Brooklyn-Based Photographer Accuses Aziz Ansari of Sexual Assault

A 23-year-old Brooklyn photographer has come forward with sexual assault allegations against actor/comedian Aziz Ansari.

The woman, who is referred to only as “Grace” for the sake of anonymity, shared her story with online publication Babe, detailing the alleged assault that took place nearly four months ago in New York City. Grace explains she met Ansari at an afterparty for the 2017 Emmy Awards. She said the two spoke about cameras, “flirted a little,” and took a few photos together before Ansari asked for her number. Grace obliged.

After a week of “flirtatious” text exchanges, Grace agreed to go on a date with the actor on Sept. 25. Though she admits she was initially “excited” for the date, the night ended with her crying in an Uber as she made her way home.

The day after their date, Ansari reached out to Grace via text, writing: “It was fun meeting you last night.” Grace replied: “I just want to take this moment to make you aware of [your] behavior and how uneasy it made me.” Ansari apologized, insisting he “misread things.”

Babe viewed the text exchange, and confirmed the number Grace was texting matched Ansari's details on a public register. You can read the conversation below.

Grace said their dinner date was short, as Ansari was eager to leave. The two then walked to Ansari’s apartment. Once inside, Ansari began making sexual advances.

She went on to describe how Ansari continued to put his fingers in a V-shape down her throat and then would insert them into her vagina. Grace also said he repeatedly forced her hand onto his penis and suggested the two have sex, despite the fact that she had expressed her discomfort in verbal and non-verbal ways.

Grace then went to the bathroom and attempted to collect herself. When she returned, Ansari asked if everything was OK. Grace told him, “I don’t want to feel forced because then I’ll hate you, and I’d rather not hate you.”

She claimed Ansari then apologized and said, “it’s only fun if we’re both having fun.” Grace assumed that was the end of it and agreed to “chill” with him on the couch; however, immediately after she joined him, Ansari sat back and motioned for her to give him oral sex.

Grace said Ansari backed off, and suggested they “chill” again, “but this time with our clothes on?”

But he didn’t stop. Grace said he continued to kiss her, force his fingers down her throat again, and attempted to underdo her pants. She eventually had enough and decided to get up from the couch and told Ansari she was going to call for a car. The actor arranged for an Uber to pick her up. She then left his apartment, but not before he gave her one last “aggressive kiss.”

“I cried the whole ride home. At that point I felt violated. That last hour was so out of my hand.”

She said she was shocked by Ansari’s behavior, as he has had a reputation for being a “woke” guy who respects women. Ansari was one of the many men who has voiced their support of the #TimesUp movement, which aims to eliminate sexual misconduct.

Grace said she never saw Ansari again, that is until she saw him win a Best Actor award at the 2018 Golden Globes. It was at that time that all of her painful memories flooded back.

“It was actually painful to watch him win and accept an award,” she explained. “And absolutely cringeworthy that he was wearing the Time’s Up pin. I think that started a new fire, and it kind of made it more real [...] I believe that I was taken advantage of by Aziz. I was not listened to and ignored. It was by far the worst experience with a man I’ve ever had.”

Ansari’s team has not yet responded to the allegations. You can read Grace’s full account here.