Mickalene Thomas Faces Allegations of Harassment and Nonpayment from Ex-Fiancée

Mickalene Thomas, a renowned contemporary artist, was recently sued by her former fiancée and business partner Racquel Chevremont. On August 8, Chevremont filed a lawsuit in the New York State Supreme Court, accusing Thomas of sexual harassment, nonpayment, and workplace retaliation. Chevremont, who is an art consultant, curator, and former contestant on “Real Housewives of New York,” is demanding at least $10 million in damages for what she describes as “years of exploitation, nonpayment, and unlawful conduct.”

Chevremont alleged that Thomas withheld millions in payments during their ten years of collaboration, which ended in 2022. Their personal relationship concluded in 2020, but Chevremont claims Thomas continued to pressure her to resume their romance and, upon refusal, retaliated by severing their professional ties. This terminations violated New York human rights and labor laws, according to the allegations.

Thomas, known for her large-scale paintings featuring Black women adorned with rhinestones and mixed-media elements, included a 2016 portrait of Chevremont, which sold for $1.8 million at a Christie’s auction in 2021.

The lawsuit targets both Thomas and her business entity, Mickalene Thomas LLC. Both Thomas’s studio and representing galleries, as well as Chevremont’s attorneys, have been contacted for comments. This story is still developing, and additional updates will follow.