# @theshaderoom on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/Ddkncvwy4fL
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/70802942-theshaderoom-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/03d0b588bd.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-09-22T02:03:03.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** The Shade Room (@TheShadeRoom) — https://gondola.cc/TheShadeRoom

## Caption

TSR Staff China! China_lovelace
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#KimoraLee is taking us back to the ’90s and revealing how her perspective on #TyraBanks has changed regarding past advice she received about her ex-husband, #RussellSimmons, pursuing her! Ahead of the premiere of “Kimora Lee: On Her Own,” the former supermodel and Baby Phat founder opened up to PEOPLE about a moment featured in the documentary involving Banks and her early relationship with the music mogul. 
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Kimora says she first met Russell when she was just 16 years old and new to the New York modeling scene. At the time, Russell, who was 18 years older than Kimora, would frequently sit in the front row at her fashion shows, loudly cheering her on. “I definitely was like, ‘Who is the weird guy at the end of the runway?’” Kimora recalled in the documentary. 
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She says Russell eventually began sending her large flower arrangements, but her friend Tyra wasn’t exactly here for it. According to Kimora, Banks once kept her at her apartment for an entire weekend to stop her from going home and checking her voicemail. “I remember Tyra kept me in her apartment through the weekend, trying to avoid me going home and checking my voicemail,” Kimora said. 
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Looking back, Kimora admits she initially felt like Tyra was “hating” because she was getting in the way and “getting on my nerves.” However, she now believes Banks was trying to protect her. “I thought she was a little bit hating, but just how a girlfriend would do. She was trying to protect me,” Kimora said. 
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Kimora also speculated that Russell may have previously tried to pursue Tyra and possibly other models before turning his attention to her. Despite Tyra’s efforts, Russell still managed to get through. “Back then, you didn’t have a cell phone. You had to get home to get your messages. I just couldn’t get to my messages. But he did call,” Kimora recalled. The two tied the knot in 1998, with Banks serving as a bridesmaid, and separated in 2006 before finalizing their divorce in 2009. ✍🏾#TSRStaffAS 📷:( gettyimages )

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## Tags

tsrstaffas, kimoralee, russellsimmons, tyrabanks

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