Chrissy Teigen Faces Bullying Accusations After Past Messages Resurface: A Timeline of Her Controversy

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Chrissy Teigen Faces Bullying Accusations After Past Messages Resurface: A Timeline of Her Controversy

Chrissy Teigen was one of the most influential stars on social media — but her messy past caused plenty of fans to question her use of the platform. In March 2021, the Cravings author announced that she was leaving Twitter after becoming the target of relentless trolls. "For over 10 years, you guys have been my world. I honestly owe so much to this world we have created here. I truly consider so many of you my actual friends," she tweeted at the time. "But it’s time for me to say goodbye. This no longer serves me as positively as it serves me negatively, and I think that’s the right time to call something." Teigen concluded: "I encourage you to know and never forget that your words matter. No matter what you see, what that person portrays, or your intention. For years I have taken so many small, 2-follower count punches that at this point, I am honestly deeply bruised." Courtney Stodden, who identifies as non-binary, took to social media to share their past history with Teigen. "What a shame @chrissyteigen is leaving Twitter ... it’s too 'negative' for herrrrrr #chrissyteigen #bully," Stodden wrote via Twitter alongside several screenshots of previous message they received from the model. Teigen returned to Twitter in April 2021 after a brief break. One month later, Stodden opened up about the hurtful comments that they received from the Chrissy's Court alum. [jwplayer wpE9Oxfj-l3ahXupL] “She wouldn’t just publicly tweet about wanting me to take ‘a dirt nap’ but would privately DM me and tell me to kill myself. Things like, ‘I can’t wait for you to die,’” the "Pleasure" singer told the Daily Beast in May 2021. “Some of the worst treatment I got was from women, and we’re not going to get anywhere if we keep holding each other back.” The songwriter revealed that their mental health suffered as a result of the messages they received, including the ones from Teigen. "There have been a lot of evenings where I’ve felt — and still feel — alone. The way my life has been is so tragic that I just feel empty,” Stodden said. Teigen posted a public apology to Stodden two days later, writing, “Not a lot of people are lucky enough to be held accountable for all their past bulls--t in front of the entire world. I’m mortified and sad at who I used to be. I was an insecure, attention seeking troll. I am ashamed and completely embarrassed at my behavior but that is nothing compared to how I made Courtney feel.” Following online backlash about Teigen's resurfaced messages, the former Lip Sync Battle host posted a lengthy follow-up apology to anyone else she may have hurt. After her second statement, fashion designer Michael Costello accused Teigen of bullying him and threatening his career. "For the past 7 years, I've lived with a deep, unhealed trauma,” Costello explained via Instagram in June 2021. “In 2014, I received a public comment from Chrissy Teigen on my Instagram page, accusing me of being racist. She apparently formed her own opinion of me based on a Photoshopped comment floating around the internet which has now been proven to be false by Instagram and since taken down. When I reached out to Chrissy Teigen to communicate that I was the victim of a vindictive cyber slander, and that everything she thought I was is not who I am, she told me that my career was over and that all my doors will be shut from there on." Teigen did not immediately respond to the Project Runway alum's claims and kept a lower profile on social media as the drama continued. Scroll through for a complete breakdown of the controversy: If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. [podcast_block]

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Stodden Responds

The Washington native reminded Teigen to be kind in a clip uploaded to social media one day after Teigen’s post. The video showed the reality star standing in front of the Cravings author’s recent Instagram post and laughing before switching to a screen reading “just be nice.”

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Courtney Stodden Speaks Out

“People came out of the woodwork to beat up on a kid because she was in a situation that she shouldn’t have been in," the pageant winner told the Daily Beast in May 2021. “There were a lot of celebrities acting like playground bullies.”

The singer also claimed during the interview that not many people reached out to take ownership of their past behavior.

"They have not sought to apologize or sent any kind of love my way," they said at the time. "The majority of love and apologies have come from reporters and also people online who tell me that they appreciate me and love me, and that I’m a source of strength for them. And that means everything to me."

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Chrissy Apologies to Courtney

The cookbook author posted an apology on social media and explained that she tried to reach out to Stodden privately as well.

“These were not my only mistakes and surely won’t be my last as hard as I try but God I will try!!” she wrote via Twitter in May 2021. “I’m so sorry, Courtney. I hope you can heal now knowing how deeply sorry I am.”

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Chrissy Leaves Netflix Show

Variety reported in June 2021 that Teigen "opted to drop out" of season 2 of Never Have I Ever. She was set to voice a character in one episode of the Mindy Kaling-created Netflix show.

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Chrissy Apologizes Again

In a second apology, Teigen opened up about experiencing a "humbling few weeks" as the controversy continued. “Not a day, not a single moment has passed where I haven’t felt the crushing weight of regret for the things I’ve said in the past,” she wrote via Medium in June 2021. “As you know, a bunch of my old awful (awful, awful) tweets resurfaced. I’m truly ashamed of them. As I look at them and understand the hurt they caused, I have to stop and wonder: How could I have done that?”

While she "apologized publicly to one person," the former Sports Illustrated model acknowledged that there are "more than just a few" other people she owes explanations. “I understand that they may not want to speak to me," Teigen continued. "I don’t think I’d like to speak to me. ... But if they do, I am here and I will listen to what they have to say, while apologizing through sobs. There is simply no excuse for my past horrible tweets. My targets didn’t deserve them. No one does. Many of them needed empathy, kindness, understanding and support, not my meanness masquerading as a kind of casual, edgy humor.”

Teigen explained that she felt she "needed to impress strangers to be accepted," but she recognized there was "no justification" for her "a--hole actions.

