Terry Richardson has been lurking in the forefront of fashion for many years now, but he’s recently come into the mainstream spotlight after his sketchy collaborations with Miley Cyrus. Since Miley’s receiving a ton of attention for her antics, Terry is naturally being recognized (and called out) as the (gross) guy who’s helping her shed her formerly wholesome image. If you’re not familiar with Uncle Terry, there’s a NSFW primer story at Jezebel that will help you understand why he is so revolting. The man is a predator who uses his status in the fashion industry to get young models to do all sorts of unspeakable things.
The problem isn’t that Terry specializes in “sexy” pictures. There are tons of photogs who push the envelope in that way. Ellen von Unwerth and David LaChapelle among them. Terry’s backstage dalliances take his “sexy” images to a whole (gross) new level. He exploits models who think they’re going to make it big by getting naked for him, and he loves it. The really awful thing about it is that tons of celebrities — including Nicole Kidman, Kate Moss, Cameron Diaz, Lady Gaga, Lindsay Lohan, Chloe Sevigny, Sofia Vergara, Norman Reedus, Jared Leto, and even Lena Dunham — do support him by posing for him either at magazine photoshoots or in his creepy home studio.
The outside world is starting to realize that Terry is a dangerous man. I was surprised at how The Mail called him out last week. Now the Financial Times has placed Terry (via HuffPo) on their sh-t list too: “The reality is, until editors stop using him for covers, until Hollywood stars stop picking him as a photographer or a videographer for their shoots, he’ll stay the way [he is].” There’s also a new petition at Change.org that asks fashion labels and magazines to stop hiring Terry:
Vogue, H&M, Mango, Supreme, & all other brands: Stop using alleged sex offender Terry Richardson as your photographer
More awareness needs to be brought to light that Terry Richardson is negatively influencing media with his supposed exploit & abuse of certain models, mainstream degrading pr0nographic imagery, and inappropriate and unprofessional behavior. His contribution to society has a bad impact as he is being exposed to the masses with the impression of being well received while there are potentially unethical practices not being shown. Allegations and complaints have been publicised from the likes of Coco Rocha, Jamie Peck and Danish Supermodel Rie Rasmussen against Richardson.
WHY if we are aware of these allegations are big companies STILL using Terry Richardson as a photographer and still giving him positive press if he is an alleged sex offender? These allegations need to be looked at more closely and the appropriate justice recieved. They should not be ignored. By continuing to employ him for editorial fashion shoots, or to run advertising campaigns shot by him is to CONDONE his behaviour. Is this a replay of the Jimmy Savile case where we only take action once the offender has deceased? Action needs to be TAKEN NOW. Surely big companies don’t want to associate themselves with the accused? In many of his images, Richardson has an amateur style of photography including girls made to look underage, hurt and exploited. We need to raise awareness and encourage these models to come forward. If these allegations are proven be to true, justice needs to be brought about.
Danish supermodel Rie Rasmussen confronted Richardson in Paris, and said he abuses his position of power within the industry to sexually harass young women with impunity. “They are too afraid to say no because their agency booked them on the job and are too young to stand up for themselves,” said Rasmussen. “I told him, ‘What you do is completely degrading to women. I hope you know you only f— girls because you have a camera, lots of fashion contacts and get your pictures in Vogue.'”
One fashion insider says agencies “know full well Richardson’s predatory behavior,” but that he “is tolerated because the industry folk are just sheep. There are only a handful of photographers who have the power, a handful of editors who have the power, and a handful of clients who have the power. Everyone else just follows this small group of people.”
[From Change.org]
I have no argument about any of this letter. I did omit paragraphs that delved into too much detail about Uncle Terry’s sexual exploits, so you may want to go the source to read all of the content. What Terry gets away with in the name of “fashion” is disgusting. He deserves to be stripped of his power, and I think the magazines are too lazy and worried about their own bottom lines to take that step. What needs to happen is for celebrities to stop worshipping this guy. They don’t need him for exposure. If these celebs want to act classless, they can take selfies, for god’s sake. Will any of them be willing to stand up and say, “I don’t want to be photographed by that perv anymore?” Sadly I don’t see it happening.
Photos courtesy of Terry’s Revolting Diary
He is disgusting. And it’s not even like he’s any kind of visionary photographer. He basically just uses a nice camera to take a picture of someone looking slutty. Any Tom, Dick, or Harry that can press a button can do that.
Absolutely, I don’t know how this dick in particular made a successful career out of it. Glamour shots are higher art than his photos
The way any hack abuses Power when he comes from it: Daddy was a well respected photographer I believe for Vogue or something of that ilk.
