Oprah defends exiting #MeToo doc after pressure from Russell Simmons: 'This is not a victory for him'

Oprah Winfrey is setting the record straight on her decision to pull out of "On the Record," a documentary focused on the #MeToo movement in the music industry, including disgraced mogul Russell Simmons.

During an interview on CBS This Morning Tuesday, Winfrey confirmed she received pressure from Simmons regarding her involvement in the film, but said her pulling out was not a win for the co-founder of Def Jam Recordings.

"This is not a victory for Russell, and I unequivocally say that I did not pull out because of Russell,” Winfrey said. “This is not a victory lap for him. I cannot be silenced by Russell Simmons after all I’ve been through.”

Winfrey added that it's "ridiculous" to think that she could be intimidated by Simmons.

Simmons, who has been accused of sexual abuse, has denied any wrongdoing. 

Winfrey, who served as an executive producer for the film, said she wanted to delay the debut in order to get it right.

"I think there are some inconsistencies in the stories that we need to look at," she said. "I wanted the context of the story to be broadened, I wanted more women brought into the story."

Winfrey told the Associated Press Friday that the film’s directors did not want to delay the film's release, which is scheduled to premiere Jan. 25 at the Sundance Film Festival.

The film’s producers, Impact Partners, said in a statement earlier this week that the movie was “ready for Sundance.”

“We have always championed the voices of those who have been wrongly silenced. The women in this film have made a great sacrifice by coming forward to tell their stories in their own words. We are honored to support them,” the Impact statement reads. “We stand firmly behind the work of the intrepid filmmakers who continue to break new ground by advancing important stories in the public interest.”

Despite leaving the project, Winfrey says she stands by the accusers.

"I believe that the women's voices deserve to be heard," she said.

Contributing: The Associated Press

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