Leona Lewis Defends Chrissy Teigen, Say’s She Was Hurt By Michael Costello
Michael Costello has addressed bullying accusations made by British singer Leona Lewis via a lengthy response on his Instagram Story.
Costello wrote on top of a photo of Lewis wearing a red maxi dress on her Instagram page: “@LeonaLewis no dis no shade no hate I love you and your music I still follow you but not sure what happen. I’ve reached out to you personally. And I have 7 emails from the last 4 years and these past 9 weeks from your team and stylist still requesting looks last email 05/17/21. Leona I am still a fan and I’m not coming for you but let’s talk about what you were feeling about this dress I thought you were happy.” Leona’s post from 2015 was captioned, “So sassy in my @michaelcostello dress,” which Costello narrates sarcastically over.
This is a response to Leona Lewis’ Instagram Story, where she declared that “I feel that I have to say something as I’ve dealt with years of insecurity from it. I don’t condone any type of bully behavior and I’m sorry for what Michael Costello went through.” Lewis said that Costello refused to alter a sample sized dress to fit her for an upcoming charity fashion show in 2014, which made her feel “very awkward and uncomfortable.”
Lewis said that Costello stood her up the night before the show, making the 36-year-old songstress feel that her body type was undesired. She said the rejection caused her embarrassment and affected her personal and professional life. She addressed Teigen's apology yesterday as showing her “sincere remorse and rehabilitation” and alleges that Michael is trying to “kick them when they’re down.”
“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 I feel. But the pot calling the kettle black in this situation doesn’t sit right with me.”
Costello’s last story post was lengthy, saying that he’s reached out to Leona after seeing her account of him on her Story, without receiving a response. “Given that you have publicly shared your experience with me on Instagram without coming to me privately first, I have no choice but to respond to you here as I tried reaching out to you privately without much luck,” he wrote.
The 38-year-old designer said he was “really surprised to hear about your traumatic experience with me,” as he recalled them having a “wonderful time at the fitting.” He claimed he had left dress options for Leona back then, and that she told him she loved them.
He added that after her team reached out to him in May for a look to wear on American Idol, Leona personally invited him to fit her, and that he recalled them having a pleasant conversation.
“I have lost tons of opportunities, sleepless nights and I’m not in a good mental state of mind. I wish you spoke to me directly instead of Instagram, especially when I am at my most vulnerable moment,” he continued. “I pray your intentions are pure, and that you’re not acting recklessly in an attempt to smear me and all the dresses I created for you to save a friend. If you were in my position, I’m sure you would equally be as shocked.”
He concluded the post by letting Leona know he’s available for a “heart-to-heart conversation” whenever she’s ready.
Teigen hasn’t commented on Michael’s accusations.
