Richard Simmons doesn’t let anyone knock him down!
74-year-old beloved I sweat with old people legend shared a heartfelt message of self-love with his Facebook followers on Tuesday, noting that he’s confident in himself, even when others use him as a point.
“For as long as I can remember, people have made fun of me,” Simmons wrote in the message. “And people still make fun of me. But you know what? I’m glad to be me! You should be glad to be you.”
The fitness guru then recommended songs he listened to again that helped him through the tough times: Gloria Gaynor’s disco classic “I Will Survive,” the Broadway standard “I Am What I Am” (from Jerry Herman’s 1983 hit La Cage aux Folles) and “This Is Me” — the 2017 Oscar-nominated ballad The greatest showman.
“These songs will lift you up”, he wrote and signed “Love, Richard”,
Simmons shared that he’s been “made fun of” his whole life in a Facebook post.
American Broadcasting Corporation via Getty
Richard Simmons says he’s ‘fine and happy’ in rare public statement after denying involvement in Pauly Shore biopic
Simmons’ latest post sparked an outpouring of love and support from fans in the comments section, with many expressing how they “miss” the star.
Although she has been out of the limelight for years, Simmons has recently been using her Facebook page to share inspiring messages of support and love.
“All I want for you all is to be happy and at peace,” he wrote on January 19. “Please don’t let anyone be mean to you or put you down. You don’t deserve it. Never forget that I keep you all in my prayers every night Know your worth.”
The Jan. 24 post read: “I don’t know what you’re going through in your life, but I want you to stay as positive as possible. Things will get better. I promise.”
“Take your left hand and place it on your right shoulder. Take your right hand and place it on your left shoulder. Now squeeze and give yourself a big hug!” he wrote on January 25. “Don’t wait for someone else to hug you. Hug yourself every day and know what a wonderful person you are!”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x0:1001x2)/richard-simmons-68631d1efd9e4bd1983ea6871a44b417.jpg)
Richard Simmons. Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Facebook was also where Simmons cleared up rumors about himself.
After news broke earlier this month that a Simmons biopic was in development at Warner Bros. subsidiary The Wolper Organization — starring comedian Pauly Shore as the fitness star — Simmons took to the social media platform to explain that he “never gave my permission for this film.”
“I’ve had many people ask me for interviews,” he wrote on January 22. “But I don’t want to do them right now. It’s a gray and rainy day here in Los Angeles, but my heart is filled with your kindness to me. Love, Richard.”
Richard Simmons, 75, denies involvement in biopic in rare public message: ‘I’m just trying to live a quiet life’
The Wolper Organization commented on Simmons’ lack of involvement with the project in a statement to Diversity: “Although we would like to have [Simmons] involved, we respect his desire for privacy and plan to produce a film that honors him, celebrates him and tells a dramatic story.”
“We know that he is deeply intimate and we would never want to intrude on that,” the production company added. “However, he is an incredible person who has changed the lives of millions of people, and the effect he has had on the world should be recognized.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/pauly-shore-traks-pm-011924-83f7b77be28a48e4a8dc60ea6cd34331.jpg)
Simmons’ announcement comes as Pauly Shore portrays him in the new biopic.
Monica Schipper/Getty
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Shore, 55, also plays a fitness guru in the short film Court madman by director and screenwriter Jake Lewis, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 19.
In September 2023, Shore spoke with PEOPLE about fan reaction to the Simmons biopic after the impact it had on their lives.
“He helped so many people,” Shore said. “… He was all about positivity and helping people. And there’s so much angst and division in the world, so I think a dose of that positivity is what people need. A Richard Simmons movie could unite America!”
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education