Over the weekend, The NY Daily News posted an article about how Richard Simmons’ friends are worried about him and fear that he is possibly being held captive by his maid of 30 years since he hasn’t been seen in over in public or by his friends in over 2 years. Today, he spoke with Today and denied all of that.
Savannah Guthrie started their phone call of by asking him how he is doing and he said, “I’m feeling good, my health is good and I am sort of enjoying the day.” When she asked if he was being held captive, he told her, “No one is holding me in my house as a hostage. I do what I want to do as I have always done. So people should sort of believe what I have to say because like, I’m Richard Simmons.”
Then he explained why we haven’t seen him two years. He said. “I just sort of want to be a little bit of a loner for a while. You know, I had hurt my knee, and I had some problems with it, and then the other knee started giving me trouble because I’ve taught like thousands and thousands of classes, and you know right now I just want to sort of take care of me.”
When asked if this was his decision, he sadly said, “I just really don’t want to do anything, you know. I just don’t want to be traveling anymore. It certainly has taken its toll on me, so it was not like over a day, it was just over some time.”
How is he spending the time? He goes for walks, drives and works out in his own personal gym at his house. In fact, he even told Entertainment Tonight‘s Brad Bessey that he has not gained weight and still weighs 150 pounds.
Before he hung up the phone, he had a message for his fans who are worried about him. He said, “For all the people that were worrying about me, I want to tell them that I love them with my whole heart and soul and that not to worry, Richard’s fine.” Concluding the call with, “You haven’t seen the last of me. I’ll come back, and I’ll come back strong.”
I don’t know what is going and it is not really my place to judge, but I find it so weird for that someone who feeds off of human attention and is so kind to others, suddenly desires to just be alone for so long. I hope whatever he is going through, passes soon. The world is much brighter place with his smile, attitude and and crazy outfits. We need out Richard Simmons back.
What do you think of his phone call?
