News | Entertainment
20 Oct 2025 3:25
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
     18 Oct: Ace Frehley has died aged 74
     18 Oct: Olivia Culpo has suffered a "little bit of an identity crisis" since giving birth
     18 Oct: Sam Fender has won the 2025 Mercury Prize
     18 Oct: Jennifer Aniston is "much gentler" on her body nowadays
     18 Oct: Jacob Elordi experienced "moments of great anguish" amid shooting Frankenstein
     18 Oct: Ben Stiller believes lockdown helped to save his marriage
     18 Oct: Danielle Fishel has always been "very hard on [herself]"
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    North Otago coach Luke Herden reckons they're peaking at the business end of rugby's Heartland Championship More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    The secondary school teachers union says most of its members earn over $100,000 a year More...



     Today's News

    Living & Travel:
    Papua New Guinea canonises country's first Catholic saint 23:06

    Accident and Emergency:
    A man has died as a result of a fire in Tasman earlier today 21:56

    Accident and Emergency:
    A man has died after a house fire just before 11 this morning, in Riwaka in the Tasman District 21:16

    Basketball:
    A sixth loss of the season for the Breakers in basketball's NBL 18:56

    Basketball:
    The Breakers are on track for another defeat in basketball's NBL 18:36

    Politics:
    North Adelaide golf course safeguards fall short, some Kaurna community members say 18:06

    Rugby League:
    A thrilling opening match of today's international league double-header in Auckland.. 18:06

    Rugby League:
    The Kiwi Ferns are storming back into their opening match of league's Pacific Championships against Samoa in Auckland 17:26

    Business:
    The secondary school teachers union says most of its members earn over $100,000 a year 17:26

    Basketball:
    The Breakers are bidding for back-to-back wins for the first time this season as they face Melbourne United in Melbourne this afternoon 17:26


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd