This is an interesting turn!
After a plethora of girls have come forward accusing Terry Richardson of using his influence in the fashion industry to coerce them into demeaning sexual acts, New York Magazine has published an in-depth article about all things Terry.
They go into his childhood, his family history, and explain how his “pervy” photos that were once coveted in the fashion and art scenes have since turned against him.
While it seems like the article is attempting to explain away all the accusations that have surfaced against “Uncle Terry”, some of the insights that come to light make Richardson seem like more of a sexual predator than ever.
For instance, Terry blames the internet for his bad rep, saying:
“It’s insane, the internet. Totally craziness. Like a little cancer. People can just do whatever they want, say whatever they want, be totally anonymous. It’s totally out of control.”
Hmm…
We’re not sure comparing the internet to a life-threatening disease is the best call, Terr!
Furthermore, even though the celebrity photographer has allegedly left multiple models traumatized by his nonconsensual sexual advances, Richardson doesn’t regret any of it.
He explained:
“I don’t have any regrets about the work at all, 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.”
So basically, he avoids feeling guilty himself by blaming the models for having feelings that are different from his???
Yikes!
Check out more HIGHlights from the article (below):
Terry Richardson on the rumor that he uses his power in the fashion industry to seduce girls:
“ ‘I’ll put you in Vogue,’ So corny. Ridiculous. Who talks like that? When people call me a pedophile and fucking bullshit, that’s a horrible thing to say about someone.”
Jared Leto on his respect for Terry:
“You’d find a line down the block to talk about how generous and warm and gracious he is.”
Dian Hanson on Terry Richardson getting naked with models during photo shoots:
“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.”
Terry on how his photo shoots worked:
“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. 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.”
Joan Juliet Buck, writer and former editor of French Vogue, on the dynamic between models and photographers:
“When a beautiful young girl is standing on the paper, and the photographer is looking at her—that thing of being told you’re the most beautiful works everyone into a state of desire, where the girl is being appreciated and she feels loved. There’s a very fine line between abuse of that innocence and validation of their beauty.”
A prominent photography agent on the potential for abuse:
“Kate Moss wasn’t asked to grab a hard dick. Miley Cyrus wasn’t asked to grab a hard dick. H&M models weren’t asked to grab a hard dick. But these other girls, the 19-year-old girl from Whereverville, should be the one to say, ‘I don’t think this is a good idea’? These girls are told by agents how important he is, and then they show up and it’s a bait and switch. This guy and his friends are literally like, ‘Grab my boner.’ Is this girl going to say no? And go back to the village? That’s not a real choice. It’s a false choice.”
Terry Richardson on his own work:
“So much of this stuff, it’s great, it’s emotional, to get in and work with someone, let things happen organically, just work off feelings in the moment, powerful, I love doing portraits. It’s hard to explain. Just this kind of beautiful interaction and connection you get.”
So, Perezcious readers, what’s the verdict??
Is Terry Richardson simply a photographer trying to do his job, or a sexual predator allowed to run amock thanks to his A-list connections in the industry???
Sound off in the comments (below), and read the full article about Mr. Richardson HERE.
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