@chloe, I just googled his dad, and I really liked the images I saw. They’re more gritty than fashion photography was at the time, I guess uncle terry just coasts off the name. Thanks for telling me I had no idea
Yeah, no – I’m not trying to be a dick, but this is my job and I’m gonna have to disagree with you there. While I find his work to be more predatory & disgusting than meaningful and artful – no, not any Tom, Dick & Harry can press a button and do what he does. It takes a lot of know how to get a consistently properly exposed image, and to also get the camera to do exactly what you want it to do. A lot of times, a photo/shoot starts out as a concept in your head – knowing how to translate that and use lighting (natural or available or both) and your gear to make it happen requires skill and knowledge. While most of his celeb photos are too flashy (using flash instead of natural light) for my taste, he does have a heavy body of work that proves his knowledge of know how. Unfortunately, he’s just a disgusting perv.
Agree with all of your other points.
Thanks for putting that right. And it doesn’t matter whether he’s the most brilliant artist the world has ever seen or a lucky hack, he has power and influence and uses it to exploit young women for his sexual gratification. When it comes to no-name models he clearly enjoys knowing they don’t want to play along but feel they have to if they want a career. That is a predator without a conscience. Do we know of one celebrity who will speak out against him? Anyone? Weak sheep.
I just read through the article at Change.org (link from Bedhead) and I feel sick. This “man” is disgusting. I found a Facebook page (Say no to Terry Richardson) I just liked it, if you feel the same do go show your support there.
Maybe we can make a difference if hundreds and thousands of ppl make a big enough fuss.
https://www.facebook.com/saynototerryrichardson
You will also notice that links to his most vulgar work (as described in linked article) have all come down. Richardson must have his lawyers working on “cleaning” up his reputation. He was proud enough to publish them but now wants to hide them. He is a PIG.
Yes, Gawd! This is good news. This is long overdue.
For more (very NSFW!) information, just type “I miss the old Terry” into Google.
I would have thought that his general ineptitude would have stopped people hiring him – if you want unflattering photos on a harsh white background go to the Passport Office!
Really wish I hadn’t just eaten lunch before doing that. Ewwwwwwwwww. I feel sick.
OMG! WTF! Woody Allen must be green with envy being 30 years too late. This man is revolting.
That Tumblr is disgusting! Omg. He is one twisted man. True sexual deviant.
D:
Whoa, I was NOT expecting that. I’m so disgusted, I feel like puking.
I knew he was disgusting, but ugh. I’m going to have to clean my brain with cute puppy pictures or something equally drastic.
I did, out of curiosity. Thankfully, I have a very strong stomach. But this guy is basically a pr0n “artist”.
That is…. I have no words.
Those pictures were disgusting. This guy is a predator pretending to be an artist.
One of the most troubling things about these disgusting pictures is they depict the same sexual situations over and over and over again…and none of them are the kind that would be fun or pleasurable for a woman. Can’t get into too much detail beyond that! This guy is kidding himself if he thinks he just loves sex. He doesn’t love sex. He loves putting women in the same two degrading positions that get him off & make them look subservient.
what a sicko.
I just went through most of that site. JFC. I’d already seen some pretty bad things, but my god he must have hundreds of thousands of photos of girls being degraded in horrible ways.
Anyone notice that he’s having intercourse (both ways) in many of the photos WITHOUT A CONDOM. The piece de resistance is the one of a girl putting her dog’s face up to his erect d*ick and the dog actually looking distressed. I feel so badly for the girls who let down their guard because they were led to believe what they were doing was art, only to go home and realise what had actually been done to them. Some are so terribly young, I’ll be there are girls who had never even given oral s*x before that day. And the photographic evidence is out there for everyone to see.
Good grief. I (thankfully) must have checked out before the dog picture.
I actually like his blog and the pics. It’s just nudity and sex. They’re all adults. I think they’re fine. A friend of mine that is a professional photographer takes a lot of the same kind of photos.
Finally !
I’ve seen his NSFW pics and they are truly heinous. Terry having sex with clearly underage girls, girls with black eyes, girls that look like drug users, girls who are drunk and half passed out, multiple partners, transvestites, anal, every kind of depravity you can imagine.
He is a monster, plain and simple, and is cashing in on his fashion photog reputation to lure young women into his sordid world. The sooner he’s shut down the better. Vile creature…
Hey Justin and Jennifer – nice friend you have.
The same Hollywood a$$kissers still love Woody Allen. Go figure.
Or Roman Polanski.
If you are pedo, you just have to become a producer for the Disney channel or something, a huge power imbalance, stage parents, kids who have to support their families and you are getting your ass covered by the higher ups because they don´t want a scandal.
Britney´s younger sister Jamie Lynn got knocked up by the producer of her teen show.
Soon-Yi was 21 and a consenting adult (still creepy though), and the abuse claims regarding Dylan were swiftly dismissed by the judge.