“Words have consequences and there are real people behind the Twitter handles I went after. I wasn’t just attacking some random avatar, but hurting young women — some who were still girls — who had feelings,” she concluded. “I’m telling you this for context, not seeking or deserving any sympathy. … I won’t ask for your forgiveness, only your patience and tolerance. I ask that you allow me, as I promise to allow you, to own past mistakes and be given the opportunity to seek self improvement and change."

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Michael Costello's Accusations

Following Teigen's lengthy post, Costello shared that he had a similar experience with her in the past, claiming that she once wrote to him, “Racist people like you deserve to suffer and die. You might as well be dead. Your career is over, just watch."

He also said that the messages from Teigen caused him to struggle with his mental health.

"I didn't see the point of living. There was no way I can ever escape from being the target of the powerful elites in Hollywood, who actually do have the powers to close doors with a single text," he continued. "Not only was I the target of cyber defamation, I was also getting blocklisted [sic] in real life."

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Clearing the Air

One day after his post circulated on social media, Costello further addressed his claims in a statement to Us Weekly. 

"I want to be clear - I do not wish ill on anyone. We are all works in progress and we deserve the opportunity to prove that we can do better. But progress takes time. We must show through actions that we have changed," he said. "After all, actions speak much louder than a 10 minute apology written on a notepad. However, nothing takes away from the years of trauma being bullied and blacklisted in the industry has left me. I am not out for revenge. I only wish to speak my truth because I have been silenced for so long." 

He added: "I'm still waiting for Chrissy Teigen and anyone who bullied me to reach out to me. If they truly acknowledge that their actions are wrong, I welcome them with open arms to have a real conversation."

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John Gives Update

Days after Costello's comments made headlines, John Legend said his wife was feeling "great," according to the Daily Mail.

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The Denial

Days after Costello's post went viral, a rep for Teigen told Business Insider that the alleged DMs "appear to be manipulated," noting that the screenshots were missing the blue verified checkmark attached to Teigen's social media profiles. Costello claimed the messages were from 2014, but Teigen's team pointed out inconsistencies, including video chat icons and other designs that weren't introduced until more recently.

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In Her Defense

Legend took to social media to claim that Costello faked the 2014 screenshots he said he received from Teigen.

"Chrissy apologized for her public tweets, but after her apology, Mr Costello fabricated a DM exchange between them. This exchange was made up, completely fake, never happened," the singer tweeted, linking to the Business Insider report about the potentially fabricated messages. "Honestly I don’t know why anyone would fake DMs to insert themselves in this narrative, but that’s what happened. I encourage everyone who breathlessly spread this lie to keep that same energy when they correct the record."

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Her Side of the Story

After her husband confirmed claims that Costello's screenshots were potentially fabricated, Teigen returned to social media to share a statement.

"Chrissy is completely surprised and disappointed by Michael Costello's recent attack, which includes fictional "screenshots" from 2014 of supposed private message that Chrissy didn't send," the Twitter statement read in June 2021. "In October 2014, she did post a comment on Mr. Costello's Instagram when he was publicly accused of making a racist remark. After he denied the accusation, and claimed it was based on a photoshopped comment, Chrissy deleted the comment, as was reported at the time."

Teigen included a photo of her alleged Instagram DMs with Costello alongside the written clarification about her past interactions with the designer.

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Leaning on Her Man

“Oh, my God. He’s been everything,” Teigen told TMZ in June 2021 of her husband following his support amid the scandal. “He’s my everything. Vital.” She added, “I’m good.”

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Chrissy Steps Back From Cleaning Company

The model launched the cleaning supplies company Safely with Kris Jenner and Emma Gred in March 2021. Three months later, the company announced that Teigen would be “stepping away” from Safely to “take much needed time to focus on herself and be with her family,” in the wake of her bullying scandal. “We fully support her decision and are so thankful for her contributions,” the statement read via Instagram in June 2021. “The brand will continue to move forward and focus on our important mission of bringing high quality, hard-working cleaning products to all American households.”

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A Moment of Reflection

Teigen described how it felt to be in the “cancel club” in a July 2021 Instagram post, writing, "Just feels so weird to pretend nothing happened in this online world but feel like utter s--t in real life. Going outside sucks and doesn’t feel right, being at home alone with my mind makes my depressed head race. But I do know that however I’m handling this now isn’t the right answer. I feel lost and need to find my place again.”

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Focusing on What Is Most Important

“All I can do is live my life and take care of my kids and family. Everyone else can make their choice,” Teigen told TMZ in July 2021. “I have decided I’m not getting involved in anyone’s s--t ever again.”

The model noted that she could be canceled "forever."

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Clapping Back — Again

Stodden told TMZ in July 2021 that they "haven't received anything" from Teigen — not even a direct apology — since the drama began. "I don't know what she's talking about," the model said. "I have a message for her, and I think that continuing to gripe about 'cancel club' or whatever that is, I think step out, take your part and maybe do something with charities. Step out. Do something anti-bullying if she really means what she says. Get out. Do something. And it really helps the spirit, it does."

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The Aftermath

Months after the controversy unfolded, Teigen reflected on how much had changed during a candid interview on the Today show, noting that the fallout made her "a stronger person."

She said in October 2021: "I look at my kids and I look at what I want their values to be and how I want them to treat people, and to see that in myself — that I wasn't doing that — was the hardest part for me."

Teigen acknowledged that she didn't expect everyone to accept her apologies, adding, "I think you learn so much in the moments where you do lose so much. ... I feel like I've done the work and I just hope these people can forgive and ... hopefully they've seen me be better."