A brief guide to the ways Richardson defends himself against sexual misconduct allegations in this week’s New York magazine cover story . “[People] do things, and then they have regrets, and that’s also nothing to do with me.”
Richardson photographed by Cass Bird.
New York
Fashion photographer Terry Richardson characterized the internet as a "little cancer," "totally out of control," in a New York magazine profile published Sunday night, responding to allegations — many brought forward over the last four years on blogs and social media — that he has coerced models into performing sexual acts on him during photo shoots.
The story, anticipated last week by Jezebel, chronicles Richardson's "preposterously chaotic and unsupervised" childhood, history of drug abuse, and years of success in celebrity and fashion photography. (Though some magazines and companies have recently distanced themselves from Richardson, many of his professional relationships are thriving.) Written by contributing editor Benjamin Wallace, the piece doesn't include new allegations.
"It was never just me and a girl ever," Richardson told me at his
studio. "It was always assistants, or other people around, or girls brought friends over to hang out. It was very daytime, no drugs, no alcohol. It was a happening, 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."
... "when I was taking those pictures," he says, "I was very, like, 'Cool, sounds great, let's do it, great, okay, sure, great, cool, if not, no problem, never do anything you don't want to do, of course, I totally respect that.'" He makes the point that agents and bookers shouldn't encourage their clients to take on assignments that will make them uncomfortable.
"I don't have any regrets about the work at all," he tells me, "but obviously I don't ever want someone to feel like that. 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."
Via nymag.com
From Richardson's friend and editor Dian Hanson:
"Doing that nude work and taking his own clothes off is how he got over his own shyness ... And he's got a big dick. And once the world notices that, it's kind of encouraging to continue taking your clothes off."
Via nymag.com
