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Culture March 29, 2019

Kimora Lee and Russell Simmons' daughter is going to Harvard -- and she's 16

PHOTO: Aoki Lee Simmons attends a benefit, July 15, 2017 in Water Mill, New York.
Johnny Nunez/Getty Images, FILE
Aoki Lee Simmons attends a benefit, July 15, 2017 in Water Mill, New York.

Here's an uplifting story for you on a Friday! Aoki Lee Simmons, the daughter of Kimora Lee and Russell Simmons is going to college at Harvard... and she's just 16.

The Instagram star posted a video Thursday, choking back tears as she finds out the huge news.

"I'm only 16 and I'm going to Harvard baby! Insert emotional crying face," she wrote. "Thank you so much to every single person who helped me along the way. I am excited and honored and so so grateful."

(MORE: This Georgia teen was accepted to over 50 colleges, awarded more than $1 million in scholarships)
View this post on Instagram

I'm only 16 and I'm going to Harvard baby! Insert emotional crying face. @kimoraleesimmons โ€œthank god you got in on your own honey cause you can't rowโ€ ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚ thank you so much to every single person who helped me along the way. I am excited and honored and so so grateful. ๐Ÿ‘ฉ๐Ÿฝโ€๐ŸŽ“๐Ÿ‘ฉ๐Ÿฝโ€๐ŸŽ“๐Ÿ‘ฉ๐Ÿฝโ€๐ŸŽ“ #harvard2023

A post shared by Aoki Lee Simmons ๐Ÿน (@aokileesimmons) on

Her mother couldn't contain the excitement either.

"We are sooo super proud of YOU!! Such hard work and only 16! You did it! It took years of super dedication and lots of tears! But HERE YOU ARE!!! GO GIRL!!! Enjoy the journey! We are excited to see the great things you will do!" she wrote. "Sorry I'm one of those SUPERLOUD MAMAS! She also got into Dartmouth, Vassar, Barnard etc!"

Among all the caps, Kimora Lee can also be heard in the background screaming for joy about her daughter's accomplishment.

(MORE: How 'Grown-ish' star Yara Shahidi plans to expand her activism in 2019)

In another video posted to Kimora Lee's page, she adds, "She really did it on her own merit and we're so really proud."

Russell also posted the news to his page, as an incredibly proud father, giving his ex-wife a shout out, as well.

View this post on Instagram

So blessed @aokileesimmons made it into HARVARD and Kimora Myself or Tim didn't have to pull any strings or pay anyone to get her in ๐Ÿ˜‚ she made it on her own academic merit โ€œAoki lee you are source of pride and inspiration to me, your whole family and the whole world at large As you know ..and should always remember ....We love u unconditionally Whether u have โ€œsuccess or failureโ€ in the world ... you will ALWAYS be very successful in the most important category.. because you are a compassionate loving spirit who will always have God your family and your extended families love... โค๏ธ ...Remember this as as you continue on your path .. God favors YOU ..and in this lifetime he will use you to do great work for the greater good of this world I'm so thankful to have u as my daughter I love you soooo much

A post shared by Russell Simmons (@unclerush) on

"Hear that in the background That's the scary voice of a very special mother the very best mother on the planet @kimoraleesimmons none of this is possible w/out her," the hip-hop mogul wrote.

Get the tissues out as Russell added, "Aoki lee you are source of pride and inspiration to me, your whole family and the whole world at large As you know ..and should always remember ....We love u unconditionally Whether u have 'success or failure' in the world ... you will ALWAYS be very successful in the most important category.. because you are a compassionate loving spirit who will always have God your family and your extended families love."

(MORE: $5 million sexual assault lawsuit against Russell Simmons dismissed)

As you can see from her Instagram feed, Aoki is a dedicated fan of literature and an activist, often trying to help those less fortunate.

View this post on Instagram

Yay! Donated my first photo! Swipe to see how you can donate your own and support the @theunmentionablesorg . Each photo = 1 dollar and you can do one every day! Comment when you've done it!

A post shared by Aoki Lee Simmons ๐Ÿน (@aokileesimmons) on

She often posts to her almost half a million followers about famous writers like Oscar Wilde, among others.

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I'm really proud of this meme I made....

A post shared by Aoki Lee Simmons ๐Ÿน (@aokileesimmons) on

She also supports causes like the UN's Gender Innovation Principles, which aims to "include women throughout the innovation life cycle."

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Incredibly honored to have met the Under Secretary General of the United Nations and Executive Directer of UN Women, Madam Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ at the Launch of the Gender Innovation Principles at the @nasdaq today!

A post shared by Aoki Lee Simmons ๐Ÿน (@aokileesimmons) on

Congrats to Aoki and her proud parents!