NEED TO KNOW
- Kimora Lee Simmons is sharing the special role she plays in her late friend Kim Porter’s daughters’ lives
- The entrepreneur shared that she’s become a kind of “surrogate mom” to Porter’s kids — especially her 18-year-old twins D’Lila and Jessie
- Simmons is also a mom of five
Kimora Lee Simmons is sharing the special role she plays in her late friend Kim Porter’s daughters’ lives.
While appearing on an episode of Today with Jenna & Friends on Wednesday, Dec. 3, the entrepreneur, 50, shared that her already big family — Simmons is a mom of five — has grown as she’s become a kind of “surrogate mom” to several other kids.
“I have my kids, and then I have kids on the side,” joked Simmons. “I have a stepdaughter, well, an additional daughter. I have another son, bonus son, who’s on the show, Jayden, another one who’s just been with us for many, many years. One of my friends who passed away, Kim Porter, I have all of her kids. Even though some of them at adults, but some of them are 18, twins.”
When asked if they come to her, Simmons replied, “Yeah, they’re with me. I just got off the phone with them! I’m a lot of people’s mom.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Porter died in 2018. She shared her twins D’Lila and Jessie, 18, as well as sons Quincy, 33, and Christian, 26, with Sean “Diddy” Combs, who has been in jail since his September arrest on charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Simmons shares son Kenzo, 16, with ex Djimon Hounsou and son Wolfe, 10, with Tim Leissner. She is also mother to daughters Aoki21, and Ming, 25, whom she shares with ex Russell Simmons. She welcomed Gary through adoption when he was 10 years old.
In June, Simmons shared a series of photos on her Instagram and hence celebrated her son Kenzo’s 16th birthday. In one photo, the teenager stood almost a head taller than his mom, wearing matching rings and a gray long-sleeve shirt.
Other snaps show Kenzo as a kid, posing with some of his siblings and spending time on the basketball courts. “Happy birthday to my 6’7” baby @kenzoklh 🥹😭🥰 I’m so proud of you for the young man that you’re becoming!” Simmons wrote in her caption.
“An amazing brother, son, friend, teammate and so much more! Mama loves you sooooo much!! Keep rising to the top! I’m right by your side every step of the way! ❤️🏀💎🏆.”
Then in September, Kenzo was featured in his first modeling campaign for the clothing brand Eve. In one video, Kenzo could be seen playing basketball on a court outside and later getting into a car.
In an interview with the clothing brand Eve, Kenzo shared that one of his style icons is his own mom.
“Some fashion influences of mine would definitely be my mom, who helps me and talks to me about those types of things,” said Kenzo of Simmons. “And Alton Mason, who I really look up to.”
Simmons shared Kenzo’s campaign photos on her own Instagram and expressed how proud she is of her son.
“So proud of my baby @kenzoklh for his first modeling campaign for @weareeve_ !!! 😍🥹 Congratulations! Mama loves you! 🏀❤️,” she wrote.




