An American artist known for painting the official White House portrait of former President Barack Obama has fiercely defended himself against accusations of sexual assault made by several men, including two fellow artists and a BLM co-founder.
Over the past few weeks, Ghanaian-British artist and curator Joseph Awuah Darko and BLM co-founder Derrick “Dreck” Ingram have Kehinde Wiley There is a chance that we will attack them in 2021. British artist and film director Nathaniel Lloyd Richards Similarly, Richards also accused Wiley of inappropriate touching her during a date sometime in 2019, though it’s unclear when Richards came forward with the accusation.
“I have a glorious past. I have carried a lot of shame. But I refuse to be a victim anymore.”
Last month, Auah Darko Instagram He alleges that Wiley assaulted him on two occasions in 2021. Wiley and Auer-Darko met for the first time in June of that year, and during that first meeting, Wiley allegedly grabbed Auer-Darko’s buttocks and made provocative remarks. Auer-Darko claims that Wiley’s behavior that night was “unsolicited,” “unwelcome,” and “unprovoked.”
Auah Darko also spoke about a second attack, which he said was “much more serious and violent” but did not go into further detail. He claimed that these attacks brought him “shame” that took him months to process and accept.
“What I have lost today by speaking my truth was never mine to begin with,” his post continued. “All I can do is pray for the strength, resources and support to pursue justice and hope that others will step up to end this pattern of abuse.”
Indeed, others did come forward, and about three weeks later, Ingram followed suit, blasting Wiley on Instagram.
Ingram alleges she and Wiley were romantically involved from late July to October 2021. During that time, Ingram said Wiley subjected Ingram to significant physical and emotional abuse by punching, slapping and other “emotional manipulation.”
Ingram said Wiley also regularly pressured him to use illegal drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana — advances he always refused.
Ingram then alleged that on September 10, 2021, Wiley “raped and sexually assaulted” Ingram at Wiley’s apartment in SoHo, New York City. Ingram said that the assault occurred “unprotected.” He also said that Wiley asked him to sign a non-disclosure agreement regarding the allegations, which he refused.
“I am not an ideal representative of victims,” Ingram said in a message to attendees. “I have a colorful past. I have carried much shame. But I refuse to be a victim anymore. This part of my story is not pretty or glamorous. The veil will be lifted so everyone can see the ugliness that permeates these elite spaces.”
“We live in a world where one false post on social media can destroy someone’s life. … This is dangerous and this is wrong.”
Just 24 hours later, Wiley had a similar reaction, Instagram He defended himself against the “baseless and defamatory” accusations and shared screenshots in which he claims his innocence. He acknowledged having sexual relations with Auer-Darko and Ingram, but said such relations were “consensual” and that Auer-Darko and Ingram ” [he] He gave it to me with joy.”
As proof, he shared screenshots showing that Auah Darko continued to pursue and flirt with Wiley for over a year following an alleged “severe and violent” assault in June 2021. According to the screenshots, Auah Darko was even willing to fly from London to Nigeria just to attend Wiley’s birthday party in February 2022.
“Since we first met in 2021, he has continued to message me on the phone and on Instagram professing his love for me, my talent and my work,” Wiley wrote about Auah Darko.
In response to Ingram’s accusations, Wiley suggested Ingram had exaggerated their relationship, and included screenshots showing Ingram texting Wiley in October 2021 – more than a month after the alleged rape at Wiley’s SoHo apartment – calling him “handsome” and inviting him to meet up again.
“I miss being with you,” Ingram reportedly wrote to Wiley on Oct. 16, 2021.
Wiley’s lawyer, Jennifer Barrett, also denied that Wiley ever asked Ingram to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
Mr Wiley insisted he didn’t know why his exes had come forward to accuse him now, but suggested they might have felt abandoned.
“Does that give them the right to make ad hominem attacks? No, it doesn’t,” he said.
“We live in a world where a single false post on social media can destroy someone’s life and allow people to be tried and convicted online, regardless of the truth. This is dangerous and wrong.”
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