Simmons last strutted down the red carpet at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards wearing green leggings. (Getty)
A new report says Richard Simmons has followed in the steps of Caitlyn Jenner and transitioned into a woman named Fiona, according to The National Enquirer. The tabloid magazine reported the fitness guru underwent breast implant and castration surgery as well as undergone hormone treatments.
Simmons quickly fired back, denying the Enquirer story through his representative. The story is “absolute madness and not true,” the rep told TMZ.
Take the story with a grain of salt. The National Enquirer has filed several dubious reports recently including Ted Cruz having five mistresses and his father’s link to the assassination of John F. Kennedy. When Donald Trump repeated the latter story, Politifact determined his statement as a “Pants on Fire” lie.
Here’s what you need to know.
1. Simmons’ Rep Called the Transition Story ‘Absolute Madness’
Simmons issued a statement through his rep denying the story of his reported transition into a woman. The rep told TMZ that the story is “absolute madness and not true.”
The “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” host was hospitalized last week at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles. TMZ reports someone at his Hollywood Hills home became concerned with Simmons “unusually strange manner” and called 911. Paramedics arrived and determined her should go to the hospital.
Simmons remained in the hospital from June 3 to 6. TMZ obtained a photo of him sporting a full beard. He also released a statement to Entertainment Tonight explaining the real reason he was hospitalized.
Thank you to everyone who has reached out with love and concern after hearing I was in the hospital. I was dehydrated and needed some fluids and now I am feeling great! Summer is here – drink plenty of liquids. Big hugs and kisses for caring.
2. Enquirer Reported Simmons Is a ‘Softly Spoken Woman Named Fiona’
The National Enquirer reported Simmons has transitioned and is going by the name Fiona. The magazine published multiple photos of a person who looked like Simmons wearing wigs and dresses. The cover photo showed Simmons dressed in a white fur cover and black lingerie.
A friend of Simmons told the publication, “[This is] not just Richard Simmons in drag. This is Richard dressed as a softly spoken woman named Fiona!” Another insider said Simmons felt there was “someone trapped inside of him.”
Simmons has remained in seclusion in his $5 million Hollywood Hills mansion for nearly 1,000 days. The Enquirer reported he has spent the last two years undergoing multiple surgeries including breast implants, hormone treatments and a castration surgery.
3. Simmons Has Denied Reports of Depression and Being Kept Captive in His Home
Simmons was last seen riding a float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2013. (Getty)
Simmons made his last public appearance during the 2013 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade where he rode on a turtle float wearing a Beetlejuice-like outfit. Since then, he has released several statements commenting on his health and gave an on-phone interview with Today to deny a story that he was being held captive in his home.
In March, the New York Daily News reported Simmons was being held against his will in his Hollywood Hills home by his brother Leonard, live-in housekeeper, Teresa, and his manager. His masseur and former assistant Mauro Oliveira told the Daily News that when he went to visit Simmons in April 2014, his friend told him that he could no longer see him.
Following the Daily News report, Simmons called into Today to respond in a live phone interview with co-anchor Savannah Guthrie on March 14:
No one is holding me in my house as a hostage. You know I do what I want to do as I’ve always done, so people should sort of just believe what I have to say because, like, I’m Richard Simmons!
4. A Friend Told the Enquirer He Has Dressed as ‘Fiona’ in Miami Beach, Brazil and Venice
Simmons wore a fur coat to keep warm during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. (Getty)
Simmons has dressed as a woman on occasion, Radar Online reported in March. An insider told Radar at the time, “Richard would go into great detail about the outfits he would wear,” an insider said at the time. “It’s a fun thing for him to do.”
He also has eluded the public, dressing as Fiona in a number of exotic locations. He first hit the town as Fiona when he visited a close friend in Brazil and wore a rainbow-colored wig, spoke softly and “had all the mannerisms of a woman, the Enquirers source said. He also dressed as Fiona at the Bâoli Miami Restaurant Lounge in Miami Beach and sported a “Kelly Osbourne-style purple wig” while touring Venice, Italy.
5. Simmons Continues to ‘Inspire and Motivate People to Lose Weight’ Behind the Scenes
Simmons has used his social media to continue inspiring people to lose weight.
Simmons’ rep Tom Estey told Us Weekly that his client “has decided to live quietly the last few years.” A few years ago, Simmons underwent knee surgery, which has kept him out of commission.
Estey added that Simmons remains on “Twitter and Facebook and works behind the scenes continuing to inspire and motivate people to lose weight. When he decides to come back, he will come back.”