Fame never truly leaves—you just step out of the spotlight for a while. That’s exactly what Kimora Lee Simmons is proving with her much-anticipated return to reality television. The fashion mogul, model, and mom of five is stepping back into the public eye with her new series, Kimora: Back in the Fab Lane, premiering Dec. 2 on E!. But here’s the twist—this comeback wasn’t something she initially planned.
In a candid chat with E! News, Kimora laughed about how it all began. People in her circle apparently couldn’t stop telling her, “You’re always doing a million things! You need cameras following you again.” At first, she brushed it off—after all, she’d lived that life before. But as she explained, one casual conversation quickly turned into serious production talks. “Next thing I know, we’re having meetings, and I’m thinking, ‘Wait, is this really happening again?’” she recalled with amusement.
And let’s be real—Kimora’s life today looks very different from when audiences last saw her on screen. As the devoted mother of five, her world now revolves around parenting teens and young adults. She shares daughters Ming Lee, 25, and Aoki Lee Simmons, 23, with ex-husband Russell Simmons; a 16-year-old son, Kenzo Lee, with actor Djimon Hounsou; 10-year-old Wolfe Lee, with ex-husband Tim Leissner; and Gary Lee, 15, whom she adopted in 2020. “Back then, I was a mom of two,” she said. “Now I’m a mom of five—and somehow, it feels like I have even more. I’ve switched careers, invested in new businesses, gained sons after being a girl mom. Everyone’s grown up—some of them are driving now!”
But even with all that personal growth, not everyone in the Simmons household was instantly thrilled about diving back into reality TV. Kimora admitted with a laugh that some persuasion (and a few enticing perks) were necessary. “They were excited,” she confessed, “but yes, I had to sweeten the deal—maybe with something on four wheels or a little fashion incentive.”
Still, there were deeper concerns, especially from her daughters, who experienced the spotlight as children. “The girls were a bit shell-shocked,” Kimora reflected. “They were so young during the first shows. Now they’re adults with their own perspectives—and this time, I’m not there to shield them from everything. It’s a whole new dynamic.” She described the process as “a journey” of rediscovery, both for her family and for herself.
Yet with cameras rolling again and nostalgia running high, something surprising happened. Her kids started realizing just how influential their mom truly was—and is. “People come up and say, ‘I remember watching you,’ or ‘You did this show I loved,’” Kimora shared. “Now my kids look at me differently. I think they’re starting to appreciate that legacy.”
Her new series promises to blend that legacy with a fresh chapter of family, fashion, and fierce independence. And as Kimora gears up for her E! premiere, she’s proving that reinvention can be fabulous at any age.
Kimora: Back in the Fab Lane premieres Dec. 2 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on E!—and it’s already shaping up to be one of the most talked-about reality returns of the year.
But what do you think—should reality stars revisit their old fame, or leave their legacy untouched? Drop your thoughts in the comments and join the debate!
