Not Skinny But Not Fat Host: Amanda Hirsch (Dear Media)
Episode: Kimora Lee Simmons is Back in the Fab Lane
Date: December 9, 2025

Episode Overview

In this candid and energetic episode, host Amanda Hirsch sits down with legendary model, entrepreneur, and reality TV icon Kimora Lee Simmons to discuss her return to television after 14 years with her new E! reality series, Kimora: Back in the Fab Lane. The conversation dives deep into Kimora’s experiences as a businesswoman, single mother of five (plus a “bonus” child or two), the return of her iconic brand Baby Phat, her thoughts on aging, parenting in the public eye, and so much more. Kimora brings her signature humor, honesty, and rawness to a chat that’s as heartfelt as it is juicy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Kimora’s Return to Reality TV ([03:07 – 07:48])

• Kimora discusses the decision to return to reality TV with her family after 14 years off-screen.
  • “I always have a lot going on. I never feel like this is time… I wasn’t quite ready for this either.” (Kimora, [06:38])
  • She describes herself as “meticulous” and only able to take filming “in doses.”
  • Kimora sees her show as a true family-business reality show, distinct from the heavily manufactured drama of shows like The Real Housewives.
  • On not doing Real Housewives: “I didn’t want to like fight with these girls. I didn’t want to have like manufactured drama... that’s just my humble opinion.” (Kimora, [08:47])

Early Reality TV Days & the Kardashians ([04:41 – 07:31])

• Amanda notes both Kimora’s and the Kardashians’ family reality shows debuted in 2007, making Kimora “an originator.”
• Kimora comments on the different formats back in the day: “Before us was maybe like Osbournes... it was a different format... where cameras are actually everywhere, like maybe even in the bathroom.” (Kimora, [05:07])

Modeling, Motherhood, and Body Image ([09:41 – 14:25])

• Kimora explains starting in modeling at age 10 and moving to Paris by age 13, but left to build her own fashion business because the industry was “predatorial, it’s scary... it seemed a little bit superficial.” (Kimora, [11:49])
• On pregnancy and body changes: “After the first kid it’s really no problem, the second one probably not—but after that, it’s wild... I was in more mom and CEO mode, not like model mode.” (Kimora, [10:09])
• On turning 50: “I feel like I’m in great shape. I work out every other day... The bare minimum to get by.” (Kimora, [12:33–13:09])

Beauty Standards, Aging, and Cosmetic Procedures ([13:37 – 17:17])

• Kimora opens up about her beauty routine:
  • “If you stay a little more natural as you age, it looks better... You can see in my face. I don’t have like a lot of crazy filler. None. See how it moves?” (Kimora, [14:55])
  • On the trend of young women getting procedures: “It’s too much, you guys. And you guys are actually aging your face.” (Kimora, [15:52])
  • She advises her daughters against any cosmetic interventions at a young age: “We talk about this all the time. And I say no. And you don’t need it.” (Kimora, [16:54])

Kimora’s Daughters: Ming and Aoki ([17:17 – 18:09], [23:21 – 24:33])

• Amanda highlights Aoki’s early admission to Harvard and modeling.
  • Kimora describes Aoki as still “running around the world,” loving travel and Asia.
  • “They grew up with me... but now they have their own lives and I definitely don’t make them do [the show].” (Kimora, [23:29 – 24:14])
• On their relationship: Ming is “my mini-me” and “definitely a stalker,” while Aoki is more independent. (Kimora, [26:29])
• On parent-child boundaries: “My shower is really big. Let’s start with that... [Ming] thinks she’s 10 but she’s 20. She’s jealous of Wolfie getting all the attention.” (Kimora, [27:00 – 27:42])

Parenting, Adoption, and Family Dynamics ([28:46 – 34:46])

• Kimora shares about her blended household—biological, adopted, and “bonus” kids.
  • On adopting Gary: “For people who adopt children, you know that it’s not really you that’s doing the picking. It’s kind of like them that’s picking you. It’s a divine timing.” (Kimora, [30:11])
• Family operates as one unit: “Everybody under the mom is all siblings... at home, it’s not like, ‘Good morning, step-step.’ She calls me mom.” (Kimora, [33:10])
• She plays both boy mom and girl mom, noting the dynamics and how she’s now outnumbered by boys in the house.

