Richard Simmons Speaks Out on Hostage Rumors

In a telephone interview with Today’s Savannah Guthrie, Richard Simmons addressed rumors surrounding his two-year absence from public life. A report from the New York Daily News over the weekend claimed that Simmons was being held against his will by his housekeeper, Teresa Reveles. But Simmons’s explanation for his increased privacy was much more benign. “I just sort of wanted to be a little bit of a loner for a while,” explained Simmons. “You know I had hurt my knee, Savannah, and I had some problems with it. And then the other knee started to give me trouble. ’Cause I’ve taught like thousands and thousands of classes.”

The fitness icon also spoke about worries over his mental state, a situation he has addressed in the past. “Survival has always, you know, meant a lot. When you’re an overweight kid and you’re made fun of, and you’re put down, some of that stuff never leaves you,” said Simmons. “It always sort of is like a shadow, like Peter Pan.” The one thing that Simmons wanted to make abundantly clear was that he was OK and appreciates the concern regarding his well-being.

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