It’s also worth noting that, despite finding pics of her lover and her daughter together, Mia was so monumentally upset that she continued to work on the film Allen was then directing her in!
Woody is “innocent”, at least in the eyes of the law, so I don’t have a problem with actors turning out for him.
Roman Polanski, OTOH, is a convicted sex offender and all-round skeeze.
@Tapioca
Actually, she was 21 when they went ‘public’ with their relationship. Who knows when it started.
I imagine those photographs are extremely sick and disgusting; I’m sorry for your poor eyes. I’ll take your word for the content; he is beyond monstrous.
I cannot imagine ever coming into contact with someone like that and just keep smiling and pretend he’s not a horrible beast. My mind would explode. I don’t know how these “celebrities” do it.
Jaded where did you see these pics? I have seen a lot of Terry’s NSFW pics and while they are sexual and many of them do look like drug abusing prostitutes, I haven’t seen any with underage girls or black eyes.
The Glee shoot is one of the ones that really sticks out for me as it pretty much sums up the industry and how it has influenced society. The men are fully clothed and the girls are pretty much naked and licking phallic objects. (I was driving past a junior disco a few months ago, 14/15 year olds, the guys all dressed like 1D and the girls like Rhianna, bra tops and their arses hanging out in hotpants, teetering along in heels they could barely walk in).
The fact they are stars in a show that is aimed pretty much at the young teen market doubles how disgustingly inappropriate it was.
http://www.gq.com/entertainment/movies-and-tv/201011/glee-photos-rachel-quinn-finn#slide=1
@Lindy79 – Wow, I’d never seen those (not that I watch Glee anyway).
I don’t mean this to speak ill of Cory (may he rest in peace), but I was surprised at just *how* totally *not* exposed his body was in these pics, where-as the girls were completely stripped down. He got to pose playing the drums, while they straddled benches, licked lolly-pops, & hung all over him with his hands on their butts…
I know it was for a ‘men’s magazine’ shoot, but come on… Not only does the show’s story take place in HS, but they *posed them* in a HS background. Really came across inappropriate to me. I feel like I’m being a prude or something.
Yes, this exactly. Women and girls are sex objects. Men are there to shop and choose, and needn’t worry about their appearance at all. Women and girls exist to sexually serve them, and do not get a choice. Women’s desires simply do not matter; we are mere commodities.
This is where we are as a society today. And Robert Pattinson’s photoshoot did the same thing. It was not this bad when I was young. I cannot imagine how terrible it must be to be a teenage girl these days.
It’s not hard to find the pictures he and his assistants have taken of him having sex with his models. Yeah, I know there’s a model casting couch, but this guy takes it to a whole other level.
Considering how the stories are out there, and models as high profile as Coco Rocha have called him out, it’s hard to believe it’s taken this long for people to get behind that petition. What’s he got on the industry folks? Does he have a secret stash of incriminating photos or something? Why can’t they just drop him?
Because idiots like Gaga, Beyonce and those photographed above endorse him and give him the cultural value magazines crave to keep hiring him. It’s sickening and says just as much about them as it does him.
It’s funny how they think he’s making them look cool and edgy, when all he’s really doing is lighting them harshly and allowing them to make a fool of themselves in front of the camera.
I hope the petition makes a dent, but I’m afraid that after the initial brouhaha, it’s going to get swept under the rug. That’s what happened in 2010. Actually, I think he became more popular with the mainstream after that.
Because these people are sheep are are terrified of being left out of ‘the loop’ or considered to be not ‘hip’. The fashion world is a lot like the art world – like the story of the ‘Kings New Clothes’ where if you can’t see how ‘brilliant’, ‘edgy’, ‘creative’ someone is then obviously you are an idiot, dull, boring and unsophisticated – which I imagine would be highly persuasive to those already desperate to fit in.
It’s the whole Jimmy Savile thing – power and image and all that. And jeez that must be rife in places like the fashion industry.
I bet him and Lohan have a fabulous time together.
I don’t blame them. His work is not art, it’s cheap. His subjects are usually cheap as well.
Could this be the one good thing that comes out of Miley’s reign of terror? The end of Uncle Terry? (just typing that made me gag a little.) One can only hope.
He’s disgusting and I completely agree with the article. Until someone with clout stands up and refuses to use him, he’ll continue on his path of pervy.
And while I think there are some ridiculous petitions at change.org, I’ll gladly sign this one.
I don’t understand how people can be friends with this dude, what he does is not art, it’s exploitation.
It’s kind of amazing how Vogue is all hoity toity about the women it will put on the cover, but being involved with this sleazebag is A-OK.
I think he poses with every famous person he photographs to get them to tacitly vouch for him, so that he can continue his campaign of gross.
