Oprah Winfrey’s name appears in a shocking new lawsuit connected to accusations of assault against a rapper

Oprah Winfrey has been subpoenaed in relation to a defamation lawsuit brought by one of Russell Simmons’ accusers, Drew Dixon, placing her at the center of the continuing legal dispute surrounding the hip-hop entrepreneur.

Dixon’s complaint against Simmons, who is alleged to have made defamatory statements in a 2023 interview, included the subpoena.

According to reports, the rapper made reference to Oprah Winfrey’s exit from the 2020 documentary “On the Record,” which focused on Drew Dixon’s alleged rape.

As Drew Dixon pursues legal action, Oprah Winfrey is subpoenaed in the Russell Simmons defamation case.

Simmons claimed that Winfrey left the project after finding “inconsistencies” in Dixon’s and other women’s testimonies, according to Page Six. Additionally, he asserted that Winfrey had tapes to back up his claims.

In retaliation, Dixon’s lawyers are requesting that Winfrey deliver all pertinent records, papers, and other physical objects by March 18. She must also appear for a deposition, which could be recorded on camera, according to the court document.

According to Page Six of the subpoena, “You are hereby commanded… to produce the books, records, papers, data, documents, evidences, writings, and all other tangible things as described more fully in the attached Schedule A at [law firm] Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, 55 Hudson Yards, New York, New York 10001, or electronically to undersigned counsel, on or before March 18, 2025.”

It went on to say, “You are further ordered to… to appear and attend before a notary public or other person by law authorized to administer oaths… and at any recessed or adjourned date, to testify and give evidence, as a witness on an examination before trial by deposition upon oral questions.” “This deposition will continue day after day until it is finished, and it may be videotaped.”

It’s unclear if Winfrey fulfilled the March 18 deadline or if she has filed a judicial appeal to the subpoena.

After dismissing the rape accuser as “thirsting for fame” in an interview, Russell Simmons filed a lawsuit.

After Simmons discussed her claims of rape in a sit-down with Graham Besinger, Dixon filed the complaint. Simmons denied the charges throughout the interview, implying that Dixon was “[thirsting] for fame” and “notoriety.” He insisted that he had “never been forceful in any of [his] relationships” and that all of his relationships had been “consensual.”

Simmons talked about “On the Record,” claiming that Winfrey left the project because of conflicting information. He asserted that “those tapes are available” and that she had recorded roughly 20 witnesses. “I didn’t watch [‘On the Record’] because it’s not true, and I believe Oprah stated that the stories don’t add up,” he stated.

He went on to say that Winfrey intended to broaden the film’s focus to include the larger music industry. Simmons claimed, “She had discovered too much contradicting evidence about the stories about me, so I couldn’t be a subject anymore.”

In January 2020, Winfrey resigned from her position as “On the Record” executive producer.

‘On The Record’ Star Oprah Winfrey Talks About Her Leave

When she appeared on “CBS This Morning,” she talked about leaving. She declared emphatically, “I did not pull out because of Russell.” For him, this is not a victory lap. Russell Simmons can’t quiet me after everything I’ve been through.

She reaffirmed her faith in the ladies in the documentary and said that her choice was based primarily on artistic differences. Since fresh information had surfaced, I had told them, ‘Houston, I think we have a problem here.’ All that matters to me is getting it right, and I believe that the stories we need to examine include some discrepancies.

“I wanted more women to be included in the story and I wanted the story’s context to be expanded,” Winfrey continued.

“Don’t put your name on anything that you do not have creative control over,” she said after reflecting on the event.

‘On The Record’ Features Drew Dixon’s Voice

After Winfrey and Apple TV+ left, HBO purchased “On the Record,” which centers on Dixon’s story of her time at Def Jam and the night in 1995 that she claims Simmons sexually assaulted her in his apartment.
Dixon, who was 24 at the time, had just succeeded in creating the music for the documentary “The Show.”

Seeing other women speak out during the #MeToo movement—particularly remembering how Desiree Washington was originally disbelieved when she accused Mike Tyson of rape—solidified her choice.
Later, Tyson was found guilty of raping the 18-year-old. Throughout the movie, Dixon states, “I couldn’t let them dangle in the wind,”

Drew Dixon Remembers Russell Simmons’ Horrible Alleged Rape
She agreed to wait for a car to Simmons’ house after a night out, and he encouraged her to listen to a demo CD.

Dixon remembered being instructed to get the demo out of his bedroom while they were inside the flat. She claimed that Simmons, who was nude and using a condom, followed her inside.

In the movie, she went into graphic detail about the attack, including how she was restrained, unconscious, and then found herself in his bathtub, naked. In the documentary, she stated, “I was reduced to nothing in that moment.” “I was garbage.”

Russell Simmons is accused of sexual misconduct by 20 women.

Dixon joined Arista Records after leaving Def Jam soon after the alleged incident. She said that L.A. Reid, who took over as chairman of Arista in 2000, harassed her even more.

Twenty women in all have come forward to accuse Simmons of rape or sexual abuse. Six of them tell their story on camera in “On the Record,” among other appearances. Simmons and Reid have refuted all of the accusations and declined to appear in the movie.

Simmons has since moved to Bali, Indonesia, which does not have an extradition treaty with the United States, according to the documentary’s conclusion.