When Racquel Chevremont joined the cast of The Real Housewives of New York City for Season 15, she didn't just bring a high-fashion wardrobe and a sharp eye for contemporary art. She brought a history that felt refreshing because of how grounded—and yet how complicated—it actually was. While Bravo fans love a good mystery, people have been digging deep to find out about Racquel Chevremont's ex-husband, a man who exists mostly in the background of her now very public, very queer life.
Honestly, it’s kinda rare to see a Housewife who transitions so seamlessly between worlds. Racquel is a power player in the art world, a former model, and a mother of two. But before the high-profile relationship with artist Mickalene Thomas and her current engagement to Mel Corpus, there was Corey MacArthur Baylor.
Who is Corey MacArthur Baylor?
Corey Baylor isn't a reality TV star. He’s a New York City financier who operates in a world far removed from the cameras of Andy Cohen. The two were married back in 2004. Think about that for a second—2004. This was a different era of New York, and Racquel was a rising force in the modeling and art scenes.
They stayed married for nearly a decade.
By the time they divorced in 2013, they had two children together: Corey and Elle. Despite the split, it seems like they’ve managed the "co-parenting in Manhattan" thing relatively well. You don’t hear Racquel trashing him on screen, which, let's be real, is almost a miracle for this franchise.
Corey MacArthur Baylor graduated from institutions like the University of Michigan and has built a serious career in investment banking and private equity. He’s currently a Managing Director at a major firm. Basically, he’s the quintessential "successful New York dad" who probably prefers a quiet gala to a screaming match at a Reunion taping.
Life after the marriage
After the divorce in 2013, Racquel’s life took a massive turn toward the art world—not just as a curator, but as a muse. She began a decade-long relationship with Mickalene Thomas, a world-renowned visual artist. This is where things get really heavy and, frankly, a bit dark.
If you're looking for the "ex" who is currently making headlines, it’s actually Mickalene, her former fiancée.
While the marriage to Corey Baylor ended quietly, the breakup with Mickalene has been anything but. In late 2024 and throughout 2025, Racquel filed explosive lawsuits against her ex-fiancée. We’re talking about claims of:
- Sexual harassment and a hostile work environment.
- Physical abuse allegations that surfaced in expanded court filings.
- Financial exploitation, with Racquel seeking over $10 million in damages.
Racquel argues that she was the "brains" behind the business side of Mickalene’s massive success from 2012 to 2022. She claims she was promised 20% of commissions on major art deals but was consistently short-changed. One of Mickalene's portraits of Racquel even sold for $1.8 million at Christie's.
It’s a messy, high-stakes battle. It makes the petty drama on RHONY look like child's play.
The kids and the new chapter
Despite the chaos of the lawsuits, Racquel seems focused on her kids, Corey and Elle Baylor. On the show, she’s touched on how important her family is, especially given her own "heartbreaking" childhood. She’s been open about her estrangement from her father, which likely fuels her desire to create a stable environment for her own teenagers.
Her son Corey is now a young adult, and her daughter Elle is a teenager with a passion for theater.
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Now, Racquel is engaged to Mel Corpus, a forensic neuropsychologist. It’s a total 180 from the art-world drama. Mel even asked Racquel’s kids for permission before proposing on a motorcycle ride near the Brooklyn Bridge. It was sweet. It was real.
What most people get wrong
The biggest misconception is that Racquel "left her husband for a woman" in a sudden epiphany. In reality, her marriage to Corey Baylor ended years before things with Mickalene became a public-facing creative partnership. Racquel has been living her truth as a queer woman for a long time.
She isn't just "the ex-wife of a financier" or "the muse of an artist." She’s a woman who has navigated the highest levels of New York society and the art market, often while being one of the only Black queer women in the room.
Actionable insights for fans and followers
If you're following Racquel's journey, keep an eye on the legal filings in New York Supreme Court. The case against Mickalene Thomas is a landmark situation for the art world, specifically regarding how "muses" and business partners are compensated in creative relationships.
- Follow the court case: The $10 million+ lawsuit is ongoing and will likely reveal more about their joint venture, Deux Femmes Noires.
- Watch the show for the "Real" Racquel: Pay attention to how she discusses her past. She’s surprisingly transparent about her trauma and her wins.
- Support the kids: Both Corey and Elle occasionally appear in the periphery of her social media; they seem to be thriving despite the public nature of their mom's career.
Racquel Chevremont is clearly done living in anyone's shadow—whether it’s a financier husband or a famous artist fiancée. She’s building her own brand now, and she’s doing it on her own terms.
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Next Steps for You: You can research the specific details of the Deux Femmes Noires collective to see the impact Racquel had on Black and LGBTQ+ artists before the legal fallout began. Alternatively, look into the 2024-2025 court dates for her civil suit to see the latest rulings on the financial claims.