About
Chrissy Teigen—born Christine Diane Teigen on November 30, 1985, in Delta, Utah—is a model-turned-entrepreneur who turned her quick wit and love of food into a multifaceted career. Her Thai-Norwegian background shapes both her cooking and her famously colorful social-media voice. After debuting in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2010 (she was named “Rookie of the Year”) she became a fixture on runways, red carpets, and TV screens, notably providing play-by-play commentary beside LL Cool J on Lip Sync Battle from 2015 to 2019. In 2016 she launched Cravings, a bestselling cookbook that snowballed into a lifestyle brand covering cookware, snacks, and an ever-growing library of recipes on her Cravings website. Her knack for making home cooking feel doable earned her a spot on TIME’s 100 Most Influential People list in 2019.
Before Fame
Teigen’s childhood zigzagged across the west coast. Her parents ran a tavern in Snohomish, Washington, before splitting up when she was a teen. At fifteen she relocated with her dad and sister to Huntington Beach, California, where she held a part-time job folding graphic tees in a surf shop. One afternoon a traveling photographer noticed her easy laugh and asked if she would pose for a casual clothing shoot. That chance encounter steered her into modeling gigs for Billabong and catalog work that paid the rent while she bounced between California and Miami. Those early seasons taught her to pack light, live in cramped model apartments, and hustle for the next booking—an unglamorous foundation that later fueled her down-to-earth persona online.
Trivia
- Name you’re probably saying wrong: Teigen has joked that her surname actually sounds like “Tie-gan,” not “Tee-gan,” but she rarely bothers correcting anyone anymore.
- Kitchen first, runway second: Long before Instagram punched her ticket to cookbook stardom, Teigen carried a suitcase packed with hot sauce on modeling trips and tested recipes in tiny hotel microwaves. Her Cravings series has topped bestseller lists and even landed on “best celebrity cookbooks” round-ups.
- Straight shooter on social media: Whether live-tweeting award shows or poking fun at herself for forgetting her son’s age, Teigen’s candor has earned both applause and the occasional headline.
- TIME 100 feather in her cap: Chef Eric Ripert penned her 2019 profile, praising her ability to make home cooking inviting for everyone.
- Small-screen voice acting: She lent her voice to Hotel Transylvania 3 and popped up in cameos ranging from sitcom guest spots to food-competition judging.
Family Life
Teigen’s life partner is EGOT-winning musician John Legend. They crossed paths during the 2006 shoot for his “Stereo” music video and tied the knot in Lake Como, Italy, on September 14, 2013. Their growing crew now includes four children: Luna Simone (born April 14, 2016), Miles Theodore (born May 17, 2018), Esti Maxine (born January 2023), and Wren Alexander (born June 19, 2023 via surrogate).
In 2020 the couple experienced pregnancy complications that resulted in the loss of their son Jack—an event they chose to share publicly to help remove stigma around pregnancy loss. The openness drew widespread support and positioned Teigen as an advocate for maternal-health awareness.
Daily life in the Legend-Teigen household often shows up on Instagram. Recent snippets include Luna in a mini chef’s coat decorating her own birthday cake, Miles practicing piano beside his dad, and baby Wren wearing a tiny orthopedic boot while a mild leg issue heals—an update Teigen posted with characteristic reassurance and humor.
Outside the domestic bubble, Teigen’s mother, Vilailuck (“Pepper”), frequently appears in cooking videos, bringing Thai comfort dishes to millions of followers. Teigen’s father, Ron, stays mostly off camera but remains a supportive presence.
Associated With
- John Legend: Grammy-laden singer-songwriter and the other half of one of pop culture’s most beloved power couples.
- LL Cool J: Host of Lip Sync Battle, where Teigen’s quick one-liners became part of the show’s DNA.
- Tyra Banks & Sports Illustrated family: Teigen was part of the Swimsuit Issue lineage that Banks helped popularize, and she credits the franchise for opening doors early in her career.
- Chef Eric Ripert: The Michelin-starred chef who authored her TIME 100 essay, praising her knack for demystifying home cooking.
- Adeena Sussman: Co-author on the Cravings cookbooks, translating Teigen’s spontaneous, flavor-packed style into tested recipes.