Vogue is hoity-toity about what women put on its cover look like. It fits perfectly with Terry — there is no conflict here. Women and girls are objects to be sold to the industry, period.
I just signed the petition! At last, i’ve been waiting for something like this for ages. I really believe we can bring about change if enough people get on board (and if the DM are writing about him in a negative light that’s something at least). Go sign and share, people!
People, you can sign this petition to try to get rid of Terry. Have a look at the links to see what kind of person he is, disgusting.
https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/big-brands-stop-using-alleged-sex-offender-terry-richardson-as-your-photographer#share
HEARTBREAKINGly disgusting
I do not support this man whatsoever.
I don’t agree with pressure group driven boycotts against people attacking their livelihood. If he does illegal things there’s the legal system to deal with it, either by way of criminal or civil lawsuits. If not it is just a vile form of bullying.
In Terry’s case it should be sufficient that he is not delivering good work to not get hired again. It’s amateur level junk and not even ambition amateur level.
So we’re “bullying” a sex offender? Explain to me how that works exactly.
Boycotts have a long and honourable tradition where used appropripately, but yes, a class action lawsuit would be better. Unfortunately they can also put victims through the emotional and financial wringer, and the wealthy can often buy their way out of going to trial.
It’s called bringing awareness to the mainstream who may not be aware of the other side of Terry.
Many of his subjects look like they’ve been picked off the street. Young girls, clearly underage, looking drunk and drugged, some with bruises. Really vile, misogynistic stuff, with Terry as the “main event”. As such he should NOT be working for high-end brands as he uses his fame to take advantage of girls looking for an entrée into the fashion world.
I assume there are no reports on him putting guns to these girls’ heads? California is quite notorious about record keeping when it comes to creating media with sexual overtones, anyone underage should stick out like a sore thumb. There’s also something called release forms to transfer ownership of the images to the photographer for publication, yes? An exploited young woman, any one out of dozens here who realizes that the career she was promised doesn’t materialize has cried foul to the authorities?
I’d be rather surprised if CA would be the only state that doesn’t have politically ambitious assistant DAs who’d just love to bring down a high-profile sleazeball to run on a family value ticket. What does it tell you about this case that it hasn’t happened?
As I said before, the piss-poor esthetics of his work should be reason enough not to hire him but if there’s an actual case to be brought it greatly surprises me that it hasn’t already.
@ kaboom: It greatly surprises you? May I ask why? Because the authorities ALWAYS go for the high profile people with money? Because the word of a few girls who might not want to go on record always counts more than the word of a somewhat famous photographer? And what politically ambitious DA goes for the famous dude if they’re not sure they can get a conviction? This is the real world, not Law & Order: SVU.
I agree with Kaboom. “This is not law & order SVU” – damn right it is not!! It is real life and in the real world, you deal with these sorts of things in the appropriate way – ie through the court system if a crime was committed. You have no way of knowing that the women in these pictures didn’t consent and aren’t having fun. Sure, what is depicted is not most people’s cup of tea, but that doesn’t mean the ppl in the pics feel the same way. You can’t say somebody is a sex offender and try to ruin their career based on the fact that you are a prude. On the other hand if more people came forward and said “He raped me and took pics of it” THEN we would have a case. Casually promoting the idea that somebody is a sex offender, actively trying to ruin their career without any proof, without any formal allegations being made, to me, IS bullying, simply because YOU DONT KNOW THE FACTS. YOU DONT KNOW WHAT HAS HAPPENED. Therefore you cannot say without a doubt that he IS a sex offender. That is not to say that I am pro-Terry, I’m not.
@Kaboom – Sadly, our criminal justice system is overrated, & in the ‘real world’, most sexual assault cases end up going nowhere (often due to the imbalance of power between the victim & offender). With so many celebrities & likely politicians for ‘friends’ (he even took pics of the freaking POTUS), he could toss a bit of the reported $60 Million he made this year into their campaigns, so they could very easily make sure nothing ever happens to him legally.
So many people have come forward, not only models, but booking agencies & other professionals, admitting most in the industry are entirely aware of his predatory practices, but he has ‘friends in high places’.
@Misskitty – “Sure, what is depicted is not most people’s cup of tea…”
You’re right, I don’t think most people go for ‘Tampon tea’.
“You can’t say somebody is a sex offender and try to ruin their career based on the fact that you are a prude.”
What he calls ‘art’ is positioning a model in a garbage can while she gives him a blow job, & has another on her knees in front of him, with the word ‘SLUT’ painted on her face while she gives him a blow job. He has pressured & coaxed underage models notoriously throughout his career.
Not going for that BS doesn’t make me or any of the other CB community ‘prudes’. His misogynistic exploitation of women in (or trying to be in) the fashion industry is what belongs in the garbage can.
