Singer Leona Lewis has hit back at designer Michael Costello after he claimed Chrissy Teigen told him to “suffer and die”.
Costello opened up about his past experiences with the model in an Instagram post on Monday, where he shared messages reportedly from Chrissy.
The star is accused of telling him that “racist people like you deserve to suffer and die. You might as well be dead,” after reports came out in 2014 alleging the designer was a racist.
In his post he shared with followers, he admitted he “wanted to kill himself” and is still “traumatised and depressed” following the rumours that spread online.
(Image: Getty Images)
The accusations were proven to be false by Instagram and eventually taken down.
Now X-Factor champ Leona has spoken out, saying the designer left her feeling “humiliated” after refusing to dress her for a charity event in the same year.
The 36-year-old shared a lengthy message on her Stories on Tuesday describing how she felt body-shamed.
The Bleeding Love singer said Michael’s actions led to her having years of mental anguish and feeling “deep insecurities”.
(Image: Getty Images for New York Fashion Week: The Shows)
She also defended TV personality Chrissy Teigen’s apology and for showing ‘sincere remorse’ for her past actions.
Leona added she doesn’t condone any type of bully behaviour but wanted to share her own experiences.
She had been “excited” and “honoured” to take part in the Go Red For Women The Heart Truth Red Dress Collection at MercedesBenz Fashion Week in New York seven years ago.
Michael had been assigned as her designer but claims the team couldn’t make the sample size dress fit her after promising to make it ‘work’.
(Image: Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
She wrote: “When I got to my fitting I was made to feel very awkward and uncomfortable as the dress was a sample size and he/his team clearly did not want to alter it to fit me.
“This came as a total surprise because weeks prior I was told that they would make the dress work for me. At the next fitting, the night before the show, with no explanation at all, Michael refused to turn up.
“He no longer wanted to dress me and he abandoned his commitments to me and the show which made me well aware that I wasn’t the body type required.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Instead of taking part, Leona sat in the front row and was quizzed by the press why she’d walk in the show.
She added that she’s glad the designer has “saw the light” since and confessed, “we all make mistakes”.
She said: “I know I have, but at this time I feel that when people apologise (Chrissy) and show sincere remorse and rehabilitation for their actions, we should embrace them and not try and kick them when they’re down.
Like what you see? Then fill your boots…
There’s MUCH more where that came from! Want all the jaw-dropping stories from the world of showbiz and up to the minute news from TV and soaps?
Well, we’ve got you covered with our showbiz, TV and soaps newsletters – they’ll drop straight into your inbox and you can unsubscribe whenever you like.
We’ll bring you the inside track from telly expert Ed Gleave and soap specialist Sasha Morris. Oh, and your daily fix of Piers, Katie Price, Demi Rose and all your other Daily Star favs.
You can sign up here – you won’t regret it…
“I’m not discounting Michael’s experience as that is an awful thing to go through and I wish him so much love and healing. I’m sure this will come as a shock as I never told him how this made me feel.
“But the pot calling the kettle black in this situation doesn’t sit right with me. Bullying comes in many different forms. We need love, we need accountability, we need forgiveness, none of us are perfect.”
35-year-old Chrissy has been hit with backlash over the past few weeks for her previous comments and has issued apologies over her actions.
For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
