News | Entertainment
21 Dec 2025 1:35
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Michael Costello has been left bemused by Leona Lewis' claims against him

    The 'Project Runway' contestant claimed earlier this week online bullying from Chrissy Teigen left him suicidal, prompting the 'Bleeding Love' hitmaker to defend the model and accuse the fashion designer of leaving her with body image issues when he pulled out of dressing her for a 2014 event


    In response to Leona, Michael highlighted the fact the 36-year-old singer continued to wear his designs after then and urged her to get in touch with him to discuss what had happened.

    He wrote on his Instagram story alongside a photo of Leona in one of his dresses: "@LeonaLewis No dis no shade no hate, I love you and your music I still follow you but not sure what [happened].

    "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 am not coming for you. But let's talk about what you were feeling about this dress I thought you were happy."

    He also shared a photo of himself with the former 'X Factor' champion.

    He wrote: "And alongside a screengrab of an email from a stylist's assistant asking for Michael's help in making the star's appearance on the 'American Idol' finale "special", he wrote: "If I made you feel bad in 2014 but you still wore my dresses and request them can we try and figure out what got lost in translation with the dress you wore? You looked so beautiful in it."

    Leona had called out Michael for double standards after alleging he had "humiliated" her in their 2014 row ahead of a charity fashion show.

    After telling how Michael "abandoned" his commitments to the event by failing to show up for a fitting, she wrote on her Instagram Story: “I was so embarrassed and deeply hurt. Because I didn’t look like a model size, I wasn’t permitted to walk in his dress.

    “I remember having to come up with excuses as I was so humiliated by it all... I was left with deep insecurities after this and I’ve had to work hard over the years to love my body.”

    Although the 'One More Sleep' singer wishes Michael "healing", she insisted "bullying comes in many different forms", as she accused Michael of "pot calling the kettle black".

    She concluded: “I wish him so much love and healing. I’m sure this will come as a shock as I’ve never told him how I 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.”

    Leona spoke out after the designer had alleged that his suicidal feelings were sparked by comments made by Chrissy targeting him online and accusing him of "being a racist" in comments on his Instagram page.

    And Michael is still waiting for Chrissy to contact him directly with an apology.

    He said: "I am not out for revenge. I only wish to speak my truth because I have been silenced for so long.

    "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."

    Chrissy recently returned from a social media hiatus to address bullying allegations and vowed to apologise personally to those she had "insulted" in the past.

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     20 Dec: Bonnie Blue is set to be deported from Bali and banned from the island for a decade
     20 Dec: Sydney Sweeney has confirmed her "boobs [are] real"
     20 Dec: James L. Brooks is "sure" Jack Nicholson will work again
     20 Dec: David Letterman is relieved not to be hosting a late-night talk show anymore
     20 Dec: Taylor Swift broke down in tears about the tragedies that impacted her Eras Tour
     20 Dec: King Charles will address the nation about his "recovery journey" on Friday (12.12.25) night
     20 Dec: Lewis Capaldi has dismissed speculation of a feud with Taylor Swift, branding the rumours "hogwash"
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    A steep challenge juggling a busy calendar for incoming Black Ferns head coach Whitney Hansen More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Sport New Zealand chief executive Raelene Castle has shed light on the challenge sports administrators face between balancing transparency and confidentiality More...



     Today's News

    Living & Travel:
    One lucky Whangarei lotto player's just become a multi-millionaire five days shy of Christmas 21:56

    Entertainment:
    Bonnie Blue is set to be deported from Bali and banned from the island for a decade 21:50

    Entertainment:
    Sydney Sweeney has confirmed her "boobs [are] real" 21:20

    Christchurch:
    Four people have been injured, one seriously, following a three-vehicle crash in Dunsandel in Canterbury 21:16

    International:
    Jeffrey Epstein documents partially published by US Department of Justice — as it happened 21:06

    Skiing:
    Valentino Guseli wins snowboard halfpipe bronze at Copper Mountain World Cup 21:06

    Entertainment:
    James L. Brooks is "sure" Jack Nicholson will work again 20:50

    Law and Order:
    A first look through the Epstein files reveals celebrity snaps, police notes and a lot of Bill Clinton 20:26

    Entertainment:
    David Letterman is relieved not to be hosting a late-night talk show anymore 20:20

    International:
    Epstein files contain new photo of former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor 20:16


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd