Chrissy Holds Court

She’s the supermodel who married a Legend. Now, she’s taking the law into her own hands and holding court in the kitchen.

Like many other stars at this harrowing time, 34-year-old model-turnedentrepreneur and television personality, Chrissy Teigen, is doing her best to spread her brand of happiness.

A star on social media, Chrissy is no stranger to the power of posting to the masses. The busy mother-of-two has more than 28 million followers on Instagram, 12 million on Twitter, and often has her fans laughing at her outspoken views on everything from politics to body image.

The Lip Sync Battle host has two children, four-year-old Luna and two-year-old Miles, with music superstar John Legend, and the whole family are regularly featured on Chrissy’s social media feed.

Proud Mum

Family life is hectic but Chrissy wouldn’t have it any other way despite being impacted by the Covid-19 lockdown order in force in Los Angeles.

“It’s been so great. Honestly, we have so much of a good time. Both our kids are at the perfect age right now. They are having conversations with us.”

“It’s chaos but we’ve always liked that controlled chaos. It’s fun. It reminds me of being on set and there’s never really a peaceful moment. I think that’s why when I am in a car or something, I’m like, ‘Silence!’ I like pure silence. Our house is crazy. There are always people in and out. It’s just a hectic lifestyle but I like it.” Like many in isolation, the former Sports Illustrated model is trying to make the most of her time at home.

“Everyone is really struggling and trying to figure out how they are going to make it. No one knows what is happening. Nobody has all the answers. All we can do is keep each other company, have fun and make the best of what we are going through,” reflects Chrissy.

Taking Things Offline

Part of her new offline routine includes taking the time to slow down and pamper herself.

“It’s always important to make time for yourself,” she explains. “Before bed is my real time to myself. I get to take care of me, and feel like I actually have time for it, rather than rushing through it. It doesn’t happen seven days a week by any means but when I get to do it, I’m happy.”

Beyond staying fit physically, Chrissy reveals that she pays special attention to her mental health in times of crisis.

“I think it’s really important to keep your wits about you and be able to laugh things off. I love social media but it can be a really weird place sometimes. That’s why I love Twitter so much because you can curate your own feed and you’re able to see things that make you happy. I love to laugh and see things that make me laugh.”

Social Media Superstar

Part of her endearing quality is how she keeps it super real and super down-to-earth on social media. Arguably the queen of Twitter, Chrissy’s not one to shy away from airing her views on the platform whether it be her latest political tirade, her appreciation for good food or being brutally honest about the headaches that come with being a mother.

“What you are seeing is me, but it’s tough sometimes. You want to be able to say more, but you can’t,” she confesses before revealing that she still lives in fear of online cancel culture.

“Sometimes I’m not in the right headspace to deal with it. I have two kids. I got other stuff going on. Sometimes I want to say something so badly, but it’s not worth it. I need my mind to be clear.”

While she’s had to deal with her fair share of haters online, it has taught her to be smart about what to say and when to say it.

“I’m much better about saying things and when not to say things now,” she shares. “The timing of how to say things is the trick. Now, I sit back and watch everybody else get into trouble!”

Here for the Cheer

Whether online or off, one thing is clear: Chrissy just wants to spread a little cheer.

Lately, she’s been doing that with Chrissy’s Court, a bite-sized show on new video streaming app, Quibi, where she sits in judgement of small claims cases.

With her mother, Vilailuck aka Pepper Thai, as her bailiff, the show features real people with their disputes and trials, carried out with a huge dose of humour.

“John first sold me on the concept because he really loved it,” says Chrissy. “To work with my mum every day was just so fun. I didn’t know that something so quick could be so entertaining. We had such a good time. I get to sit and wear a robe, it is heaven!”

The cookbook author has also been keeping busy by turning her Cravings cooking brand into a website.

In addition to traditionally-formatted recipes, there are videos of Chrissy and her family cooking up dishes in her kitchen and enjoying food from around the world.

“It’s such a true labour of love and we were so happy to do it for everybody,” shares the self-confessed foodie. “I never had a website except for a tiny little blog in the very, very beginning of my dating life with John. Cravingsbychrissyteigen.com has now transformed into a team, but it's still very personal to me.”

Reality Bites

Away from her online life, the snippets we do get of Chrissy’s offline life is equally entertaining and would make for great reality television. But the loving mum is adamant that she doesn’t want cameras eroding her privacy.

“I’m too scared,” she says. “The things that I say on a daily basis… I don’t want to get into trouble! My mum would love to have a show, I know that. I don’t think I could do it. It’s too scary. Having people talk about you and watching that back? Oh I would cry. I’m pretty sensitive.”

For now, Chrissy is content to bask in the glow of being a parent in her home with her husband. Together, the tightknit pair have a progressive parenting style.

“What John and I have done with having kids, is to take everything as it comes. It’s not like we can set schedules for everything. Everything is going to fall together,” she shares.

“I’m stricter for sure. I can be ‘go-with-the-flow’ but I also know exactly what they need when it comes to discipline. I am stricter than John but we have a good balance. I think that’s what works between us.”

"All we can do is make the best of what we’re going through"

CELEBRITY COOKBOOKS

Put on your chef’s hat and check out these cookbooks that deserve a spot on your bookshelf:

"Cravings by Chrissy Teigen"

Chock-a-block full of Chrissy’s trademark wit, Cravings was so popular when it came out in 2016 that it spawned a second cookbook, Cravings: Hungry For More.

"Together: Our Community Cookbook, with foreword by the Duchess of Sussex"

In her first project as the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle sponsored this cookbook that features recipes from women whose community was affected by London’s devastating Grenfell Tower fire.

"The Clean Plate by Gwyneth Paltrow"

Can you believe that this was actually the Goop founder’s fourth cookbook? It focuses on meals that are healthy but delicious, like Turkey Meatball Pho and Chocolate Chia Pudding.

"Heartfelt by Pippa Middleton"

Like her sister-in-law, Pippa is a maven in the kitchen. Her cookbook features hearthealthy dishes and was produced in conjunction with the British Heart Foundation.

"Whiskey in a Teacup by Reese Witherspoon"

Reese is a true blue southern belle and her memoir features lots of childhood meals from her Louisiana upbringing. Think Southern Fried Chicken, Cheddar Biscuits and Cowboy Cookies.