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Leona Lewis has defended Chrissy Teigen, after the television personality was accused of bullying by fashion designer Michael Costello.
The "Bleeding Love" singer took to Instagram on Tuesday to claim that Costello made her feel "very awkward and uncomfortable" at a 2014 fitting for a charity fashion show.
The British performer claims that Costello, a former Project Runway contestant, refused to alter a garment to fit her, leaving her embarrassed and ultimately not participating in the event.
Costello, on Monday, publicly spoke about how Teigen left him feeling suicidal, after an alleged campaign to end his career after he was accused of racism.
Now Lewis has since shared her negative experience with Costello, claiming "the pot calling the kettle black in this situation doesn't sit right with" her.
"I usually don't speak on subjects like this," Lewis began in her statement on her Instagram stories. "But honestly I feel that I have to say something as I've dealt with years of insecurity from it.
"I don't condone any kind of bully behavior and I'm sorry for what Michael Costello went through," she continued, adding she "wanted to share my experience in 2014."
"I was asked to take part in a fashion show to raise money for charity. Michael Costello was assigned as my designer. As an excited young woman, I flew all the way to New York and was so honored to work with him because I adored his dresses."
Lewis claimed that when she arrived at her fitting she was "made to feel very awkward and uncomfortable as the dress was a sample size and he/his team clearly did not want to alter it to fit me. This came as a total surprise because weeks prior I was told that they would make the dress work for me."
The 36-year-old alleged that at the next fitting the night before the show, "Michael refused to turn up.
"He no longer wanted to dress me and he abandoned his commitments to me and the show which made me well aware that I wasn't the body type required."
This left her feeling "so embarrassed and deeply hurt."
"I was not permitted to walk in his dress," she continued. "I had to sit in the audience and was asked by press why I didn't walk in the show. I remember having to come up with excuses as I was so humiliated by it all."
"I feel like I was made to look as though I pulled out and was being difficult and as an affect of those actions I suffered a lot, both personally and professionally," she said. "The most hurtful thing is that it was to raise money for charity, and this went against everything we were trying to do."
Lewis acknowledged Costello has evolved and that his clothing is available to "women of all sizes" now.
As for Costello's experience with Teigen, Lewis added: "I'm not discounting Michael's experience as that is an awful thing to go through and I wish him so much love and healing.
"I'm sure this will come as a shock as I never told him how this made me 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."
Coming to Teigen's defense, Lewis said "we all make mistakes," adding, "but at this time I feel that when people apologize (Chrissy) and show sincere remorse and rehabilitation for their actions, we should embrace them and not try and kick them when they're down."
She concluded: "We are trying our best and learning. I'm sorry for anyone who has gone through any kind of bullying, I'm also sorry if I've ever hurt anyone without knowing it as I'm sure was the case with Michael."
Following Lewis' claims, Costello responded to say that he tried to reach out to the singer, adding he was "really surprised to hear about your traumatic experience with me," and recalled them having a "wonderful time."
"You have never indicated to me how you felt, and you've continuously worn me, tagged me and had your team reach out to me to request more dresses... As recent as last month," the designer continued. "I have lost tons of opportunities, sleepless nights and I'm not in a good mental state of mind. I wish you spoke to me directly instead of Instagram, especially when I am at my most vulnerable moment."
Michael added: "I pray your intentions are pure, and that you're not acting recklessly in an attempt to smear me and all the dresses I created for you to save a friend. If you were in my position, I'm sure you would equally be as shocked."
If you have thoughts of suicide, confidential help is available for free at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-8255. The line is available 24 hours every day.
