Jonathan Leder, a photographer, did something unspeakable to the young, up-and-coming model a few years ago when she was just 20 years old.
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A photoshoot with malevolence
In the article, Ratajkowski recounts the day of the incident. The American model and actress was sent by her agent to the photographer's home for a shoot for Darius Magazine. When she arrived at Leder's home, she was asked to pose in lingerie, which made the model feel uncomfortable, especially since she wasn't made aware of this beforehand. To help her relax, the photographer served her some wine and then asked her to strip down:
I have always been told that it is important to have a reputation as a hard worker and to be easy to work with. My agent always tells me that you don't know who the photographers are going to shoot with afterwards.
The make-up artist walked away during the shoot, which worried the young top model:
I was angry at her for leaving me and I didn't want to admit to myself that her presence had made the difference so far. I thought I could handle it on my own.
A rude awakening
After having a few drinks throughout the photoshoot, Ratajkowski fell asleep next to the photographer.
Everything that happened afterwards is blurred in my head, except my feelings. I don't remember kissing him but I remember his fingers inside me. Harder and harder (...) it really, really hurt. I instinctively grabbed his wrist and pulled his hand out with force. I didn't say a word. He got up abruptly and left silently in the dark.
The day after this dreadful scene, Emily ended up taking a train home and never heard from the photographer again... until the day he published a book with the famous photos, without her permission. To this day, Jonathan Leder's lawyers deny all accusations against him.
