RHONY star Racquel Chevremont sues Mickalene Thomas, accusing her of emotional and physical abuse

Racquel Chevremont files explosive lawsuit accusing artist Mickalene Thomas of emotional and physical abuse

Racquel Chevremont, the model, curator and Real Housewives of New York star, has filed a lawsuit against her former partner, acclaimed artist Mickalene Thomas, accusing her of emotional and physical abuse. The explosive legal filing, submitted in New York’s Supreme Court on 27 October, expands on earlier claims Chevremont made in August that Thomas created an abusive work environment.

According to the 31-page lawsuit, Chevremont’s accusations go far beyond workplace misconduct. She alleges that Thomas subjected her to escalating abuse, including emotional manipulation, harassment and unwanted physical advances. The filing details incidents such as Thomas allegedly entering Chevremont’s hotel room without consent during a 2021 work trip and sending her unsolicited romantic messages even after their romantic relationship had ended. Chevremont claims these actions made her feel unsafe and trapped within their professional collaboration.

The two women had been partners both personally and professionally since 2011. Together they co-founded MT Special Projects, also known as Deux Femmes Noires, a platform focused on promoting women of colour in the arts. The suit alleges that while Thomas profited significantly from their joint efforts, she withheld Chevremont’s share of the financial proceeds. One cited example involves a multimillion-dollar deal with the prominent Mugrabi family, from which Chevremont claims she was denied a promised $2 million payment.

Thomas, whose rhinestone-studded portraits of Black women have been celebrated by major museums including the Brooklyn Museum, has denied all allegations through a spokesperson. In a statement to ARTnews, her representative called the claims false and described the lawsuit as a desperate attempt to profit from Thomas’s success and reputation.

Chevremont, who appeared in several of Thomas’s celebrated paintings, alleges that her ex-partner also withheld valuable artworks belonging to her, including pieces by Kara Walker, Hank Willis Thomas and Lynette Yiadom-Boakye. The lawsuit further claims that Thomas retaliated against her following their breakup by sabotaging business deals and damaging her professional reputation.

As the art world reacts, the case has already become one of the most high-profile legal disputes in contemporary art. Both women were previously seen as a power couple representing success, love and creative partnership within the industry. Now, Chevremont is seeking a jury trial and millions in damages, while Thomas vows to fight what she calls a baseless attack on her legacy.

This unfolding battle between Racquel Chevremont and Mickalene Thomas has sent shockwaves through the art community, raising uncomfortable questions about power dynamics, abuse and accountability within the world of high-value contemporary art.