Michael Costello has claimed bullying from Chrissy Teigen left him wanting to end his life.
Michael Costello
The fashion designer was suicidal after to seven years of "deep, unhealed trauma", which he alleged was sparked by comments made by the 'Lip Sync Battle' star targeting him online and accusing him of "being a racist" in comments on his Instagram page and then refused to listen to his defence.
In a lengthy Instagram post, the former 'Project Runway' contestant wrote: "She apparently formed her own opinion of me based on a photoshopped comment floating around the internet which has now proven to be false by Instagram and since taken down.
"When I reached out to Chrissy Teigen to communicate that I was the victim of a vindictive cyber slander, and that everything she thought I was is not who I am, she told me that my career was over and that all doors would be shut from there on.”
Michael shared a screenshot of a conversation between himself and Chrissy at the time - which has not been verified - in which he insisted the comment, which featured the N-word, had been made up by a former employee.
In the screenshot, Chrissy allegedly hit back: "Racist people like you deserve to suffer and die. You might as well be dead. Your career is over, just watch.”
The designer insisted the 'Chrissy's Court' star and stylist Monica Rose intervened to limit his work opportunities, as he alleged they went "out of their way to threaten people and brands that if they were in any shape or form associated with me, they would not work with any of them."
Michael claimed the campaign against him left him suicidal as he felt there was no way he could "escape" from the "false narrative".
He wrote: “So many nights I stayed awake, wanting to kill myself. I didn’t see the point of living. There was no way I can ever escape from being the target of the powerful elites in Hollywood, who actually do have powers to close doors with a single text.
“Last week, I wrote personal letters to my family and closest friends because I thought that taking my own life would be the best way out..
“I told my family how much I loved them, how much I cared for them, and just how sorry I was for my decision. Since then, everyone in my family has had me on a close watch against my will."
Michael explained he has never spoken out before because he was "living in fear" but ultimately realised he could "not be happy" until he did.
He added: “As a result of what Chrissy Teigen did to me in 2014, I am not okay. I may never be okay, but today, I am choosing to speak my truth."
Michael's post came just hours after Chrissy returned from a social media hiatus to address recent bullying allegations against her from people including Courtney Stodden, who claimed in May that the Sports Illustrated beauty used to “privately DM me and tell me to kill myself.”
Chrissy wrote: "Hi all. It has been a VERY humbling few weeks. I know I've been quiet, and lord knows you don't want to hear about me, but I want you to know I've been sitting in a hole of deserved global punishment, the ultimate ‘sit here and think about what you've done.' Not a day, not a single moment has passed where I haven't felt the crushing weight of regret for the things I've said in the past.
“I've apologized publicly to one person, but there are others—and more than just a few—who I need to say I'm sorry to. I'm in the process of privately reaching out to the people I insulted. It's like my own version of that show My Name is Earl! I understand that they may not want to speak to me. I don't think I'd like to speak to me. (The real truth in all of this is how much I actually cannot take confrontation.) But if they do, I am here and I will listen to what they have to say, while apologizing through sobs. (sic)”
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