Courtney Stodden Stands Up For Chrissy Teigen Against Bullying

In an unexpected twist of events, Courtney Stodden is defending Chrissy Teigen against online bullying years after their highly publicized spat. The model and media personality made a comment on social media on August 15 after spotting Teigen in the trailer for season two of Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. According to Stodden, they had been inundated with messages inquiring about their thoughts on Teigen's cameo on the new cooking series. Confronting the speculation, the 30-year-old made clear their position in a tearful video. "I do not believe people should be bullying Chrissy," Stodden said. "Have we learned anything? Two wrongs do not make a right.."

It was a full-circle reflection for Stodden, who has felt the weight of public cruelty in context. They reminded followers of their own past battles with harsh criticism, such as when they were catapulted into the spotlight at 16 after marrying actor Doug Hutchinson. "Once upon a time, I was the punchline," added Stodden in their caption. "People told me to end my life. I was called names, mocked, bullied, not just by strangers, but by people with platforms." This blunt acknowledgment is a big reason Stodden felt pressure to come forward. While she had a rocky past with Teigen, Stodden said continuing the cycle of hatred helps no one. In these statements, she asks fans to engage critically with the culture of tearing down public figures, even those with complicated histories.

Read More: Rodney Mathews And Arielle Hermanson Tie The Knot In California

What's so powerful about Stodden's response is the acknowledgement of growth and empathy around what could have easily been a vile lingering bitterness. In adopting this compassionate approach, Stodden rewrites their story from one of victimhood to one of survivorship, offering Stodden's followers a lesson in forgiveness and strength. Chrissy Teigen's appearance in Meghan Markle's series was intended to bring a dose of warmth and relatability to the show, but it has also stirred up old headlines. However, Stodden's comment then shifts the conversation toward accountability, compassion, and the necessity, in general, of breaking cycles of meanness.

As bracing and occasionally unpleasant as that world can be, one of the things that makes the fallout between Stodden and Teigen special is just how adult it feels. In publicly supporting a person with whom they used to clash, Stodden shows that healing and empathy are still possible, even in Hollywood. At its heart, this message is not one of competition, but one of humanity. Forgiveness allows for empathy, which breeds understanding, and there is nothing more powerful, Stodden's statement tells us. Additionally, this potential ripples beyond us to affect how we treat others, both online and off.