Arnelle Simpson is the oldest child and daughter of American former football running back and broadcaster, O.J Simpson. Just like her father, she is pursuing a career in the entertainment industry not as an actor though, but as a wardrobe stylist. As the oldest child, Arnelle stood by her father during his legal woes that surfaced after he was accused of killing his second wife, Nicole Brown, and her friend Ron Goldman. Out of his four children, she was the only one that testified in court.
Due to her father’s notorious run-ins with the law, the Howard University graduate and her siblings were exposed to the spotlight despite wanting to live a private and quiet life.
Arnelle Simpson’s Early Life and Background
Arnelle Simpson was born on December 4, 1968, in Los Angeles to O.J. Simpson and his first wife, Marguerite Whitley. Apparently, Arnelle was born the day her father won the Heisman Trophy. Her parents married in 1967 at the time Simpson was only 19. She had two biological siblings Jason and Aaren but Aaren died in 1979 after she drowned in the family’s swimming pool.
Unfortunately, the seemingly-loving family shattered after O.J. Simpson and Marguerite divorced in 1979. Following the divorce, O.J. went on to marry his mistress Nicole Brown, whom he started dating in 1977 while she was working as a waitress at a nightclub.
Arnelle has two other siblings; Sydney Brooke and Justin Ryan, from her father’s second marriage.
As regards her educational pursuits, Arnelle went to the prestigious Crossroads School in Santa Monica and then proceeded to the University of Colorado. She also graduated from Howard University in 1992 with a degree in child psychology.
Arnelle Simpson stood by her father during his legal woes
Arnelle’s father’s second marriage lasted only for seven years and in 1989, he pleaded no contest to spousal abuse. barely two years after the marriage ended, O.J. Simpson’s ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend, Ron Goldman were found stabbed to death at Nicole’s condo in Brentwood.
Her father became a person of interest in the two murders and after the police allegedly got evidence against him, the court issued a warrant for his arrest. After agreeing with his attorneys to turn himself in, O.J. Simpson ended up in a low-speed pursuit with the police. The incident was broadcast live with over 95 million audience/viewers.
The pursuit and trial were dubbed one of the most widely publicized events in American history. During the trial, Arnelle supported her father and even appeared on the witness board testifying for him. Throughout that period, she remained a constant and consistent pillar of support for him.
At the end of the trial, the jury did not find him guilty of the two murders and he was acquitted on both counts.
In addition to standing with her father during his trial, Arnelle Simpson has also been credited to have inspired her father’s book, If I Did It: A Confession of the Killer. The book was published before O.J.’s second stint with the law.
Arnelle was again at her father’s 2008 trial for robbery and in 2013 again, she was on the stand when her father sought a retrial. During O’J’s parole hearing in 2017, she was also there for him. Apparently, she was the only one among her siblings that testified.
Despite how messy the situation was, Arnelle Simpson also tried to look out for her younger step-siblings Sydney and Justin. As the eldest of the Simpson brood, Arnelle and the other Simpson children would spend time together at Magic Mountain or the beach with one of the family’s friends A.C. Cowlings.
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She is a wardrobe stylist
After graduating from the university, Simpson wanted to pursue a career as a wardrobe stylist. It was while she was trying to set a path for herself that she had to stand by her father also. Hence during the trial, Arnelle occasionally worked as a stylist to be able to sustain herself and her younger ones.
One of her notable works includes styling Nona Gaye for the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards and rapper Hash. She has also produced a few fashion shows but has not had any tangible career. Despite being a stylist, it was hard for Arnelle to hold down a job so she became the caretaker for her father’s estate after his second arrest.
While trying to salvage what was left of her father’s estate, Arnelle was accused of being a shopaholic. There were speculations that she did not know how to manage her father’s finances. O.J. was still receiving a $25,000-a-month NFL pension even after his incarceration.
Besides being called a shopaholic, it was also alleged that the stylist had an alcohol problem that contributed to her exuberant spending habits.
As for the other O.J. Simpson children, they all seem to be living their lives far from their father’s past. Arnelle’s brother, Jason is reportedly a sous chef. Sydney on the other hand is a very private person but was in the news in 2017 when her boyfriend, Robert Blackmon was running for office in Florida.
Arnelle Simpson’s Relationship Life
While sticking with her father, Arnelle’s personal life suffered. However, there was a time it was rumored that she and basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal used to be an item in 1995 but in 1996, she was again linked with Anthony Treach Crisis, an American rapper.
Where is Arnelle Simpson now?
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Following the series of events with her father, the 56-year-old revealed she went on to start a new life in a new place while searching for a job.
Although it has not been confirmed if she is now married, Arnelle Simpson has remained close to her mother. She recently shared a post on Instagram in which she stated she was on a movie date with her mother.
The eldest of the Simpson brood has credited her mother for raising her and her brother well.
