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7 Jul 2025 9:50
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  •   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

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