News | Entertainment
23 Dec 2025 19:16
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
     23 Dec: Martin Grelis has died at the age of 57
     23 Dec: Nelly and Ashanti's son KK is already "walking" and "terrorising"
     23 Dec: Jimmy Kimmel has blasted Donald Trump's "hateful and vile" comments about the late Rob Reiner
     23 Dec: Jane Fonda saw Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner just one day before they were killed
     23 Dec: Angelina Jolie has shared her mastectomy scars in a new photoshoot
     23 Dec: Simu Liu got in touch with Taylor Swift to help with his proposal to Allison Hsu
     23 Dec: Donald Trump has insisted the late Rob Reiner was "very bad" for America
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Kiwi darts player Jonny Tata sits on the cusp of history at the world championships in London More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Berries, corn, and fruit pies are in hot demand as supermarkets prepare for the Christmas rush More...



     Today's News

    Law and Order:
    Suzuki's announced a voluntary safety recall for its VIN range 2025 FRONX Hybrid car - which was found to have a potentially life-threatening rear seatbelt fault 18:57

    Entertainment:
    Martin Grelis has died at the age of 57 18:50

    Motoring:
    Ferrari crash reportedly kills Call of Duty co-founder Vince Zampella in California 18:47

    Basketball:
    Breakers head coach Petteri Koponen is demanding better effort from his side after a third straight ANBL defeat 18:37

    Entertainment:
    Nelly and Ashanti's son KK is already "walking" and "terrorising" 18:20

    Rugby League:
    The San Francisco 49-ers have continued their charge to the NFL playoffs 18:07

    Entertainment:
    Jimmy Kimmel has blasted Donald Trump's "hateful and vile" comments about the late Rob Reiner 17:50

    Politics:
    Te Pati Maori's expressed dismay about a perceived lack of inclusion of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in a new trade deal with India 17:27

    Entertainment:
    Jane Fonda saw Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner just one day before they were killed 17:20

    Law and Order:
    Police have made four arrests regarding the murder of Bill Maangi in Gisborne 16:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd