UPDATE: Richard Simmons just wants everyone to leave him alone.
While Simmons often doesn’t speak publicly, the former fitness guru is speaking out now, after learning an unauthorized movie is being made without his permission. “You may have heard they may be doing a movie about me with Pauly Shore. I have never given my permission for this movie. So don’t believe everything you read,” Simmons said in his statement.
“I no longer have a manager, and I no longer have a publicist. I just try to live a quiet life and be peaceful. Thank you for all your love and support.”
The Wolper Org, which is producing the biopic with Warner Bros., responded through TMZ, saying, “While we would love to have him involved, we respect his desire to privacy and plan to produce a movie that honors him, celebrates him, and tells a dramatic story.”
Lifestyle and fitness guru Richard Simmons is celebrating a major milestone today…He’s turning 75! In a rare statement from his team, his representative told ET, “This is a big milestone. I just want to see him happy, which he is.”
It’s been a difficult last couple of years for Simmons. While the workout king has chosen to step out of the limelight, several strange rumors about him have swirled around the internet.
In August 2022, TMZ released a documentary about fitness icon Richard Simmons, namely about his disappearance from the public world.
Simmons became a household name back in the 80s with his weight-loss programs. He became known for his curly hairstyle and uniform, which was comprised of a pair of short shorts and a tank top.
After a Documentary About Richard Simmons’ Disappearance Was Released, Simmons Himself Reached Out
After years of mega success and popularity, Simmons made a personal choice, to step away from the public eye. And while Simmons has remained that way for nearly a decade now, he has been forced to defend himself multiple times as well.
If you can recall, back in 2016, Simmons told Today that despite rumors claiming he was being held hostage by his housekeeper, “no one is holding me as a hostage. I just wanted to be a little bit of a loner for a while.”
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At the time Simmons said he was dealing with knee injuries, but added, “Not to worry, Richard’s fine. You haven’t seen the last of me.”
Now after the What Really Happened to Richard Simmons documentary by TMZ was released, Simmons issued another statement. During the documentary, former friend, Suzanne Somers was quoted saying that the last time she saw Simmons, “something’s broken inside because he did it. He had it and then let it go.”
Following the premiere, Simmons put himself back in the spotlight to say, “Thank you, everyone, for your kindness and love. Love, Richard,” on Facebook. His team verified that the post was a personal message from Richard, himself.
Simmons’ manager Michael Catalano confirmed the authenticity to People with his own statement. “This was a personal post from Richard. He was moved by the reaction to the special and all the good wishes that he received. He was encouraged by the kindness.”
Another representative for Simmons, Tom Estey, told The New York Post, “Richard is eternally grateful for the continuous outpouring of love and gratitude he has received from across the Globe. He is happy, healthy, and living the life he has chosen to live.”
How many Richard Simmons workouts have you done in your lifetime?
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