It wasn't easy for Drew Dixon, a former A&R executive at Def Jam, to come forward with allegations against her one-time boss music mogul Russell Simmons. In December 2017, when she accused Simmons of sexual harassment and rape in The New York Times, she became one of the most high-profile women of color to speak out in the early days of the #MeToo movement. (Simmons has denied all allegations of abuse.) The Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering-directed documentary shows what went into Dixon's difficult decision to speak out while also exploring the difficulties that Black women face when telling stories of abuse.
Those challenges became even more real in the lead-up to the film's release. Oprah Winfrey pulled out as producer of the project because of "creative differences," which led Apple TV+ to back out as the film's streamer at the last minute. (The documentary was picked up by HBO Max.) Winfrey's statement came after she was called out by Simmons and others, including 50 Cent, for taking part in the film.
Since 2017, at least 20 women have accused Simmons of sexual misconduct, and those accounts are laid out in "On the Record." Those who have come forward include journalist Toni Sallie; former singer, now lawyer Tina Baker; and screenwriter Jenny Lumet. Simmons has faced no legal consequences for his alleged crimes.
