News | Entertainment
7 Jan 2026 2:07
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.

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     06 Jan: George Clooney has "rediscovered" his love of acting
     06 Jan: Denise Richards and her estranged husband, Aaron Phypers, have been evicted from their Los Angeles home
     06 Jan: Aled Jones "didn't know" all of Walking in the Air when he went to record it
     06 Jan: Fatboy Slim "doggedly" sticks to Hawaiian shirts
     06 Jan: Pat McGrath believes make-up is a "language of feeling"
     06 Jan: Ian Ziering has been accused of battery and assault
     06 Jan: Sir Michael Palin believes his comedy background "helps" his travel documentaries
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    It's au revoir for AJ Lam after the upcoming Super Rugby season More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    EB Games is proposing to shut down its New Zealand business - according to a letter sent to employees More...



     Today's News

    Law and Order:
    What are Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores alleged to have done? 22:17

    Cricket:
    The Auckland Hearts are struggling to mount a sizeable total in their women's Super Smash T20 against the Sparks on Eden Park's outer oval 21:57

    Entertainment:
    George Clooney has "rediscovered" his love of acting 21:53

    Entertainment:
    Denise Richards and her estranged husband, Aaron Phypers, have been evicted from their Los Angeles home 21:23

    Environment:
    Construction's underway on new flood resilience for a road in Hawke's Bay's Omahu 21:17

    Entertainment:
    Aled Jones "didn't know" all of Walking in the Air when he went to record it 20:53

    Entertainment:
    Fatboy Slim "doggedly" sticks to Hawaiian shirts 20:23

    Entertainment:
    Pat McGrath believes make-up is a "language of feeling" 19:53

    Law and Order:
    More than 50 people have been scouring the Southern Alps for missing tramper Connor Purvis 19:47

    Entertainment:
    Ian Ziering has been accused of battery and assault 19:23


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd