Kimora Lee Simmons Explains Her True Motivation for Returning to Reality TV

Kimora Lee Simmons is making a comeback to television with her brand-new show, Kimora: Back in the Fab Lane, premiering on E! on December 2. This marks her first television project in over a decade, and for the 50-year-old fashion icon, the return was more unexpected than anticipated.

In an exclusive interview with E! News, Kimora shared, People around me kept insisting, You should have cameras. I thought, Been there, done that. But their seriousness convinced me otherwise. Soon enough, casual suggestions turned into formal meetings to discuss the project.

As a mother of five, Kimora has a busy household. She shares daughters Ming Lee Simmons, 25, and Aoki Lee Simmons, 23, with ex-husband Russell Simmons; 16-year-old son Kenzo Lee Hounsou with Djimon Hounsou; 10-year-old son Wolfe Lee with ex-husband Tim Leissner; and 15-year-old son Gary Lee, whom she adopted in 2020.

I started this journey as a mom of two, she explained. Now I have five kids, multiple career changes, different relationships, and investments. Life is very differentmy kids are older, independent, and navigating adulthood.

Convincing her older children to participate in the show took some effort. They were excited, but I had to bribe them, Kimora admitted, hinting at a sports car and luxury wardrobe as incentives. She reflected on the changes in her family dynamics: The girls, especially, are young adults now. Its a different phase in life where Im not there to shield them from everything.

Despite initial hesitations, her children are beginning to understand their mothers cultural influence. People still recognize me from past projects, and they like it, she said.

The series Kimora: Back in the Fab Lane premieres on December 2 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on E!.

Other Notable TV Releases

• Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix) Nov. 18: 456 new contestants face high-stakes games for a $4.56 million prize in season two.
• High Horse: The Black Cowboy (Peacock) Nov. 20: A three-part documentary explores the overlooked history of Black cowboys in the Wild West.
• Sebastian Maniscalco: It Ain't Right (Hulu) Nov. 21: A live comedy special addressing family, aging, and daily frustrations.
• The Age of Disclosure (Prime Video) Nov. 21: Reveals an alleged 80-year global cover-up of non-human intelligent life and secret technological research.
• Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age (Apple TV+) Nov. 26: Uses advanced visual effects to explore Ice Age wildlife and ecosystems.
• The Rocky Mountain Mortician Murder (Investigation Discovery) Nov. 26: A three-part docuseries uncovering dark secrets behind a Colorado morticians death.
• Louvre Heist: Minute by Minute (Discovery Channel) Nov. 26: Real-time reconstruction of the October 19, 2025 robbery at the Louvre Museum.
• Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025 (NBC) Nov. 27: The 99th annual parade with musical performances, floats, and Santa Claus.
• Married to El Chapo: Emma Coronel Speaks (Oxygen) Nov. 28: Emma Coronel Aispuro shares her story in an exclusive interview.
• Family Guy Holiday Special (Hulu) Nov. 28: Lois tries to obtain Peters family pie recipe in this festive episode.
• The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (Bravo) Dec. 4: The ladies travel globally, confronting old tensions and new alliances.
• Christmas in Rockefeller Center (NBC) Dec. 3: Reba McEntire hosts the holiday special featuring the lighting of the iconic tree.
• With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration (Netflix) Dec. 3: Meghan hosts a festive celebration in Montecito with family, friends, and holiday traditions.

Analysis: Kimora Lee Simmons Returns to Television

I view this project as a structured return rather than a spontaneous comeback. After more than ten years away from television, the decision followed repeated proposals and formal development discussions, not a personal push for renewed visibility.

The series reflects a clear shift in personal and professional context. Since her last television work, my family has expanded from two children to five, with older children now adults. This change directly shapes the narrative focus, emphasizing independence, maturity, and evolving family roles.

The production also underscores a recalibration of public exposure. Initial resistance from my older children required negotiation, indicating a more deliberate and controlled approach to participation compared to earlier projects.

The premiere on December 2 positions the show within a competitive late-year television lineup, signaling E!’s intent to leverage established public recognition while introducing an updated personal and professional phase.

Sources:

• Kimora Lee Simmons Reveals Why She Really Returned to Reality TV