Kimora Lee is looking back on the early days of her modeling career — and revealing that Tyra Banks once tried to keep her from getting involved with Russell Simmons.

In Lifetime’s new documentary Kimora Lee: On Her Own, the former supermodel and Baby Phat founder recalls how Banks, who had become a friend at the time, attempted to intervene as Simmons pursued her.

Lee, now 51, was just 16 when she first met Simmons in the mid-1990s. She had recently made a name for herself in Paris as the face of Chanel and was beginning to establish herself in New York.

‘Who Is the Weird Guy?’

Lee remembers Simmons regularly appearing at the front of fashion shows, enthusiastically cheering for her.

“I definitely was like, ‘Who is the weird guy at the end of the runway?’” she recalls in the documentary.

Simmons would later come backstage, which Lee found unusual given that models were changing clothes. She also notes that Simmons was 18 years older than her.

As Simmons continued pursuing her, Lee says he began sending large flower arrangements. That was when Banks decided to intervene.

“I remember Tyra kept me in her apartment through the weekend trying to avoid me going home and checking my voicemail,” Lee says.

At the time, Lee interpreted Banks’ actions differently.

“I felt a little bit like she was hating for sure, just because she was getting in my way and getting on my nerves,” she tells PEOPLE.

Looking back, however, Lee now believes Banks was trying to protect her.

“She was trying to protect me,” Lee says.

‘We Think Everything Is Going to Be Different’

Lee recalls spending that weekend at Banks’ apartment. Because cellphones were not part of everyday life yet, Lee couldn’t check her messages until she returned home — although Simmons did eventually call.

Lee admits that, at the time, she questioned why Banks was so concerned.

“Even if the guy did the same thing to her like, oh well, what does she know?” she remembers thinking.

She now sees the situation differently.

“We think everything is going to be different. My time is going to be different. Or whatever crazy thing we think,” Lee says.

Lee ultimately married Simmons in 1998, with Banks serving as one of her bridesmaids. Lee and Simmons went on to have two daughters, Ming and Aoki, with Aoki becoming Banks’ goddaughter.

Lee and Banks, however, have not spoken in years, according to Lee.

Looking Back on Her Marriage to Simmons

Lee’s relationship with Simmons became increasingly complicated over the years. She has previously described him as verbally abusive and has said she did not recognize some of the behavior as abusive at the time.

“I didn’t even realize it was abusive until I started putting the pieces together,” Lee tells PEOPLE, referring to what she describes as financial and emotional abuse.

Lee and Simmons separated in 2006 and finalized their divorce in 2009.

Simmons has faced multiple sexual assault allegations from women in his past. He has repeatedly denied the allegations, previously telling PEOPLE that his relationships were consensual.

A representative for Simmons did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment regarding Lee’s claims.

Kimora Lee Is Telling Her Story on Her Own Terms

Lee’s new documentary explores her life and career, from her early modeling days to building the Baby Phat brand and navigating difficult relationships.

The former model says she is no longer concerned about whether the documentary will reignite tensions with her ex-husband.

“I don’t give a damn about him,” Lee says, adding that she considers their relationship finished.

The documentary, Kimora Lee: On Her Own, premiered Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. ET on Lifetime, offering Lee an opportunity to revisit pivotal moments from her past and reflect on the decisions and relationships that shaped her life.

Source: Compiled from various sources.