Community Chat

[Mz iMac]

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

[puttypiesmom]

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@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

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

[sidsmom]

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.

[Scooby Doo]

No wonder he's become a recluse.

[september]

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. 

[MoJoV]

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? 

[NicksmomESQ]

  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!!

[september]

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. 

[mantaraye]

@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.

[Lucky Charm]

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?