@Kaboom — a gun has to be put to a girl’s head before it counts as exploitation?
The vast majority of rapes are not reported. Because the victim is ashamed and knows nothing will be done anyway and she will be blamed and people will say, “well no one put a gun to your head, so what are you whining about?” Then add to that the power this man has, and the shame his victims feel, and how young they were, and the fact that they know they will be blamed and disbelieved exactly as you are doing.
Because our culture does not treat the sexual victimization of girls and women as a crime unless the perpetrator jumps out of an alley. A rich white man whom they agreed could take pictures of them? There is no way the victims would be taken seriously. It has taken years upon years of this vile waste of flesh victimizing young women for there to be even the tiniest outcry — and then there are still people like you saying he didn’t put a gun to their heads.
If someone’s livelihood is built upon the sexual exploitation of often vulnerable people, I don’t see how putting a stop to it could be construed as a bad thing… yeah, a law suit is better, which is is pretty much exactly what the petition is raising awareness for.
Choosing how to spend your $ is bullying? What a load of shite
That filthy buffalo plaid flannel of his needs burned.
The Cyrus photos were REVOLTING to me and I am far from a prude but the one where she is dragging the bodysuit up her Who Ha is about as vile as you can get.
I have no respect for people who like this douche bag. The fashion industry is a vile place.
Good for the models with some clout for speaking up!
How was this guy catapulted to this status? He takes pictures of girls barely wearing clothes, if at all, in front of walls. Literally, people in front of walls. I have albums full of pictures at Christmas, at birthday parties and at Halloween of family members in front of walls. The most I’ve ever seen him do is make his people-in-front-of-walls photos black and white. That, coupled with him being repulsive-I just don’t get the appeal. He’s all around gross as a person and untalented as a photographer. What gives? Who did he know to start him on this path?
MICHAEL SHANNON WTF ARE YOU DOING?!
I know!!!!!!
I’m sure there are some celebrities who just have no idea what his deal is and think he’s just another photographer–I’m not excusing him, but Michael Shannon doesn’t strike me as someone who keeps up with fashion industry news. And I’m sure Terry has perfected sucking up and acting all innocent around big celebs he knows he can’t manipulate.
@Gine – You’re definitely right, about his knowing when to become a kiss-ass, which is pretty much always the case with his ‘celebrity friends’. The introduction to Gaga’s 2011 ‘coffee table’ book (a 10 month period of time where she allowed Terry Richardson, without ANY restrictions, to photograph her throughout her tour) is just nauseating, talking about how wonderful he is.
http://outspokennyc.com/popout/lady-gagas-foreward-on-terry-richardson-collaboration
Let’s not forget the pictures he posted of his dying mother in the hospital. The sicko even pulled the shoulder down on her hospital gown to expose a tattoo she had on her arm.
What kind of sick **** sexualizes a dying woman? He needs to be jailed and put into some serious therapy. He is definitely a sex offender.
I just saw some nude shots of him. W.T.F? DISGUSTING!!!!!
@eliza – Do NOT get me wrong, I know that if anyone is capable of something like that, it’s him. But are you sure he was sexualizing her when he exposed a tattoo?
Although I totally think taking pictures of a dying person is… just wrong, & moving her to ‘pose’ (even to show a tattoo) is just…Ugh.
The way the gown is pulled most definitely gives the picture a sexual tone in MY eyes. This fool sexualizes everything, so it is not a stretch he would do it to his own mother. Google the pictures and judge for yourself. My opinion is he was trying to convey a sexual tone in the pictures.
This post is spot on. I really don’t see what is so special about Terry Richardson photos that makes all the celebs want to be photographed by him.
Dear Lord, it’s terrible, terrible, and disgusting, even more disgusting than those working in the pr0n industry. But sadly I’m afraid it would take much more effort not only to stop Richardson from ever working again, but to actually SUE him. Look at the C of Scientology, there have been too many allegations against them, and they’re still operating freely! Hollywood is indeed a scary place!
This kind of thing only spurs the opposite, in fashion. He is getting “buzz”.
The fashion insiders and celebrities have to choose not to use him themselves. Otherwise, he takes on an outlaw type of persona, where fashion and celebs enjoy the sensational “cutting edge” or “controversy”. They thrive on that. Further, The Financial Times and The Mail are not the type of publications that have any impact, whatsoever, on entertainment industries.
If you really want it stop, the best way to do so with you dollars. Don’t spend or click where Terry shoots.
What will Jennifer Aniston now do? She is BFF with this vile and disgusting man so will she keep acting like a nice woman or show her true bitchy personality by still staying with him?
Why single out Aniston? There are tons of celebrities who are friends with this douche bag. I don’t see the outrage over them being friends with the pervert.
