Emily Ratajkowski: who is the Blurred Lines model who alleged Robin Thicke groped her on music video set?

‘It’s shocking to realise how early young boys gain a sense of entitlement – to girls’ bodies and to the world in general’

Model and actress Emily Ratajkowski has alleged that singer Robin Thicke groped her while on the set of his controversial 2013 hit, ‘Blurred Lines’.

The London-born actress – who has starred in films including Gone Girl and I Feel Pretty – found fame when she appeared in the video, half naked alongside two other models, and Thicke, Pharrell Williams and rapper TI, who were all fully clothed.

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She told The Times she “felt the coolness and foreignness of a stranger’s hands cupping my bare breasts” while shooting the video, which was produced by an otherwise all-female team.

But who is Ratajkowski?

Here is everything you need to know about her.

Who is Emily Ratajkowski?

Born Emily O'Hara Ratajkowski in Westminster in 1991, Ratajkowski - who is of Polish, English, Irish, and German descent - tried her hand at playing football, acting and ballet before modelling.

Raised in San Diego, she first appeared on the cover of the March 2012 issue of erotic magazine treats!, an appearance which led to her casting in the video for both ‘Blurred Lines’ and Maroon 5's ‘Love Somebody’.

Her feature film debut was as the mistress of Ben Affleck's character in the 2014 film Gone Girl, and Ratajkowski made her professional runway modelling debut for Marc Jacobs at New York Fashion Week in 2015.

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In March 2021, Ratajkowski welcomed her first child with husband Sebastian Bear-McClard.

The model and actress announced the news to her 27.1 million Instagram followers with a photo of her breastfeeding the newborn.

The then 29-year-old wrote: “Sylvester Apollo Bear has joined us earth side. Sly arrived 3/8/21 on the most surreal, beautiful, and love-filled morning of my life.”

Ratajkowski has previously said they would be raising their child in a gender-neutral household, outlining her fears over having either a son or a daughter.

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She said Bear-McClard, who she married in 2018, told her: “I do worry a girl will have a lot to live up to as your daughter.”

And of having a son, Ratajkowski said: “I’ve known far too many white men who move through the world unaware of their privilege, and I’ve been traumatised by many of my experiences with them.

“And boys too; it’s shocking to realise how early young boys gain a sense of entitlement – to girls’ bodies and to the world in general. I’m not scared of raising a ‘bad guy,’ as many of the men I’ve known who abuse their power do so unintentionally.”

What has she alleged?

Ratajkowski makes the allegations in her forthcoming book, ‘My Body’.

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“Suddenly, out of nowhere, I felt the coolness and foreignness of a stranger’s hands cupping my bare breasts from behind,” she writes.

“I instinctively moved away, looking back at Robin Thicke. He smiled a goofy grin and stumbled backward, his eyes concealed behind his sunglasses. My head turned to the darkness beyond the set.

“I pushed my chin forward and shrugged, avoiding eye contact, feeling the heat of humiliation pump through my body,” she said. “I didn’t react – not really, not like I should have.”

The video’s director, Diane Martel told The Times she witnessed the incident and “screamed” at Thicke, questioning his behaviour.

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“I remember the moment that he grabbed her breasts,” she said. “He was standing behind her as they were both in profile.”

Martel said that Thicke “sheepishly apologised” for his behaviour and praised Ratajkowski’s professionalism, as she continued the shoot.

What has Thicke said about the track?

It’s far from the first time Thicke and his ‘Blurred Lines’ track have faced controversy.

The track, which also features TI and Pharrell Williams, attracted criticism from some over its misogynistic lyrics and raunchy music video.

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The lyrics, which involved Thicke repeatedly singing, “I know you want it”, were accused of glorifying rape culture, leading to a ban in some nightclubs and on many university campuses.

In February 2021, Thicke addressed the controversy over his 2013 hit, saying people should take it with a “grain of salt”.

Asked about the controversy, the Los Angeles-born singer said: “Well, really, I never saw it that way when I sang it or performed it. Yeah, so you just kind of take it with a grain of salt.”

Both Ratajkowski and Martel claim Thicke was drunk at the time of the alleged incident.

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