Artist Kehinde Wiley, Who Painted Barack Obama’s Official Portrait, Speaks Out Against Sexual Assault Allegations, Suggests ‘Reckless Smear Campaign’

Artist Kehinde Wiley, Who Painted Barack Obama’s Official Portrait, Speaks Out Against Sexual Assault Allegations, Suggests ‘Reckless Smear Campaign’

Renowned artist Kehinde Wiley, known for painting Barack Obama’s official portrait, faces fresh allegations of sexual assault and rape.

Nathaniel Lloyd Richards, a UK-based filmmaker, poet, and curator, has accused Kehinde Wiley, 47, of “inappropriate touching and groping during a date in 2019,” according to a statement shared with Hyperallergic on June 10.

Nathaniel Lloyd Richards

In response, Kehinde Wiley’s attorney, Jennifer Barrett, told Page Six,

“Mr. Wiley denies any inappropriate conduct towards Nathaniel Lloyd Richards.”

Shortly after, on Tuesday, June 11, Terrell Armistead of Westchester, NY, accused Wiley of rape, claiming in an Instagram post,

“In Winter of 2010, I was groped and raped by Kehinde Wiley — both without my consent at his apartment in New York.”

Terrell Armistead recounted his story in detail, saying that he met Wiley at a gay bar in New York and agreed to go to Wiley’s apartment after being invited. While they were talking on the couch, Terrell Armistead claims Wiley allegedly proceeded to grab his genitals aggressively.

He stated,

“This grope was unprovoked and I was quite mortified – I then politely moved his hands away indicating that I was not interested in sex. I made this clear to Wiley.”

After believing Wiley wouldn’t allegedly assault him further, Armistead claims he agreed to lie next to him in bed, but this decision led to even more shocking allegations:

“Hours later to my horror and confusion, I woke up to discover Kehinde performing forced oral penetration on me [with his lips around my penis]. I pushed him off immediately and proceeded to put the rest of my clothes.”

 

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A post shared by Terrell Armistead (@negrowumpism)

Wiley’s attorney dismissed Armistead’s claims, suggesting that Joseph Awuah-Darko, Wiley’s original accuser, orchestrated the accusation.

“Mr. Wiley does not know who this latest accuser is. Nor does he recall ever meeting him. But what is clear is that the events he is describing never took place… Sadly, this appears to be another example of a person who has been manipulated into joining the scurrilous campaign orchestrated by Mr. Awuah-Darko.”

These recent claims follow initial accusations by Ghanaian artist Joseph Awuah-Darko, who alleged in an Instagram post that Wiley assaulted him twice in 2021.

Joseph Awuah-Darko

He recounted the first alleged instance, which took place at a professional dinner, by saying:

“The first assault, I was inappropriately groped by Kehinde Wiley who proceeded to grab my buttocks with his hand before then saying something along the lines of “what is this thing?” This happened in front of another dinner guest, while I was politely ushering them both up flights of stairs to use the bathroom during said dinner. The act was categorically unwelcome and unprovoked.”

Joseph Awuah-Darko claims the second assault he allegedly endured at the hands of Wiley was much more severe.

 

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A post shared by Joseph Awuah-Darko ?? (@okuntakinte)

Shortly after Awuah-Darko shared his story, entrepreneur Derrick Ingram also came forward with allegations that he too was allegedly sexually assaulted by Wiley, detailing his experience in a similar Instagram post:

“On September 10th 2021, I was raped [unprotected] and sexually assaulted by Kehinde Wiley at his apartment in New York [34 Greene Street, Soho, Manhattan].”

Derrick Ingram

Derrick Ingram also mentioned other instances of extreme violence, saying,

“During the course of our relationship, there were moments of extreme violence which included being punched in an Uber, being slapped and along with severe emotional manipulation.”

Ingram asserted he was filing a lawsuit, stating,

“I will be filing a lawsuit in New York where the rape occurred and encourage other victims to do same regarding their abuse.”

 

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A post shared by Derrick “Dwreck” Ingram (@iamdwreck)

Kehinde Wiley responded to both accusers on Instagram.

Regarding Joseph Awuah-Darko, Wiley stated,

“Someone I had a brief, consensual relationship with is now making false, disturbing, and defamatory accusations about our time together. These claims are deeply hurtful to me, and I will pursue all legal options to bring the truth to light and clear my name.”

Wiley also denied all of Ingram’s accusations, sharing alleged texts from Ingram in which Ingram described Wiley as “amazing” and expressed a desire to see him again.

Wiley criticized the accusations as part of a “reckless smear campaign,” suggesting a conspiracy between Awuah-Darko and Ingram.

 

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A post shared by Kehinde Wiley (@kehindewiley)

Kehinde Wiley gained international fame for his vibrant, large-scale portraits that reimagine classical styles with contemporary Black subjects, exploring themes of identity, power, and representation. Now facing serious accusations, he is actively defending his reputation and plans to pursue all legal options to bring the truth to light and clear his name.

What are your thoughts on Kehinde Wiley’s response? Comment below.