This former art world power couple could wind up in court.
Art curator and TV personality Racquel Chevremont has filed a lawsuit for more than $14 million against her ex, celebrated contemporary artist Mickalene Thomas.
The bombshell suit — filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York — comes after Chevremont lodged similar claims in August, and paints a picture of a creative and romantic partnership gone disastrously wrong with “The Real Housewives of New York City” star claiming “uncompensated labor and use of her image,” “damages for sexual harassment, retaliation” and “discrimination.”
“This case is about exploitation and betrayal,” begins the bombshell lawsuit.
Chevremont and Thomas began dating in 2011 and started working together 2012.
But, according to court papers, their romantic relationship ended in October 2020 after what the filing describes as a physical assault without providing any details.
“Thomas subjected Ms. Chevremont to escalating abuse — emotional, and ultimately physical,” claims the suit. “After Ms. Thomas assaulted her, Ms. Chevremont ended their romantic relationship.”
Chevremont — who worked in various capacities for Thomas from modeling for artwork to negotiating contracts — continued her employment. But, her suit claims, things “became increasingly hostile when Ms. Chevremont rejected her advances,” to rekindle the relationship.
According to the suit, Thomas was caught “searching through her purse and cell phone at the studio,” and, the papers say, “When Ms. Chevremont confronted her about this, Ms. Thomas told her that she saw ‘sexy photos’ on Ms. Chevremont’s phone, which Ms. Thomas claimed to have forwarded to herself,” leaving Chevremont feeling “violated and unsafe.”
The suit also claims that Thomas “went so far as to threaten Ms. Chevremont with physical violence if she were to date other women.”
“Ms. Chevremont was terrified, especially given Ms. Thomas’ prior assault,” says the filing.
The suit also accuses Thomas of boasting that she had tapes of Chevremont from their time together.
“Ms. Thomas told Ms. Chevremont that she had had a video camera installed in her bedroom at the time she and Ms. Chevremont were in a romantic relationship and suggested that she would reveal embarrassing photos or videos if Ms. Chevremont did not respond to her questions or keep her informed about her dating life,” claims the suit.
Eventually, according to papers, Thomas “illegally fired” Chevremont and has, “since tried to blackball her in the art world.”
Chevremont is also claiming that she was not paid the correct amount for her work with Thomas, which included, “overseeing contract negotiations, liaising with galleries and collectors, managing commissions, and handling aspects of Ms. Thomas’ professional career.”
Chevremont also claims she was not given an agreed upon amount for work Thomas created from her image.
Papers allege that Thomas promised her ex “extraordinary bonuses, including up to $2 million for renegotiating a multi-million art transaction,” with famed collector Jose Mugrabi.
A spokesperson for Thomas told ARTnews, “Mickalene is a world-renowned artist who is the sole author and architect of her decades-long success. The allegations made by her ex-girlfriend are completely false and a desperate attempt to remain relevant and profit off Mickalene’s hard-earned reputation, career achievements, and legacy. We will deal with this frivolous and petty exploitation in court.”
Thomas is known for her portraits of black women using acrylic and rhinestones. Her work hangs in NYC’s Whitney Museum of American Art and the Museum of Modern Art. Her works have sold for seven figures, including one piece showing Cheveremont titled, “Racquel Reclining Wearing Purple Jumpsuit,” that went for $1.8 million at Christie’s in 2021.
Chevremont has worked as an art consultant for shows like “Empire” on Fox and HBO’s “And Just Like That.”
Page Six exclusively reported in 2022 that the couple had been split for two years.
Reps for Chevremont did not respond to request for comment.
The post Racquel Chevremont accuses ex, top artist Mickalene Thomas, of exploitation and abuse in $14 million lawsuit appeared first on Page Six.
