CONTENT WARNING: The following article contains discussions and descriptions of alleged sexual assault.
Model Emily Ratajkowski has accused Robin Thicke of sexually assaulting her during the filming of the video clip for Thicke’s controversial single ‘Blurred Lines’.
The revelation will further come to light in Ratajkowski’s book My Body, which is due to land next month.
The Sunday Times Of London posted a few excerpts from her forthcoming book, which shed light on her accusations.
“Suddenly, out of nowhere, I felt the coolness and foreignness of a stranger’s hands cupping my bare breasts from behind. I instinctively moved away, looking back at Robin Thicke,” she wrote.
“He smiled a goofy grin and stumbled backward, his eyes concealed behind his sunglasses. My head turned to the darkness beyond the set. (The director, Diane Martel’s) voice cracked as she yelled out to me, ‘Are you okay?”
“I pushed my chin forward and shrugged, avoiding eye contact, feeling the heat of humiliation pump through my body. I didn’t react – not really, not like I should have.”
The publication has corroborated her story with the director of the clip, Diane Martel, who said she witnessed the whole thing.
“I remember the moment that he grabbed her breasts,” she said.
“One in each hand. He was standing behind her as they were both in profile. I screamed in my very aggressive Brooklyn voice, ‘What the f*** are you doing, that’s it!! The shoot is over!!’”
Martel noted that the production team were all women in the hopes of making the environment one of empowerment. The only men on the set were Thicke and Pharrell.
Ratajkowski was one of three women who appeared in the 2012 clip, semi-nude. The song, co-written with Pharrell, has been continually criticised for its perpetuation of rape culture, reduction of consent, and its outright misogyny.
If you need assistance, 1800 RESPECT – the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service — can be reached on 1800 737 732.