Because the Anniston haters have to put her down in every thread, regardless of context. It’s a compulsion.
Actually, Richardson is Jennifer’s boyfriend’s good friend. Justin and Terry have been pictured together whenever Justin is in NYC. Gotta say, those pics of Aniston and Theroux were cute, not that Heidi would agree. Very crass.
Even if somebody can get around the general grossness of Terry Richardson, you’re still left with the issue of him not really being that great of a photographer. First, he inserts himself into the pictures. I’ve met serious photographers, and one thing they usually abide by is the idea that they are merely there to capture the subject. They are not part of the picture, they do not try to insert themselves. Terry makes it pretty clear that he wants to be a celebrity too.
There’s also the issue that his images don’t seem to capture anything of any real importance. The best photographers capture people at their most open and intimate. Terry’s subjects are all posing and playing to the camera, which sort of defeats the purpose. Stnadard commercial images, not art images.
He’s a handler.
Amen Alexandria, seems like people are just now starting to wake up to how vile Hollywood really is. Let’s pray they keep waking up.
Once you know, you can’t un-know…sometimes I wish I didn’t know 😢
This. And i am also pretty sure there is a prostit… ring behing him who gave young ones to thoses who want. I mean that’s the entertainment industry.
This. More and more, I’m seeing people say they’re not going to see movies any longer because the industry is so vile.
THIS.
I also wish I didn’t know, but now that I do know, I wonder – HOW is it that they can flaunt their filth in front of everybody like that? It’s like, “Look what we do!”
He was also the reason I stopped buying and reading fashion magazines. I have no words to express my utmost disgust.
Saw some of the NSFW pics. Need eye bleach.
I can possibly understand why some young girls who feel powerless get manipulated by him. But to see some big celebrities posing with him with his “work” out there when they don’t have to? It’s all just so…gross.
Yeah, exactly. Why all celebrities are fully clothed (except Gaga and Miley) and young models are always naked?
I googled that “old Terry” tumblr and it’s actually ruined my whole day. Pass the eye bleach when you’re done with it…
I wish I hadn’t googled him. I feel sick man. He is gross. Beyoncé is all about empowering women so I wonder what she thinks about this cheap, disgusting man.
I know I’m a journalist, but it’s hard for us in the media to pay attention to things that are poorly written. Spelling mistakes and improper grammar cause us to take things much less seriously. I agree that his exploits need to be publicized and everyone should stop working with him, but I highly recommend the writer of the petition do some editing. Trust me, it’d be a lot easier for media outlets to cover if it was written professionally.
No offense to you, but I’ve seen plenty of mainstream journalism published, I’m assuming, without a copy editor; grammatical mistakes, spelling errors, “their” in place of “there”, and so on.
I agree. Former managing editor. While I appreciate the goal, poor grammar distracts from the persuasiveness of the argument. I just want to get out my red pen…
Do it Rachel!
Beyond the fact he is a predator, I’ve never understood why he is considered a good photographer, I am an amateur photographer and I could do better than his B/W shoots.
This whole behavior came up a few years ago and yet somehow he weaseled out of it. I hope this time they nail him for it.
The pic with him and beyonce is telling; she will appear with anyone and shill anything if she thinks it will keep her in the spotlight and make money. I single her out because she and hubby really think they are God’s gift to humanity.
I agree 100%. Stripper with a trained voice & dope dealer/ pimp disguised as a rapper……
People should just take all his NSFW pictures, especially the ones that have him and his dick in it along with an exploited person, and forward it to the advertisers you find in Vogue, etc..
I strongly believe his advertisers are on the know – for what we know, they might be just as bad, and are just sporting a wholesome family facade.
The only reason they might distance themselves from Terry is that he might expose them all.
many advertisers are absolutely in the same grain as he is (ie, in the business of creating incredibly demeaning and vile images of women).I seen a few lotion advertisements targetend at women which are obviously pseudo ejaculation shots. it’s disgusting and outrageous. as consumers we really need to pay more attention to the ad campaigns we are supporting.
They know and they like it. They’re all about sexually exploiting girls and women.
The only way that this guy will stop getting work is when the celebrity/fashion elite decide that he is no longer ‘modern’ and edgy and they don’t want to be associated with him.
That Paris Hilton photo shoot may have already pushed him out of the cool zone…
Only MULTIPLE rape charges will stop this guy, Jerry Sandusky level. I wouldn’t be surprised if Uncle Terry did that. And only the negative publicity that follows that would make the celebs and magazines that have ties to him dump him.
