Silke Jasso
There are several rumors going around about Richard Simmons, and now, his rep is ready to address them.
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Since Simmons took a step out of the spotlight, rumors he’s transitioning into a woman and that he’s very overweight have been circulating as the true reasons, but according to Michael Catalano, none of that is true.
“I said to him the other day, ‘There are people that think you are a very overweight, depressed woman.’ And he laughed. He just laughed,” Catalano told PEOPLE.
Catalano maintains that other than a brief dehydration scare last year, Simmons is “in excellent health, as far as I know.”
This isn’t the first time it was speculated that Simmons is transitioning into a woman. Last year, he addressed the rumors himself in a post on Facebook.
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“Some tabloids have recently falsely reported that I am transitioning. In response, I feel compelled to set the record straight and refute these lies,” Simmons wrote at the time. “Although I am not transitioning, I have and always will be supportive of those who are going through their journey.”
“That was absolutely untrue, hurtful and very, very damaging to Richard personally,” Catalano said. “He’s very aware of what’s happening, you know, but it’s tough.”
According to his rep, Simmons has maintained his figure and simply wanted to take time for himself out of the spotlight.
“It was always about everybody else first, and I think this is a little bit reflection time,” he said. “It doesn’t mean he’s done, but for now, he’s enjoying the time away from the public.”
