The former model who accused Russell Simmons of sexually assaulting her twice in the same night sat down for her first television interview on Megyn Kelly Today.
Keri Claussen Khalighi, 43, claimed in a Los Angeles Times story last week that she was forced to perform oral sex on Russell Simmons at her apartment in 1991 as Brett Ratner looked on, and then raped by the hip-hop impresario while she was showering after that first offense.
She told Megyn that she was shocked at Simmons’ denial of the allegations, saying that he even apologized to her after the fact.
Simmons responded to that claims soon after by stating the sex was consensual and sharing three affidavits from individuals he claims were also in the apartment that weekend.
All three said there was no evidence of sexual assault, a conclusion they came too based on the demeanor of Khalighi that weekend.
None of those men – two of whom were anonymous and the third being Simmons’ former assistant – witnessed the actual sexual acts in question between Simmons and the then-17-year-old model.
Interview: Keri Claussen Khalighi (above) spoke with Megyn Kelly Today on Wednesday and said that Russell Simmons apologized after sexually assaulting her in 1991
Duo: The then-17-year-old model claimed lats week that Simmons forced her into oral sex while Brett Ratner watched and then raped her in the shower (Ratner and Simmons above in 2006)
‘Russell and I have actually had a face-to-face confrontation around this, we’ve had phone conversations, where we have had a conversation about what happened, where there was no dispute of what we were talking about,’ said Khalighi to Megyn on Wednesday.
‘We were both talking about what happened on that night and he actually apologized. And part of what is so confusing and retraumatizing is what he is speaking about privately with me, is completely different than what has come out publicly. ‘
She went on to say that the ‘lies and the denial’ were ‘really, really upsetting, disappointing and quite honestly, just repugnant.’
Khalighi had been out with the men and then gone back to see a music video at Simmons’ apartment she told Megyn, the same story she had previously told the LA Times.
‘As the video was playing, Russell came over and started making advances and at the time, I thought it was a joke and it became increasingly apparent that it wasn’t a joke and he continued his advances and I looked over at Brett at that point for help, and I will never forget the look on his face,’ said the model, who now married and expecting her third child on Monday.
She said Simmons’ public ‘lies and the denial’ were ‘really, really upsetting’ (above in 1995)
‘It was in that moment I realized, I think this was their plan all along, there was no help that was going to come.’
Khalighi said she was ‘closed’ and ‘frozen’ as Simmons made his move, adding: ‘I looked over at Brett and asked to help because I thought we were friends. It was a very confusing and terrifying moment.’
That initial assault was not the end of it though according to the model mom.
‘Part of my story that I think is really important to talk about in this conversation that is happening right now nationally, with sex abuse coming out, after the oral sex part of the story, I stayed,’ she explained to Megyn, appearing via satellite.
‘I didn’t run out. I stayed and I took a shower and an additional sexual assault happened there.’
Simmons responded to the allegations in a lengthy letter published by The Hollywood Reporter a few hours after Khalighi’s appearance on Today.
‘In our meeting many years later, and subsequent conversations, Keri never accused me of what she has said publicly,’ wrote Simmons.
‘She insisted I was not violent. She did tell me her boyfriend and many others found out about our long weekend together and she said she was ashamed by that discovery.’
He then added: ‘I am sorry for the embarrassment she recounted to me.’
Possible proof: Simmons again denied the incident while producing three affidavits from people he claims were at his apartment that weekend to back his claim (two affidavits above)
Ally: Ratner accuser Olivia Munn showed her support for Khalighi, who is expecting her third child on Monday, in a Twitter post (above)
Simmons also introduced the affidavits by stating they were proof that the ‘experiences that weekend with Keri Claussen Khalighi 26 years ago were consensual.’
It is unknown how these were obtained though and none give the specific dates of the encounter while, as previously mentioned, the names of two do the individuals who submitted these are unknown.
Ratner meanwhile has denied all of Kalighi’s claims through his attorney.
Kalighi did get some social media support from Olivia Munn, who previously accused Ratner of sexual misconduct, as she wrote: ‘Eloquent, powerful and 9 months pregnant. Keri Claussen Khaligi epitomizes what it means to be a woman. I’m amazed by her courage and bravery to speak out against Russell Simmons and Brett Ratner. I proudly stand behind you Keri and I am so thankful for your strength.’