News | Entertainment
1 Jul 2025 12:28
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
     29 Jun: Kneecap play Glastonbury set amid terrorism charge as police investigate crowd chants
     28 Jun: Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Harvey Weinstein cases test the limits and legacy of #MeToo movement
     27 Jun: Charlize Theron's daughter was reduced to tears by her mullet
     27 Jun: Demi Lovato is releasing her first cookbook
     27 Jun: Sharon Osbourne believes that Ozzy Osbourne's fans will "carry him" through Black Sabbath's farewell gig
     27 Jun: John Cena called out a fan for filming him without permission
     27 Jun: Tom Brady is reportedly set to attend Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's lavish Italian wedding
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Levi Aumua is departing the Crusaders after two Super Rugby seasons More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    China's EV newcomer Xiaomi sells nearly 300,000 SUVs in an hour More...



     Today's News

    Rugby League:
    Warriors reserve grade halfback Tanah Boyd's decision to reject an approach to join North Queensland in the NRL looks poised for reward 11:57

    Cricket:
    Proverbial white smoke has emerged from the Australian cricket team's HQ in the Caribbean on their West Indies tour 11:37

    Rugby League:
    Warriors' reserve grade play-maker Tanah Boyd views himself as a logical replacement if halfback Luke Metcalf is ruled out for the NRL season with a knee injury 11:27

    National:
    Trump’s worldview is causing a global shift of alliances – what does this mean for nations in the middle? 11:17

    International:
    Musicians like Abel Selaocoe are broadening classical music to reflect our evolving stories 11:17

    Cricket:
    Black Cap Ish Sodhi's desperate to show his spinning evolution after earning a reprieve under incoming coach Rob Walter 10:47

    Environment:
    Warmer seas are fuelling the dangerous ‘weather bomb’ about to hit NSW 10:37

    National:
    Understanding the ‘Slopocene’: how the failures of AI can reveal its inner workings 10:27

    National:
    Sudan: foreign interests are deepening a devastating war – only regional diplomacy can stop them 10:17

    Law and Order:
    A 31-year-old man's been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm in relation to a homicide investigation in South Auckland's Otahuhu 10:07


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd