Oprah Defends Decision to Exit #MeToo Doc: ‘This Is Not a Victory for Russell’ Simmons

By Rebecca Rubin

LOS ANGELES (Variety.com) – Oprah Winfrey explained her decision to step away from “On the Record,” an expose about sexual harassment in the music industry, including women who have accused mogul Russell Simmons of misconduct. The documentary, from filmmakers Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering, will premiere at Sundance on Jan. 25.

Winfrey, who served as an executive producer and set the documentary to release as part of her overall deal with Apple TV Plus, backed out of the project two weeks before its debut. At the time, she released a statement saying, “In my opinion, there is more work to be done on the film to illuminate the full scope of what the victims endured and it has become clear that the filmmakers and I are not aligned in that creative vision.”

Appearing Tuesday on CBS This Morning, Winfrey elaborated on her exit, explaining she had been concerned that there were “inconsistencies” with the story. She told the filmmakers if they didn’t pull the documentary from and address potential problems, she would take her name off the project.

“I just care about getting it right, and I think there are some inconsistencies in the stories that we need to look at,” Winfrey said on CBS This Morning.

Winfrey, a victim herself of sexual assault, said it was a hard decision because pulling out of the documentary might look like she was being pressured by Simmons. But ultimately, she said, “The only question for me is: What is the right thing to do?”

“This is not a victory for Russell, and I unequivocally say that I did not pull out because of Russell,” Winfrey said. “This is not a victory lap for him. I cannot be silenced by after all I’ve been through.”

She added, “[It’s] ridiculous to think I could be intimidated by Russell Simmons.”

Though Simmons has vehemently denied all allegations, Winfrey said it’s important to vocalize her support of the women who have spoken out.

“I believe the women’s voices deserve to be heard, and as an executive producer I was also in a position where I think things were not right. I wanted the context of the story to be broadened, I wanted more women to be brought in.”