Fashion photographer Terry Richardson defended himself against claims that suggested he took advantage of models and offered them jobs in return for sexual favors.
Lately fashion photographer Terry Richardson has found himself in the middle of several sexual allegations that have not only affected his reputation but also caused major fashion brands to cut ties with him. In a recent interview with New York Magazine, the 48-year-old defended himself against all those allegations.
"I don't have any regrets about the work at all, but obviously I don't ever want someone to feel like that," Richardson told the magazine. "It was never my intention. But also, people do things, and then they have regrets, and that's also nothing to do with me. Then don't do pictures like that again...I'm okay with myself about everything, and that to me is the most important thing."
He also said that he was never alone with any of the models while on any assignment. Hence, there was absolutely no scope of him taking advantage of them sexually.
"It was never just me and a girl ever. It was always assistants, or other people around, or girls brought friends over to hang out," he said. "It was very daytime, no drugs, no alcohol. There was energy, it was fun, it was exciting, making these strong images, and that's what it was. People collaborating and exploring sexuality and taking pictures."
Though there have been whispers about Richardson's exploitations in the past, his activities were brought to the limelight recently by model Emma Appleton. In April, the model took to her Twitter account to post a picture that was reportedly a screenshot of her conversation with Richardson through Facebook messenger.
"If I can f--k you I will book you in (New York) for a shoot for Vogue," the message read.
That wasn't the first time Richardson has been a victim (or not) of sexual allegations. Earlier in March, former model Charlotte Waters shared a Reddit Post where she talked about her harrowing experience with Richardson. The posting was anonymous until Waters came forward. In the posting, she described an interaction with Richardson that began as a typical fashion shoot, but allegedly quickly escalated into unwanted sexual advances and acts, which included Richardson asking her to perform oral sex on him.
In 2010 model Jamie Peck detailed an encounter with the photographer in which he apparently stripped naked and asked her to perform a sex act. Just a few days prior to this, supermodel Rie Rasmussen slammed the fashion photographer in front of the Paris Fashion Week crowd calling his work "completely degrading to women," Page Six reports.
In the recent interview, Richardson also denied having an intimate rendezvous with Lindsay Lohan.
"Somehow she said we spent a romantic night making love at the Chateau Marmont," he said, referring to the actress' alleged sex list. "Which never happened. Then, on the internet, people are like, 'He did this and that.' But it's totally untrue."