Single Motherhood & Co-Parenting ([35:01 – 36:41], [45:24 – 47:21])

• Amanda asks if the dads are involved: “Not involved. I’m alone. There’s no co-parenting.” (Kimora, [35:04])
• On being the default parent: “They could never see the dad for a million ever games, and if you miss one, it’s like, ‘Mom, you weren’t there.’” (Kimora, [36:26])
• Discusses public perceptions that she has “a thousand nannies,” clarifying she has support but is always the primary parent.
• Kimora candidly addresses Aoki’s public drama with her father and personal pain as a mother: “It hurt me a lot for her... I felt for her. I’m right there in the trenches with my kids at all times.” (Kimora, [47:36])

Public Scrutiny, Headlines, and the Aoki Age-Gap Relationship ([49:14 – 51:47])

• Amanda brings up the widely-covered story of Aoki being seen with a much older man.
  • Kimora reflects: “Why is it a big deal though? Because if you look back... you see [age-gap relationships] all the time.” (Kimora, [49:28])
  • Ultimately: “I do think it’s predatorial. Kind of crazy.” (Kimora, [51:46])
  • She found out at the same time as the public and emphasizes letting her children make their own mistakes.

Kimora’s Love Life ([52:08 – 53:43])

• Kimora confirms she’s single and not actively dating: “Not actively seeking. Yes. Not actively.” (Kimora, [52:35])
• On dating preferences: “I like brains. I like intelligence. I want to be able to talk. That’s why I don’t understand these men that are 162 and want to talk to a 5-year-old.” (Kimora, [53:44])

Baby Phat: Past, Present, and Future ([53:56 – 57:37])

• Kimora celebrates reacquiring her iconic brand, comparing it to “buying back your masters... It’s emotional. It’s like your first baby.” (Kimora, [54:58])
• Baby Phat celebrated 25 years; new designs and a special edition varsity jacket launched.
• On the evolution of New York Fashion Week: “It’s still a thing... but I don’t feel like it’s what it was 25 years ago... Now it’s a little bit different.” (Kimora, [55:45])

Fun, Notable Quotes

• “Even a supermodel has her moments. Mom is a mama is a mama.” (Kimora, [58:10])
• On staying real: “If you do that when you’re so young, then what are you going to do when you’re older?” (Kimora, [16:32])
• About her brand: “It was like the thing, and Fat was the thing—it’s like, Fat, p-h. You coined that thing!” (Amanda, [54:02])
• On blended families: “Whoever’s under that main parent... that’s your family and that’s your base.” (Kimora, [33:43])
• “You have to move, you have to work out, you have to get out there. Do all these things we hate.” (Kimora [13:14])
• “I don’t care about any of that. Growing up, I was never the friend that had to have the male model or Adonis-looking thing like that.” (Kimora, [53:32])

Notable Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:07] — Introduction of Kimora and overview of her new show
• [05:07] — OG reality TV format comparisons
• [09:41] — Pregnancy, body image, and escape from superficial modeling
• [13:37] — Exercise and routine at 50
• [15:52] — Thoughts on young women getting fillers/Botox
• [17:24] — Daughters’ modeling careers and independence
• [23:29] — Fame, boundaries, and not forcing her kids into TV
• [28:46] — Family dynamics, adoption, and household blending
• [35:01] — Single parenting, co-parenting absence
• [47:36] — Managing family drama, Aoki and her father
• [49:14] — Aoki’s controversial age-gap relationship
• [53:56] — Baby Phat’s comeback, emotional business journey
• [55:45] — Evolution of NY Fashion Week

Episode Tone

Light-hearted, frank, and peppered with both humor and emotional honesty. Amanda’s chatty but incisive style meets Kimora’s unfiltered realness for a fast-paced, highly entertaining, and informative episode.

This summary captures the full arc of an episode that’s equally about pop culture nostalgia, serious parenting wisdom, and the enduring fabulosity of Kimora Lee Simmons.