Why was Oprah Winfrey subpoenaed in Russell Simmons’s case? Could her involvement help Drew Dixon win her case?
A former music executive is fighting to clear her name, a hip-hop legend is in the hot seat, and now a beloved TV icon is being called to testify.
This isn’t a movie plot—it’s real life, and it’s happening right now. Drew Dixon, who once worked at Def Jam Recordings, has accused Russell Simmons of serious wrongdoing.
She’s now taking her case to the next level by pulling Oprah Winfrey into the mix. What’s going on, and why is Oprah involved? Let’s break it down.
Oprah Winfrey Subpoenaed: The Background of the Case
Drew Dixon used to be a rising star in the music world. In the 1990s, she worked at Def Jam, a famous record label co-founded by Russell Simmons.
In 2017, she came forward with a heavy claim: she said Simmons raped her in 1995 at his New York apartment. Simmons has denied this and other accusations from multiple women over the years.
No criminal charges have been filed against him because the alleged events happened too long ago to prosecute.
But Dixon isn’t staying quiet. In 2024, she filed a lawsuit against Simmons, saying he defamed her—meaning he hurt her reputation—by calling her story false in a 2023 interview.
In that interview with journalist Graham Bensinger, Simmons said he was never forceful with anyone and suggested some accusers might just want fame.
He also brought up Oprah Winfrey, claiming she backed away from a project about his accusers because she found problems with their stories.
That project was a documentary called On the Record, and it’s at the heart of why Oprah’s name is now in the spotlight.
Why Oprah Winfrey Is Involved?
Who decided Oprah Winfrey should be subpoenaed in Russell Simmons’s case?
Oprah Winfrey was once tied to On the Record, a film that explored the allegations against Simmons, including Dixon’s story.
She was an executive producer but stepped away in 2020 before it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
Oprah said she believed the women but felt the documentary needed more work to get the full picture right.
After she left, the film found a home on HBO Max instead of Apple TV+, where it was originally planned.
Now, Dixon’s legal team wants Oprah to hand over documents and recordings from her time working on the film.
They’ve issued a subpoena—a legal order—asking her to share anything that might help prove Simmons lied about her.
The subpoena also says Oprah might need to testify in court. This move has surprised many, as it drags one of the world’s most famous women into a messy legal fight she likely didn’t expect to join.
What’s Next for Everyone Involved?
This case is far from over. Dixon’s lawsuit claims Simmons has tried to ruin her reputation, and she wants him held accountable.
Simmons, who now lives in Bali, continues to say he’s innocent. Oprah hasn’t said anything publicly about the subpoena yet, but she has until mid-March 2025 to respond with the requested materials.
The outcome could affect how people see all three of them—Dixon, Simmons, and Winfrey—for years to come.
This legal battle isn’t just about one person’s story. It’s part of a bigger conversation about believing accusers, holding powerful people responsible, and how the truth gets told in Hollywood.
As more details come out, the world will be watching to see what happens next in this unexpected twist involving a music mogul, a brave accuser, and a TV legend.
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