Real Housewives of New York star Racquel Chevremont is accusing her ex-fiancée, famed artist Mickalene Thomas of harassment, financial betrayal and years of unpaid work.
The Bronx-born art curator and model is seeking a minimum of $10 million from Thomas over these explosive allegations.
In a court paper, obtained by DailyMail.com, Chevremont says she worked as Thomas’s strategist and dealmaker from 2012 to 2022, brokering multimillion-dollar sales and acting as her liaison in the art world.
In a summons and notice filed in New York State Supreme Court on August 8, the reality star declared her hope to ‘redress for years of exploitation, nonpayment and unlawful conduct.’
‘From 2012 to 2022, Ms. Chevremont, who is also Ms. Thomas’ former fiancée, contributed immeasurably to Ms. Thomas’ artistic and commercial success, acting as a strategic advisor, and liaison to galleries, collectors, and institutions,’ the filing states.
‘Despite these work-related contributions, Ms. Chevremont was paid improperly for more than a decade, both as an employee and under a written agreement effective January 1, 2021, as well as for compensation prior to 2021 and for multimillion-dollar deals she negotiated on Ms. Thomas’ behalf.’
Real Housewives of New York newbie Racquel Chevremont has slapped her ex-fiancée, famed artist Mickalene Thomas, with a $10 million lawsuit (seen in 2024)
Chevremont also claims Thomas, whose work hangs in MoMA and Jay-Z’s office, subjected her to a ‘hostile and abusive work environment as well as quid pro quo harassment.’
‘While Ms. Chevremont ended their personal relationship in 2020, Ms. Chevremont and Ms. Thomas continued to work together. During this time, Ms. Thomas repeatedly and improperly pressured Ms. Chevremont to resume their romantic relationship, and ultimately terminated Ms. Chevremont’s employment, in violation of New York State and New York City Human Rights Laws, when she made it clear that this would never happen,’ Chevremont claimed in the filing.
She also alleges Thomas promised her 20 percent commissions — then ‘illegally diverted’ the money into her own company.
DailyMail.com has reached out to Thomas’ representatives, but have not heard back.
Neither Thomas nor Chevremont’s teams have publicly commented on the matter.
Chevremont and Thomas first met in 2002, but did not begin dating until 2011.
They got engaged in 2019 on New Year’s Eve. They split just one year later.
Chevremont has since moved on with her current fiancée, Mel Corpus.
The Bronx-born art curator and model claims Thomas, whose work hangs in MoMA and even Jay-Z’s Manhattan office, built her empire on her behind-the-scenes efforts
She alleges Thomas promised her 20 percent commissions — then ‘illegally diverted’ the money into her own company; seen in 2021
‘Mel and I, we’ve been friends for over 12 years,’ Chevremont said in her first RHONY episode. ‘We were very single when we got together, but there was a bit of a scandal. There were a few people that were not all that happy.’
Alicia Keys previously called Thomas ‘a mastermind at conveying poignant messages through striking visuals.’
‘Mickalene herself is walking art,’ the singer wrote for Time magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2025. ‘She has such a distinct presence and aura that it’s impossible not to feel inspired by her. The art and the artist both are bold, fearless, and fierce.’
According to GLAAD, Chevremont ‘was discovered by photographer and model scout Steve Landis for Elite models in 1993.’
According to GLAAD, Chevremont ‘was discovered by photographer and model scout Steve Landis for Elite models in 1993’
Over the years, she has landed campaigns for Benetton, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Fila, L’Oréal and Nivea.
She’s also worked in the art world for more than two decades, and, even, joined the acquisition committees of the Studio Museum in Harlem and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum back in 2003.
Chevremont is also the founder of The Josie Club, a space dedicated to honoring queer Black women’s lives and achievements.
She previously admitted that she struggled with her queerness and publicly coming out.
‘I’m what you’d call a later in life lesbian and when I first came out I lost a lot of people,’ she said. ‘I believe that because of my age and my accomplishments I didn’t care what anyone had to say, I didn’t feel the need to prove anything to anyone.’
She added: ‘I had spent my entire adult life in the fashion and art worlds so while my personal life might have suffered my professional life didn’t really skip a beat due to my queerness. I was lucky to be a part of two industries where queerness is embraced.’
