Most celebs can't get enough media attention.
But flamboyant fitness guru Richard Simmons has kept such a low profile in recent years
that his lack of publicity has actually stirred up the press — especially after the runaway
success of the hit podcast Missing Richard Simmons.
But are the bizarre rumors that he was being held hostage in his own house even remotely
true?
Here's a look at what's really going on with Richard Simmons.
That Podcast
Former Daily Show producer Dan Taberski says he became concerned when he learned that Simmons,
a personal idol, had vanished from public sight and stopped returning calls from even
close friends back in 2014.
So naturally, he launched a podcast to investigate what happened to Simmons.
While some have accused Taberski of exploiting Simmons, the podcaster claims he's doing it
all in an effort to help Simmons and his fans.
“We can tell Richard Simmons that he’s loved and respected and we think he’s important,
and hopefully by getting out there and doing this, he’ll see that and hopefully talk
to me and let everybody know that he’s okay.”
Hostage crisis
According to TMZ, officers from the Los Angeles Police Department visited Simmons in January
2015 to conduct a welfare check.
A long-time friend had emailed the L.A. County District Attorney's elder abuse unit with
concerns that Simmons was being held against his will.
The police found no merit to the claim, and added that Simmons "couldn't have been nicer
and more gracious…he was articulate, lucid, relaxed and appreciative of their concern."
But reports that Simmons was a prisoner in his own home resurfaced in March 2016, when
the New York Daily News published a shocking story.
In it, Simmons' friends said they feared he was being held against his will inside his
Hollywood Hills mansion by his long-time housekeeper, Teresa Reveles.
That story was also quickly shot down by Simmons himself.
The fitness legend personally called in to the Today Show, telling them that Reveles
"has been with me for 30 years.
It's almost like we're a married couple."
“No one is holding me in my house as a hostage.
You know, I do what I wanna do, as I’ve always done.”
He's enjoying some "me time"
Simmons told Entertainment Tonight that his mysterious disappearance wasn't so mysterious
at all, as he simply needed to focus on himself while recovering from knee replacement surgery.
"I love all the people who worry about me.
But it was time for me to take some time to be by myself.
For the last 40 years I have been traveling, teaching classes, and I had a knee injury,
so I had a knee replacement, which was very difficult for me…
I have really just been taking it easy, staying at home, working out in my gym and doing the
things I haven't done in a very long time."
“I just want everyone to know that I love them very much, but it’s time right now
for Richard Simmons to take care of Richard Simmons.”
In other words: leave the guy alone!
Hiding in plain sight
Since Simmons hasn't been seen in public, or spoken directly to the press in three years,
many suspected he had become a shut in, never leaving his house.
But it turns out he's been hiding in plain sight.
According to TMZ, Simmons has regularly been out and about without being recognized simply
by using a cane and wearing a hat and street clothes — instead of sporting his signature
afro and tank top.
Clark Kent's glasses suddenly seem like a much more plausible disguise.
He was hospitalized twice
In June, 2016, fans went into a panic when TMZ reported that Simmons had been hospitalized
for "bizarre conduct."
Sources said the 67-year-old star was "acting in an unusually strange manner just before
midnight when someone at his Hollywood Hills home became sufficiently alarmed to call 911."
Simmons released a statement chalking the whole thing up to simple dehydration.
"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."
After being hospitalized again in April, 2017, for indigestion, Simmons's spokesman Michael
Catalano issued a statement saying that Simmons was "already feeling better and is expected
to make a full recovery."
He finally addressed his fans
The day after Catalano spoke to the press about Simmons' most recent medical woes, Simmons
himself made a surprise reappearance on social media to assure fans that he is totally fine
and that they probably shouldn't believe everything they hear in a podcast.
He wrote in a lengthy Facebook post,
"Aren't you sick of hearing and reading about me?!
Well by now you know that I'm not "missing," just a little under the weather.
I'm sure I will be feeling good and back home in a couple of days.
This has reminded me that when you need help you can't be afraid to reach out and ask for
it.
We all think we should always be able to solve our problems all by ourselves and sometimes
it's just bigger than we are.
I reached out and I hope you will too.
I'm sure there are people in your life who love and care for you and would do anything
to help you with the challenges you face.
Just knowing you care has already made me feel better.
Hope to see you again soon!
Love, Richard."
We hope to see you again soon too, Richard!
Thanks for watching!
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