Great! Glad to hear he’s being called out for the pervy creep he is. Why stop there? It’s time Hollywood exposes the pedophiles and abusers that dominate the industry. Corey Feldman just released a book detailing what he and Corey Haim were subjected to. The article on the book has him talking about when Haim was filming “Lucas” he was lured between two trailers by someone working on the film, and sodomized. It was the beginning of years of abuse that spiraled into drug abuse that both were victims of. Feldman has spoken cryptically of the abuse before, and claims one of the worst offenders is still a Hollywood big shot raking in money hand over fist. Is it any wonder so many child stars become addicts and alcoholics? It’s sickening and heartbreaking. The worst of it is the fame and money obsessed parents that offer up their precious children as lambs for the slaughter. It’s disgusting. There is power in numbers and if all victims would stand together, they would make a difference and wouldn’t have to be afraid to name names as Feldman admits he is. I’d bet there are few child actors/singers/models that do not have their own horror stories to tell. Time to clean house if you ask me.
Dead right x1000 – the place is a cess pit.
Got that right! Spring cleaning is right around the corner. Where can we find the mostly deadly cleaning supplies?
@LaLa – *Holds (clean) toilet brush* I’d offer the toilet bowl cleaner I have, but I think we need something more… ‘industrial’. Something that requires a hazmat suit to apply.
Absolutely. The Hollywood/fashion/music industry are a haven and magnet for predators.
It will not stop until some big, and I mean HUGE names get together and call for a massive change. Steven Spielberg, I’m looking at you.
I have a kind of “six degrees of Kevin Bacon” connection with Terry Richardson, as I have a family members who work in fashion and have worked with dirty Uncle Terry before. And from the stories I have heard, the articles don’t begin to scratch the surface as to how gross this guy really is. And it’s not like the complaints haven’t been made about previous behavior–because so many people in the are extolling him as a “genius”, a lot of his shit gets swept under the rug.
@Jessie – I’m sort of afraid to ask, but care to share an example of how these disgusting tales only ‘scratch the surface‘? How the hell can SO many people (you family/friends excluded) KNOW about his behavior & just…NOT give a damn?
He is disgusting and looks like a pedophile. About time he was called out.
My week has been terrible. But this is the greatest news ever. Hope this creepzoid goes to jail!
He is like the last surviving troll from Studio 54,bah!it seems like its beyond the realm of human understanding why he gets work in the first place
I have question: how famous does someone have to be to get photographer approval? Like I’m sure Angelina Jolie can say “Hell no get that pervert out of here”. But say you’re like Selena Gomez and the magazine chooses him as the photographer … can she do anything about it or does she just have to deal with it?
Good point. I would imagine many models and celebrities don’t have the power to veto the photographer, and many of them are young and probably being told to be quiet and go along with it by their publicist.
I think there are probably also some more well known and powerful celebs who live in their own little bubble and are told he’s the big name in photography and go along with it.
Beyond that, I don’t think there’s any excuse – his disgusting behavior is getting more and more known, and I hope more and more celebrities refuse to work with him.
Unfortunately it appears so far, that the ones big enough to have photog approval approve of Richardson. I suppose he’s not stupid enough to show his dick to Beyonce… If it doesn’t happen to “them” it’s not a problem they think about.
She’s just a talking prop even though her words have no POWER..,,,
He exploits models to get them to take their clothes off?
If these are grown women, they know better and they make their choices.
If he was preying on teens or children, then yes, he is a scumbag.
It’s kind of in that gray area. Older (legal) teens, but not quite adults.
But it does seem to fall into workplace harrassment territory.
It’s sexual harassment at the very least no matter how old the women are. Unless they’re in Gaga territory, they know that Terry Richardson is far more powerful than them and could cost them their jobs. Doing what he wants them to do is not a freely made choice.
Majority of Hollywood is perverted so they don’t care what he does. Why doesn’t David LaChapelle do more photo shoots? I always enjoyed his work.
He looks like my dad which makes this even more disgusting and I think I will need therapy now.
@C. – Ugh, so sorry you have to suffer knowing about this scumbag when he looks like your dad. He looks ‘familiar’ to me, too, but I can’t think of who he reminds me of. Probably an old neighbor or something.
OMG I actually looked at the “I miss the old Terry” tumbler…
I met a low level Uncle Terry type when I was in my mid 20s, looking for a job in NYC. There was an ad in the Voice of someone looking for a photography assistant. Turns out the guy was one of those leeches making his living selling portfolios to stupid girls with no hope of ever modeling anymore, besides their own bodies, naked…
There was no real job either, in that apartement stocked with lots of hopeful, unpaid “interns”. For some reason I stayed the whole day but never returned. I got several harrassing phone calls from this guy.
A couple months later I was in the laundromat, reading the Post while waiting for clothes to dry. I started laughing over the story, “Photographer shot in the head”. He raped some guy’s girlfriend. The guy went to the photog’s apartment & made him assume the position, kneeling, head down. Shot him through the skull. “Too bad he had to go to jail for that,” I thought. “It was a public service.”
