beginning and his shows were part of my summer routine way back when. He’s a truly loving and compassionate soul.
Everyone burns out sometimes and if I had the fortune that I believe he has I would lock myself away in my mansion too, at least until I wanted to come again. Poor guy.
Richard Simmons has helped so many people and is such an inspiration. Every time I look at him I want to cook him soup.
My theory is that he has some (not bad) health things and wants peace and quiet. As for the housekeeper? If she is the only one that Richard interacts with on a daily basis, then she could really mess with his head.
I hope he can get back into the sunshine.
I don’t really know this story but I think he’s an empath- his high sensitivity is what made him so encouraging and supportive …he truly felt with people. That was all good before social media, Internet,etc… But Theres a lot of energy suckers out there and easier for them to get to you if you let them. poor man exposed himself too much. People sucked the energy out of him And I truly believe this
I can see this too. From personal experience on this blog.
There were SO FUCKING MANY PEOPLE and their issues that reached out to me, that I was drowning in their issues while trying to handle my own. Reaching back out, in my own way usually while drinking was thrown back at me later. You see I was supposed to be issue free while they contacted me.
I was literally offline for two days of surgery and they attacked me and my business for months. This is why I have reigned myself in on the personal front. I had to change my phone number and call the police on people outside my house which as motivated me to move. I also called the police on followers in other states and had my attorney take other measures.
Some people do no understand the difference between online talks and calling your private home at all hours of the day and night and pulling up outside your home to take photos. It is VERY frightening.
I feel like I should apologize for still being traumatized even though the site is better than ever. But there was emotional damage, financial damage, and massive betrayal by people that I merely left unsupervised for a couple of days. It was EXTREMELY painful to return from surgery to the people I was trying to befriend suddenly shifting into some sort of hatred toward me and attacking my site with all these wierd graphs and charts and false information.
My attorneys, who are my friends pointed out that it was not until they attempted to taunt me with the death of my friend that I wanted to go after them.
That is my roundabout way of wondering why Richard is doing this. I could give a shit what they said about me, and there is a very clear case of defamation there. It was only when they involved the death of my friend that i contacted them. That made it personal.
So if tomorrow TMZ ran a story about me transitioning… I’d just laugh and appreciate the coverage. Why is Richard so bent about this?
Another example of behavior from him that doesn’t seem to make any sense. I gather that although he never talked about his own sexuality, he was supportive and accepting of trans-genders. And in fact dressed like a woman on many occasions, if only for comedic effect (apparently he’d sometimes show up to his exercise class in Beverly Hills in full drag.) So why would this bother him so much, to the point he’d be suing? Maybe he is just furious with this Mauro guy for all of these stories he’s putting out there and trying to cash in on this more than the actual story itself?
Whether or not the housekeeper is controlling him, she undoubtedly has a large measure of influence on him. It’s certainly possible she could be taking advantage of him while he’s weak and depressed.
I agree. This just doesn’t seem like something he would care about. I can understand Kandi suing Phaedra over the things that were said about her. She was accused of criminal, dangerous activity that would cause damage to her reputation and business.
Really the only way I could fathom idiots saying you are transitioning when you are not being something worthy of a lawsuit would MAYBE be an actor or actress who played the lead in romantic movies or something. If you are Richard Simmons, the Richard Simmons we all thought we knew years ago, you just laugh it off.
Your website is better than ever…
Thanks!
Why is Richard so bent about this? I have a theory based on my own experience.
First, let me say that the “transitioning theory” stories irked me because they didn’t seem to be based on any facts, but rather on the homophobic stereotype that all gay men really wish that they were women.
Some years ago, a gay celebrity who dropped off the scene would have been assumed to be dying of AIDS. (Because if you’re gay, you’re getting AIDS, right?) But now that Trans is the new black, if a celebrity absents himself, he must be transitioning! Instead of the tabloids doing “sad last days of…” stories, they can photoshop up a picture of him as a woman! Much more fun! (Not.)
Now to my theory based on experience. I know that when I was growing up, part of being bullied was constantly hearing (among many other things), “You’re such a girl” and “You need a sex change” and “When are you getting your sex change?” and on and on. Now, Richard is a couple decades older than I, and quite a bit more…um…flamboyant. Meaning that as bad as it was for me, it HAD to have been much, MUCH worse for him.
So I can very easily see Richard seeing those “transitioning theory” stories and thinking, “This shit again? Oh HELL no! I am NOT taking it this time!”
Hence being bent about it. And I don’t blame him a bit.
Once again, I am shocked by all of this.
“First, let me say that the “transitioning theory” stories irked me because they didn’t seem to be based on any facts, but rather on the homophobic stereotype that all gay men really wish that they were women.”
I had forgotten this was true. That was certainly what I was brought up to believe. I went through my own steep learning curve. Gay men just liked me and loved me to death until I understood. I feel like I am bragging when I say that… but you know I just got very lucky.
I am going to speak my truth now, as I have in the past here and say gay men, have been my closest bonds all my life. Women who have been sexually abused love gay men, because they need that bond with men. And gay men will not abuse them. In fact they love us the best.
Gay men love me and protect me. And that is the best thing ever.
@ithinkiknow – I think you’re right. Some folks are highly sensitive to others’ energies, and if you’re perceived as an empathetic and confident soul, weaker people will be drawn to you and drain you dry.
And I think that’s exactly what happened to TT. Some sad sacks and needy souls identified with TT, sought solace in her friendship, and tore her down when they realized she’s human. This is what we do to celebrities and other public figures in this culture. We put them on a pedestal, then exhalt in watching them fall. It’s an ugly phenomenon, and we all need to check ourselves occasionally to ensure we aren’t participating in it.
Richard kept me company when I was a new and very young mom. My life had changed so drastically and so quickly that it took some time to adjust. I had never watched TV in the daytime, but Richard was that peppy, friendly and encouraging presence who filled my lonely apartment and perked up my days. I wish him the peace and understanding he deserves.
All of these comments really struck me. Hard. I often wondered what happened to Richard, and leaned toward someone holding him for his money. There is a lot of food for thought here. ithinkiknow makes a great point.
Katherine, I (always) like what you have to say. You’re a smart cookie, and not in a crazy dictator sort of way.
Why thank you Sam. I enjoy posts, too. 🙂
Enjoy YOUR posts, too. Duh. Time to go to bed!
There is something wrong with saying someone is transitioning…when they’re not transitioning. Where did this dumb new standard come from? It’s like on the RHOA reunion when Andy chose to read the viewer question that suggested that the ladies were homophobic by denying they were lesbians. But….they’re not lesbians (and never said anything bad about lesbians), soooo…..Anyway, Richard was on Howard Stern many many years back and was upset with Howard for insinuating that he was homosexual. After he left in hyterics, BaBaBooey told Howard that he had spoken to Richard and that Richard grew up as a devout Catholic and that in his religious views, rather than being openly homosexual, one would repress their sexual proclivities and instead devote their life to serving others-Which no doubt Richard has done. Anyway, point is, Richard has always lingered just under the surface when it comes to exposing his sexual/romantic life, and it doesn’t surprise me that he’s pissed that someone took such liberties.