Richard Simmons rep slams podcast, says star wants to 'live a more private life'
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Richard Simmons' publicist is speaking out in defense of the reclusive weight-loss guru amid the launch of a popular podcast that seeks to find out why Simmons has been missing from the public eye.
"Missing Richard Simmons" is hosted by Dan Taberski, a filmmaker who describes himself as a friend of Simmons. On a recent episode, Simmons' former masseuse and friend Mauro Oliveira said Simmons is being controlled by his housekeeper.
The podcast quickly climbed to No. 1 on the iTunes charts.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Simmons publicist Tom Estey denied Oliveira's claims in an interview with People magazine.
Estey said the claims in the podcast about Simmons' housekeeper are a "complete load of crap."
The rep told People that Simmons has made a choice "to live a more private life." He says when Simmons "decides that he wants to come back, that's when he'll come back."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Estey says he's not cooperating with Taberski's podcast.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.