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Tuesday, April 23, 2024 | Back issues
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‘I Don’t Need a Job That Bad’

MANHATTAN (CN) - An aspiring model claims that Nole Marin, a stylist who has appeared as a judge on "America's Next Top Model," promised to make him an "underwear king" and secure him lucrative advertising work - but pulled the plug on the deals when the model rejected Marin's sexual advances.

In a complaint in New York County Court, Nicholas "Alex" Hammam-Howe says he was 22 years old when he met Marin in 2007.

Marin also has appeared as a coach on MTV's "Made," and worked as a stylist for Hugh Jackman and Ricky Martin, according to the complaint.

"Marin informed plaintiff he would make a terrific body/swimsuit/underwear model," the complaint states. "Plaintiff, who had never considered a modeling career, was flattered, but only decided to follow up with defendant Nole Marin after he was persuaded that his modeling career could be highly lucrative."

Hammam-Howe says he went to Marin's apartment on East 66th Street to be photographed, and agreed to pose in his underwear.

"During the course of this session, defendant Nole Marin repeatedly made flattering remarks to plaintiff Nicholas 'Alex' Hammam-Howe concerning his natural talent as a model, his poise before the camera and his extraordinary physique," according to the complaint. "Defendant Nole Marin also commented admiringly about the size of plaintiff's penis, remarking: 'It's huge.'"

During the shoot, Marin touched Hammam-Howe's body to "enhance his pose for the photograph" and "fondled plaintiff's penis with his fingertips while pretending to adjust him in his underwear," according to the complaint.

Hammam-Howe says he repeatedly tried to fend Marin off by saying, "I can do it myself."

"Defendant Nole Marin thereupon reached inside plaintiff Nicholas 'Alex' Hammam-Howe's underwear and grabbed his penis, announcing, 'I just want to suck it!' Plaintiff was shocked and repulsed, and pushed defendant Nole Marin away, shouting: 'That is not what I want to do!' Plaintiff further informed defendant Nole Marin: 'If you think I'm going to do sexual favors just to get a job, I don't need a job that bad.'

"Marin responded nonchalantly: 'It's a very sexual industry. This industry is all about who you know and what they'll do for you. That's just how it is.' Plaintiff put on his clothes and left."

Hammam-Howe says he did not hear from Marin again for nearly 3 years.

In March 2010, Marin, who had become creative director of Runway Magazine, invited Hammam-Howe via text message to be photographed for "a lucrative modeling campaign that was about to be launched by Armani."

Runway Beauty publishes the fashion and entertainment magazine, which has a worldwide circulation of 250,000, according to the complaint.

Marin promised to make Hammam-Howe an "underwear king" and get him modeling jobs in Runway, Hammam-Howe claims. Marin assured Hammam-Howe that the Armani campaign was legitimate and would earn the plaintiff between $85,000 and $120,000, according to the complaint.

Hammam-Howe says he went to Marin's apartment for the shoot, expecting to be photographed by a crew from Armani.

"Instead, much to plaintiff's chagrin, he discovered defendant Nole Marin was alone," the complaint states.

Hammam-Howe says Marin told him that he would take the photographs and personally pitch them to Armani, adding that he had discovered and represented supermodel Sean O'Pry, "the most successful male model in the world."

The photo shoot occurred without incident, and Marin called a few days later to set up a second meeting and said Armani wanted to see more.

"During the course of this session on or about March 9, 2010, defendant Nole Marin made lewd and lascivious remarks concerning plaintiff Nicholas 'Alex' Hammam-Howe's penis, including: 'You're huge!' and 'You must be 10 inches in radius,'" according to the complaint. "Plaintiff was embarrassed."

Hammam-Howe says Marin told him that to be an underwear model, "they want to see your head," and Marin "then used this as an excuse to reach inside plaintiff's underwear and grab plaintiff's penis."

Marin told Hammam-Howe that he could be a superstar and that he could get him appearances on reality TV shows, according to the complaint.

Hammam-Howe claims Marin then kneeled down, brushed his head against Hammam-Howe's lower abdomen and pulled out Hammam-Howe's penis.

Hammam-Howe says he pushed Marin away, threw on his clothes and left as Marin "whined beseechingly: 'I just want to blow you!'

"Before plaintiff's exiting, defendant Nole Marin shouted out: 'I could suck you better than any girl could!' Plaintiff was repulsed."

Marin sent another text message, saying that Hammam-Howe was not ready for Armani because he did "not pass the Test," according to the complaint.

Hammam-Howe says that in another text message, Marin wrote that he could have given Hammam-Howe money and fame, but since Hammam-Howe said "no for the 4th time," he would move on.

Hammam-Howe says that when he asked, "So for me to make it to the top with you and your influence all I need to do is let you give me a blow job," Marin confirmed that that was the case.

After Hammam-Howe declined to meet with Marin, Marin texted again to say that Hammam-Howe was out of the running for the Armani campaign, according to the complaint.

"In direct retaliation for plaintiff's refusal to submit to defendant Nole Marin's unwanted sexual advances, plaintiff's prospective employment with Runway Magazine and with various advertising campaigns was abruptly terminated," according to the complaint.

Marin's attorney, Jeff Sanders, stated: "This complaint is rife with so many false allegations -- from the mundane to the sensational, that Mr. Hamman-Howe's attorneys should be ashamed. Mr. Nole is an icon in the fashion industry who will not be intimidated by Mr. Hamman-Howe's desperate fiction, and will defend these claims vigorously."

Hammam-Howe seeks damages from Marin and Runway Beauty, alleging sexual harassment and assault and battery.

He is represented by Martha McBrayer with Morelli Ratner.

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