Is Terry Richardson A Creep? Photographer Denies Pedophile, Sexual Harassment Accusations

Top photographer Terry Richardson has been accused numerous times of sexual harassment, but during an interview with New York magazine the famous shutterbug defended himself and his controversial career.

"I don't have any regrets about the work at all," he told the publication after he was asked if he had coerced models.

"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."

Richardson, 48, has worked with some of the biggest names in the game, including Beyoncé, Rihanna and Miley Cyrus. He even photographed President Barack Obama. After the success of Cyrus’ hit “Wrecking Ball” in September, a video he directed, allegations of sexual abuse began to emerge.

In November 2013 the New York Post wrote an article about Richardson titled “Exposing Terry Richardson, fashion’s favorite ‘pervert.’” The story details numerous accounts from models who claimed to have been taken advantage of by Richardson. He, a prominent photographer with a long list of fashion contacts, and them, young eager models willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead and then regretting it.

But Richardson defended himself and told New York that he was never alone with any of the girls. "It was never just me and a girl ever,” he said.

“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,” Richardson explained. “People collaborating and exploring sexuality and taking pictures."

He also directly addressed some of the harshest accusations from model Emma Appleton, who said the photographer offered her a magazine spread, but only if she would have sex with him.

Appleton took a screengrab of the private message and then posted it to her Instagram account: "If I can f--k you I will book you in ny for a shoot for vogue."

But Richardson said the Instagram account was fake and he never wrote that message to the model. "So corny. Ridiculous. Who talks like that? When people call me a pedophile and f--king bulls--t, that's a horrible thing to say about someone," he said.

The accusations have led Richardson to be dropped by H&M and Equinox, but longtime friend Jared Leto has stood by the photographer’s side, E! News added.

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