I don’t condone murders. But I hope this guy didn’t have to spend his life behind bars, got his freedom back, and continue working his life.
Unfortunately there are always photographers like this in any industry. The only way to get rid of them is to expose them for who/what they really are and warn others. If he truly is guilty of a crime I hope someone comes forward.
Oddly, I remember the first time I noticed his name as a credit for pics. It was when JA and JT first got together, and had pics (you can find them in archives here at this site, I am almost certain, without going to the trouble to look). They were actually very nice b&w pics, but even then, at that time, I remember getting a creepy kind of feeling, but I wasn’t sure why. I believe the article noted that Terry and Justin T were close buddies. Any of his other pics I have ever seen always give me a creepy feeling. And with is his up with his stupid trademark thumbs-up? Is it that he knows he is a pos and he is gloating? That’s what I figure.
Why hasn’t this loser been arrested? I’ve heard about him years ago and it amazes me that even the President has been photographed with him. This is like Hell, right?
No, Michael Shannon, no! Get away from him! He’s the only celebrity who I have respect for, and was surprised to see.
No, Michael Shannon, no! Get away from him! He’s the only celebrity who I have respect for, and was surprised to see.
I bet a lot of celebrities don’t know much about him other than he’s the it photographer right now. They live in their own little worlds.
For myself, I know if i hadn’t read the stuff about him on here i would never have known either.
I remembered reading an article about T. Richardson’s peripatetic childhood. Here’s what I came up with:
Obit of Bob Richardson, who besides drugs, homelessness and mental illness, had a 4-year relationship with Anjelica Huston. Boy, for someone who looks like a woman who has it together, Huston sure hung out with a lot of creepy pervs in the 1970s.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/12/arts/12richardson.html?_r=0
Rie Rassmussen’s actual quote is priceless. Here’s what Terry does when confronted by a strong adult woman, which explains the photo themes (http://pagesix.com/2010/03/12/model-snaps-at-fashion-fotog/):
Rasmussen said: “I told him what you do is completely degrading to women. I hope you know you only [bleep] girls because you have a camera, lots of fashion contacts and get your pictures in Vogue. Instead of arguing with me, Terry ran out of the bar. Then the next day, he called my agency and complained I called him names in front of clients in Paris. It was the most cowardly thing I have ever seen.”
Finally, Uncle Terry’s photos of Gwynnie. Care to explain this acquaintance, Goop?
http://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/news/gwyneth-paltrow-interview-0312#slide-8
I signed the petition and hope that most of the ppl here take two second out to do the same. There is really no excuse for these types of photos. I really think this guy takes away from the photography/fashion industry as a whole. So many more talented photographers out there that can bring something new and lovely to the industry instead of this creep.
Well there are a lot of REALLY BIG A list stars that have not taken pictures with him. So there are some of them with a thought process still working.
I think the people flocking to him for pictures are celebs; regardless of their status that are trying to be edgy. So they think he does it for them. I’m glad some of my favorites have not taken pictures with him..
HOPE that remains true
I’m a model and some of these comments are very sad.
1. When you shoot with Terry he asks if you are willing to do xyz so he gets ‘consent’ BUT no one would dare say no to him or they may as well just quit the industry.
2. If you say anything your agency says ‘ you know Terry is intense so you shouldn’t have said yes to go to his studio’.
3. He shoots with lots of celebrities and top models because he treats them VERY differently to how he treats newer models. He would not treat Stam the way he would treat a new model.
I feel like it’s an emperors new coths situation. All these celebrities blow smoke up his butt. But he’s shyte!
Kind of person your parents told you to stay away from when you were a kid.
The entire industry is populated by sordid types who employ these sleazebags.
Name me one child star who hasn’t been exploited by some pedo-executive in Hollywood?
People can ask away all they want, but the magazines will continue to hire him, because his work is controversial, and that sells magazines, and that’s all these editors care about.
Although much of Richardson’s work turns my stomach, I can’t get on board with these petitions. I’m ok with Celebitchy and other sites raising awareness of how extreme Terry’s style can be – not that this is any news – but I think the real issue is: WHY ARE PEOPLE STILL POSING FOR HIM? The real statement will be made when subjects start turning him down – not when/if Vogue takes a stand against him, which won’t happen, or when a bunch of randoms sign a petition on the internet. No one is forcing these young women into his studio.
what part of “young model will get fired from her agency if Terry claims she is difficult” is so hard to understand.
There is a severe power inequality here. Terry has the power. He does not treat the big celebs the same as he does the young models. The no-names get the brunt of his worst behavior.
And most celebs have their heads so far up their butts that they figure the no-names don’t matter.
So it’s up to the rest of us.
I just signed the petition! Did anyone else?