Aoki Lee Simmons stops modeling on Kimora comparisons

It’s tough out here, even for a second generation model!

Aoki Lee Simmons announced it’s a wrap for her modeling career after constantly hearing she’s “not pretty enough” amid comparisons to her iconic mother, Kimora Lee Simmons.

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Like many other 22-year-olds, Aoki is having a blast! After overwhelming rejection and cold-blooded criticism, it’s getting out of the game. Despite years of elite experience and growing up in a fashion empire, she doesn’t seem to have much movement. TMZ reports that Aoki talked about the professional pivot in a recent video posted online.

The Baby Phat heiress is preparing her exit strategy while still having a few more bookings pending. The industry was already daunting, but how can he compete with his own mother?

“I think I’ll probably be done with modeling soon,” she declared. “It feels like a huge comparison all the time. Like, I get it. My mom will always be a much better role model than me. Sometimes it’s annoying to have that comparison.”

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This isn’t the first time Aoki was ready to play. As BOSSIP previously reported, she announced a hiatus from modeling this summer due to an experience that was “dark AF.”

She swore off “any kind of fashion week unless I’m mentally prepared for it and I feel loved and supported. The last one ruined my mental health.” Aoki clarified that he could handle basic rejection because “that’s life,” but he took the “genuine cruelty” personally.

What will she do instead? Don’t hold your breath for her to become a full-time influencer or reality TV star, but like many celebrity seeds. The Harvard student decided to put her Ivy League degree to work. The political science major has beauty and brains. She graduated last year at age 20, making her one of the youngest black women to graduate from Harvard.

“I think I’ll end up working in government again, which is my title,” he continued.

It says a lot about how hard things are that Aoki could look at this political landscape and still decide it’s easier than the modeling industry. And the toll it takes on self-esteem.

“It’s hard to go somewhere and be told over and over and over again, ‘No, you’re not pretty enough, you’re not pretty enough, you’re not pretty enough,'” she continued, her voice breaking.

“It’s not a fun time,” he said. “I’ve worked really hard, but it’s a tough industry. Like there are a lot of beautiful girls who are great models who don’t have jobs.”

If Aoki isn’t pretty enough, who is?

The BCBG villain referenced his mother’s advice about leaving before revealing just how much thought he put into it. The next steps include “doing the foreign service test so I can go back to international relations, which is what my degree is in.” Until then, she’s determined to “finish strong” and make mom proud.

Kimora previously revealed initial concerns about her baby girl following in her high-fashion footsteps. After all, the OG has endured harsh criticism since it was only about 10 years old. Still, she taught Aoki that rejection is a part of life, whether she was modeling or not.

Even if she gets dragged into it, Aoki keeps it real about what’s on her mind. Hopefully, he can put it to rest with a run away from the catwalk.