topic Re: ✨ Remember Richard Simmons? ✨ in Community Chat

✨ Remember Richard Simmons? ✨

Mz iMac — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 02:17:49 GMT

Richard Simmons was ordered to pay nearly $130,000 to the National Inquirer and Radar Online after the exercise guru sued the two media outlets for running a series of articles alleging he was transitioning to become a woman.

Simmons, 69, was ordered by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Gregory Keosian Friday to pay the media outlets’ attorneys’ fees and American Media, their publisher, the LA Times reported.

The defendants sought $220,000 in a motion filed in January that Simmons’ lawyers dubbed a “billing fiesta.”

Simmons sued the media outlets in May for a series of articles that alleged the fitness guru was transitioning to become a woman. He alleged that, while he holds no personal ill-feelings toward the transgender community, the articles were false and defamatory to his character. Simmons’ lawyers argued that as a public figure, he has a legal right to “not be portrayed as someone he is not.”

However, Keosian ruled that alleging someone is transgender is not necessarily defamatory. Keosian dismissed Simmons case on Sept. 1, 2017.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Simmons is “appealing the dismissal motion.”

LINK TO ARTICLE

Re: ✨ Remember Richard Simmons? ✨

puttypiesmom — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 02:28:47 GMT

@Mz iMacwrote:
Richard Simmons was ordered to pay nearly $130,000 to the National Inquirer and Radar Online after the exercise guru sued the two media outlets for running a series of articles alleging he was transitioning to become a woman.
Simmons, 69, was ordered by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Gregory Keosian Friday to pay the media outlets’ attorneys’ fees and American Media, their publisher, the LA Times reported.
The defendants sought $220,000 in a motion filed in January that Simmons’ lawyers dubbed a “billing fiesta.”
Simmons sued the media outlets in May for a series of articles that alleged the fitness guru was transitioning to become a woman. He alleged that, while he holds no personal ill-feelings toward the transgender community, the articles were false and defamatory to his character. Simmons’ lawyers argued that as a public figure, he has a legal right to “not be portrayed as someone he is not.”
However, Keosian ruled that alleging someone is transgender is not necessarily defamatory. Keosian dismissed Simmons case on Sept. 1, 2017.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Simmons is “appealing the dismissal motion.”

LINK TO ARTICLE

Wow. Tom Cruise successfully won a lawsuit when one (I think the National Inquirer) said he was gay. Why would that be litigated differently?

Re: ✨ Remember Richard Simmons? ✨

sidsmom — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 02:32:18 GMT

I feel sorry for Richard Simmons.

He’s just a kind soul not hurting anyone.

He’s helped so many throughout the years and

this is what the tabloids feed on. Shame.

Re: ✨ Remember Richard Simmons? ✨

Scooby Doo — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 02:33:23 GMT

No wonder he's become a recluse.

Re: ✨ Remember Richard Simmons? ✨

september — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 02:35:35 GMT

I do remember him. Last year I listened to a multi series podcast about him, and how he just appeared to disappear from the public eye.

I think the the transgender issue was briefly mentioned, but the podcast mainly addressed how he was such a public figure, then became so reclusive. The police even got involved, and visited him. Found out he was fine and said he just wanted to live in privacy for the rest of his life.

His fitness studio closed and his employees all lost their jobs.

Re: ✨ Remember Richard Simmons? ✨

MoJoV — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 02:55:03 GMT

Richard Simmons has endured alot over the years,everyone making fun of him etc. I know the bullying sort of comes with being a public figure these days. But the Inquirer is a piece of trash. Since Simmons has ceased to become a public figure,why don't they just leave him alone after all these years?

Re: ✨ Remember Richard Simmons? ✨

NicksmomESQ — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 02:54:24 GMT

I always liked Richard Simmons.He helped a lot of people believe in themselves & lose weight .He was such a kind loving soul.

I think he had a lot of personal problems/ insecurities that eventually became overwhelming.I hope he is surrounded by kind loving people.I hope they are nurturing & are caring for him!!

Re: ✨ Remember Richard Simmons? ✨

september — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 03:16:52 GMT

He said in the podcast, that he just wants to live a quiet life now. He lives with his longtime housekeeper, who some say is more of a "wife" to him.

Re: ✨ Remember Richard Simmons? ✨

mantaraye — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 03:25:38 GMT

@MoJoV There are people buying this trashy Enquirer, and that’s what allows this rag to feed off rumors and gossip. Some folks think it’s believable....small minds.

Re: ✨ Remember Richard Simmons? ✨

Lucky Charm — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 03:36:26 GMT

I hope Simmons wins his appeal.

I strongly disagree with the judges decision saying that someone is 'allegedly' transgender isn't defamatory.

It's not up to a judge to decide someone's threshold (for the lack of a better word) for tolerance to what could be said about them that can't or needn't be proven. (Unless of course if it involved something unlawful.)

I really hope Richard Simmons doesn't have to pay one red cent. He deserves justice. No jury?

Re: ✨ Remember Richard Simmons? ✨

makena — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 03:51:57 GMT

Sounds like a biased judge.

Re: ✨ Remember Richard Simmons? ✨

Drythe — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 05:02:06 GMT

I read an article in People sometime ago.

Seemed well researched, no bashing, or accusations.

Can understand why he is so tired of people and wants to get away.

Re: ✨ Remember Richard Simmons? ✨

shoekitty — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 05:11:57 GMT

Cleaning top kitchen cabinet last yeari found the original deal a meal. You know, that thing makes sense

Re: ✨ Remember Richard Simmons? ✨

Mz iMac — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 08:10:41 GMT

@Lucky Charmwrote:
I hope Simmons wins his appeal.

I strongly disagree with the judges decision saying that someone is 'allegedly' transgender isn't defamatory.

It's not up to a judge to decide someone's threshold (for the lack of a better word) for tolerance to what could be said about them that can't or needn't be proven. (Unless of course if it involved something unlawful.)

@Lucky CharmPer Wiki....

The judge ruled that "because courts have long held that a misidentification of certain immutable characteristics do not naturally tend to injure one's reputation, even if there is sizeable portion of the population who hold prejudices against those characteristics, misidentification of a person as transgender is not actionable defamation absent special damages."

Re: ✨ Remember Richard Simmons? ✨

Bri36 — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 10:11:13 GMT

I think it's wrong he has to pay.

Re: ✨ Remember Richard Simmons? ✨

Nataliesgramma — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 10:38:32 GMT

I wish him well...I think he has mental issues

Re: ✨ Remember Richard Simmons? ✨

Oznell — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 10:56:51 GMT

@Lucky Charm, you have a legal mind! Thank you for putting in a nutshell the reason why Simmons should have every right to challenge the story. He should be receiving damages, not having to pay tabloids legal expenses.

I do hope he goes through with his appeal.

Re: ✨ Remember Richard Simmons? ✨

cherry — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 10:59:59 GMT

Who knows what will be the tipping point ,to push someone that is unwell over the edge?

That judge needs to be voted out of office. People are entitled to their privacy ,as long as they aren't doing something immoral or illegal. You shouldn't be able to put this kind of thing in print, just to make a buck or two, as far as I am concerned. It is a personal matter

I feel very sorry for Richard and I wish him well. I was never a fan, nor a follower, but I would never do this to anyone

Re: ✨ Remember Richard Simmons? ✨

threecees — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 12:26:08 GMT

He always had a smile on his face.

Used to watch him on General Hospital.

Re: ✨ Remember Richard Simmons? ✨

qualitygal — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 12:30:59 GMT

Slander of a person's character, is still slander. If he felt that way he had a right to sue. He was always a sweet and nice person.