According to legal documents filed in New York State Supreme Court, Oprah Winfrey has officially been subpoenaed in the high-profile defamation lawsuit filed by music executive Drew Dixon against hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons.
The lawsuit stems from Simmons’ public statements during a 2023 interview, where Dixon alleges he made defamatory comments about her credibility and motives. Dixon, a former A&R executive at Def Jam, publicly accused Simmons of sexual assault in a 1995 incident, allegations which she later detailed in the 2020 HBO Max documentary On the Record. The film follows several women who accused Simmons of sexual misconduct, with Dixon’s story at the center.
Winfrey’s connection to the lawsuit traces back to her early involvement with On the Record. She was initially listed as an executive producer and played a key role in bringing the documentary to public attention. But just weeks before its Sundance premiere, the media queen abruptly pulled her support, citing creative differences with the filmmakers. She also withdrew the film from Apple TV+, which was slated to stream as part of her partnership with the tech giant.
The move sparked backlash from supporters of the #MeToo movement and critics who viewed her withdrawal as a loss of momentum for the film’s reach. Winfrey publicly stated at the time:
“First and foremost, I want it to be known that I unequivocally believe and support the women. Their stories deserve to be told and heard. 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.”
Additionally, in an interview on ‘CBS This Morning’, Winfrey explained that she understood the importance of being believed as a victim of sexual assault herself. She mentioned identifying inconsistencies in the film and emphasized the need to get it right. Winfrey also stated that her decision to step back was not a victory for Russell Simmons and that she could not be silenced by him after all she had been through.
Dixon’s legal team now appears to be arguing that Winfrey’s initial backing of the film makes her a potential key witness in establishing how public figures contributed to or hindered the credibility of Dixon’s allegations and the documentary’s reach. The subpoena suggests they want Winfrey to clarify conversations, decisions, and any influence Simmons may have had in her exit.
Simmons has repeatedly denied all allegations of sexual misconduct. Since On the Record premiered, he has remained vocal in denying Dixon’s claims, calling them false and part of a broader effort to tear down his legacy.
There has been no official comment yet from Winfrey’s camp regarding the subpoena.
