Aoki Lee Simmons Publicly Praises Her Harvard Professors During Fashion Week!
By Melanie VanDerveer on September 2, 2022 at 2:00 PM EDT
Aoki Lee Simmons is multitasking school and a high-profile job. The 19-year-old Harvard University student is gearing up to walk the runway during New York Fashion Week, which means she's going to miss some classes. Luckily, she has some understanding professors and she's showing her appreciation for them with a shout-out on her Instagram Story.
Simmons Appreciates The Understanding Professors
"Shout to professors who are understanding and accommodating about Fashion week! Like I'm happy to do any extra work required and I'm sorry about the occasional abscences. Finding an understanding professor is the beat," she wrote.
Breaking The Stereotype Of The Word "Modeling"
She also posted a Story that reads, "Maybe because it's harvard but certain professors will hear "modeling" and laugh in your face. It's always nerve wracking explaining why you need an absence for work. But some won't even discuss it whether you are willing to zoom in, write an extra paper, turn the homework in earlier, whatever. Some won't even try to meet you half way."
Simmons Recently Defended Her Decision To Model While In College
The model recently publicly defended her choice to pursue modeling while going to college because of a comment on one of her TikTok videos that asked why someone "articulate and obviously educated" would choose modeling. "Well one, because I love it, and I think we should normalize you liking something. You don't have to do what you're immediately good at," she said.
She continued her video by explaining that she wants women to know that they do not have to follow any specific path and they should do what they really love to do. "I really want us to move towards a future where young women are not being asked this question. Like, you're not being asked, 'Why did you follow your more creative passion even though you're smart? Like I would like to change the idea that you can't be smart and pretty, or you can't be smart and enjoy your looks or enjoy a creative, beauty fashion-based career," she explained. "You can be two kinds of people in one person."
Simmons Will Be Walking The Runway For Fashion Week 2022
The model made her runway debut last year for Pyer Moss Paris Couture. She has also modeled for her family's Baby Phat line and Just Fab. Simmons posted some snaps of her getting ready for this year's New York Fashion Week on her Instagram page. She captioned the post, "The most wonderful time of the year (unless you are my in-class participation grade!) #fashionweek"
Simmons Was Accepted Into Harvard University At Age 16
The Harvard University class of 2023 student just had her last first day of school, which she commemorated in an Instagram Story. Back in March 2019, her mom, Kimora Lee Simmons, announced on Instagram that her daughter was accepted into Harvard University at just 16-years-old. “Yaaayyyyy @aokileesimmons!! She’s on her way to #Harvard!! We are so proud of YOU!! Such hard work and only 16! You did it! It took years of super dedication and lots of tears! But HERE YOU ARE!!! GO GIRL!!!
