Chrissy Teigen covers Marie Claire’s Fall Issue

The 34-year-old author, model, mother of two, and lifestyle entrepreneur opens up to Marie Claire about why she started going to therapy during quarantine, teaching her children about the trauma Black people are facing in the U.S., and who she and husband John Legend are voting for in 2020.

Teigen currently has a full plate running two companies: Cravings by Chrissy Teigen and Suit & Thai Productions, her production company, which has a first-look deal with Hulu, and the second season of Quibi series Chrissy’s Court with her mom, Pepper.

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On starting therapy during quarantine: “I didn’t start therapy until quarantine. I used to avoid it and make fun of the idea of it, and then I found the person and it changed my world. People think I’m tough, but I’m such an empath, and I take on other people’s pain and sadness as my own. And when I let people down, I’m hyperaware of it. Sometimes I feel like people aren’t going to be as hard on me as I am on myself. So, it’s good for me to take a break.”

On teaching her children about the violence and trauma Black people face: “There are books that I read when I became a mom that would explain to them hard and traumatic situations. But it’s really hard to teach them about their privilege; there are no books for that. But regardless of money or status, they’re always going to have their skin color. When it comes to them being treated differently because of the color of their skin, I’m going to look to John for a lot of help with that because while they are Asian and white too, their skin color is Black. We just try to talk to them like little adults, saying it in words they’ll understand, making it known that it’s very serious, and letting them ask as many questions as they need.”

On her and husband John Legend’s experience with racism in 2010: “We were in a nicer neighborhood at night, driving slowly, looking for John’s godmother’s home. These two guys were in a pickup truck slowly tailing us, flashing their lights and trying to speak to us. When we pulled over, they were like, ‘What are you guys looking for?’ and we gave them the address. They literally said, ‘Get your asses out of here!’ and proceeded to follow us all the way into her driveway. They got out of the car and stared at us as we knocked on the door and went inside. It was a terrible, scary experience.”

On who she’s voting for in 2020: “We are proud to stand behind Biden. We’re not only voting for Biden because it’s not Trump. We’re voting for him because we think he’s going to do an incredible job of bringing a bit of healing to the country. We are a divided, hurt nation that needs to be brought back together. [Biden is] someone who looks into issues with clear eyes, empathy, and under- standing from being involved in politics. I also look at a presidential candidate as someone I want my kids to be able to look up to. I don’t see that in Donald Trump or any of his family.”

On Biden’s choice of Kamala Harris as Vice President: “I could not be more thrilled about Biden’s VP pick! Women all over the world are seeing a piece of them in a woman of power, and that kind of influence is paramount in what we need to continue this future of badass women in politics. Between people like Kamala and AOC, I have more hope than ever.”

On her production company Suit & Thai’s partnership with Hulu will promote diversity and inclusion: “[Suit & Thai will] expand and diversify the hiring pool for below-the-line crew positions to include more women, people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ individuals so that the overall production team better reflects the broader community.”

On Hulu’s response to her ask: “They didn’t question it. The rooms on every show I work on will always look like this. I want to see women in power positions that men have held captive for so long.”

[Photo Credit: Lauren Dukoff/Marie Claire Magazine]

• Chrissy Teigen
• Editorials
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• Marie Claire