Russell Simmons Slaps HBO with $20M Defamation Suit Over ‘On the Record’
Hold onto your streaming queue—Russell Simmons just unleashed a $20 million lawsuit against HBO, and yes, it’s as juicy as it sounds. Back in April 2020, HBO dropped “On the Record,” a documentary directed by Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering that spotlighted multiple women accusing the music mogul of sexual misconduct. Variety confirmed the film premiered at Sundance on January 28, 2020, while HBO aired it nationwide on April 30. Now, Simmons claims HBO executives rushed the project, knowingly peddling “false and defamatory” allegations that have “irreparably damaged” his reputation. In new court papers filed April 15, 2021 (NY Supreme Court, Index No. 651292/2021), he accuses the network of willful defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and breach of contract—demanding a cool $20 million in damages.
According to the complaint obtained by the New York Post, Simmons alleges that HBO ignored basic journalistic checks, airbrushing out exculpatory details and relying on “inconsistent” witness statements. One former employee’s anonymous affidavit—first reported by Deadline—was apparently recast in the final cut without follow-up interviews that could have debunked major claims. Simmons’s legal team insists these editorial shortcuts violated HBO’s own ethics code and contractual guarantees. He also points to a 2017 email exchange with a producer, presented in the suit, warning that “some sources might have ulterior motives,” yet the warning went unheeded.
HBO, for its part, has publicly defended the film’s integrity, with a spokesperson telling The Hollywood Reporter that “On the Record” underwent a standard fact-checking process and that the filmmakers maintained editorial independence. The network hasn’t filed a formal court response yet, but insiders expect a vigorous defense invoking fair-reporting privilege. Meanwhile, critics wonder whether this suit could chill future investigative docs on powerful figures in entertainment. Will HBO double down, or cut its losses before going to trial? Hang tight—the next hearing in Manhattan could be the courtroom showdown of the season.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, Variety, Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
