Aoki Lee Simmons isn’t standing for how she says she has been treated at Harvard University.

As previously reported by AfroTech, she is the youngest daughter of Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons. After enrolling at Harvard at only 16-years-old, Simmons has been pursuing modeling just like her mother along with a degree in computer science. However, according to Simmons’ TikTok, her professors have been disregarding her career, and the 20-year-old has spoken out.

@aokileesimmonsMaybe if I had a lacrosse game you’d give me the zoom link?♬ Back End – Finesse2tymes

“When professors love being accommodating for students with jobs and work opportunities they ‘respect,’ but modeling isn’t real work, in their opinion,” she wrote in the TikTok video. 

Response From TikTok Users

When met with a user saying that her fellow classmates were working for a living, she negated the claim.

“I know plenty of students who are voluntarily taking on other jobs to boost their resume or get a head start on a career. I’m literally talking about startups funded by students’ family money, ‘enriching’ work trips, stuff like that. But go off,” she said via TikTok.

"Isn’t Having A Work Ethic Still Positive?"

"The Ones Picking And Choosing What Kind Of Dreams Are Appropriate To Chase"

“I was referring just students who choosing to start work early because they have an opportunity or they have an interest. And the professors are picking and choosing what kind of dreams are appropriate to chase. And the ones that are not appropriate to chase tend to be creative or more feminine — modeling, dancing, acting, creative pursuits. But professors are fine giving you the Zoom link or being accommodating if you’re doing a startup that is making no money and your family is paying for it,” Simmons said via TikTok.  

She added: “Because a startup is respectable, but someone working in the creative field making money, doing well, getting experiences … that’s somehow not okay.”

Standing By Her Passion

The situation with Simmons’ professors marks yet another instance of her defending her double pursuit of education and modeling.

Previously, she addressed the question of “You’re so articulate and obviously educated .. how come u chose modeling?” on TikTok.

@aokileesimmons Replying to @kthadon4 ♬ original sound – Aokileesimmons 🇫🇷🇰🇷🇯🇵

“Well, one, models aren’t uneducated and not articulate, but two, I think what you’re really getting at is, ‘Why am I going into a field that doesn’t necessarily require a degree or require a whole lot of book smarts when I have a lot of education?'” Simmons said in the video.

She continued: “Well, one, because I love it, and I think we should normalize liking something. You don’t have to do what you’re immediately good at.”

Crossing The Harvard Finish Line

Simmons is set to graduate from Harvard in 2023.