Everyone needs some “me” time – even Richard Simmons. That’s the explanation Lenny Simmons is giving for the fitness guru’s absence from polite society for the past three years. His exact words were, “I would just hope people [can] be a little bit more respectful and realize that he’s worked hard and he still loves people – but he needs some time for himself.”
Richard’s older brother claims he speaks to Mr. “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” every week and that he’s fine. Lenny said, “He calls me and we have a great conversation and then he talks to my wife. He probably talks to my wife longer than he talks to me.”
Lenny shot down allegations that Richard’s housekeeper is holding him hostage. In fact, he calls Teresa Reveles a “very lovely lady,” adding, “She has been a good friend of my brother for over 20 some-odd years. It stresses me to hear that people think that she his holding him hostage or that she is mean. She isn’t. She is a very nice person.” Both Simmons’ rep, Tom Estey, and Richard himself have confirmed that.
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