Twitter Came at Chrissy Teigen for Her Therapist-Recommended Hobby, So She Fired Back
Karwai Tang, Getty Images
On January 16th, Chrissy Teigen alerted her Twitter followers that she has taken up a new hobby—horseback riding. Being the open and honest idol she is, Teigen disclosed that horseback riding was actually her therapist's suggestion, as a way to get back into a healthy mentality post-pregnancy loss. But the way she phrased her announcement made some people cry "tone deaf," so Teigen had no choice but to explain herself.
"My therapist says I need something I do for just me, as I have absolutely nothing currently lol," Teigen wrote on the 16th. "Today begins my journey into the horse world. I hope this dude likes me, he's so handsome and appears lazy, I love."
Though many fans were excited for Teigen to jump into the world of horseback riding in 2021, others dwelled on her statement "I have absolutely nothing," because, they argued, in comparison to a lot of people struggling to get by during the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Teigen has more than enough.
My therapist says I need something that I do for just me, as I have absolutely nothing currently lol. Today begins my journey into the horse world. I hope this dude likes me 😩 he’s so handsome and appears lazy, I love pic.twitter.com/1Ytejb4L6J
— chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) January 16, 2021
"A lot of people are unemployed and struggling to feed their family in the midst of a pandemic," one Twitter user's response read. "Maybe now isn't a great time to say you 'have nothing' so you bought a horse to entertain yourself." Another user wrote, "'Absolutely nothing' is clearly a matter of perspective, I guess."
A lot of people are unemployed and struggling to feed their family in the midst of a pandemic. Maybe now isn't a great time to say you "have nothing" so you bought a horse to entertain yourself.
— Lady Long Limbs (@ladylonglimb) January 17, 2021
"Other people's nothing's sure seem a lot darker and inescapable right now," they continued. "The 'let them eat cake' inability to read a room is tiring."
“Absolutely nothing” is clearly a matter of perspective, I guess. Other people’s nothing’s sure seem a lot darker and inescapable right now. The “let them eat cake” inability to read a room is tiring.
— KS (@KevSpilker) January 16, 2021
Generally, there was disappointment in the forum, and though the naysayers' concern is warranted, in actuality, they simply misread the original tweet.
Wow, must be nice to have so much money to go buy a horse just to end up neglecting it. Goals
— Maranduhh (@marandarightz) January 16, 2021
People are dying, ma'am.
Read the room.— Valkyrie Thunderbitch (@ValkyrieLadyK) January 16, 2021
Teigen hopped back on Twitter on the 17th to respond to the backlash, saying that "a lot of u really misinterpreted this tweet and I guess that's on me."
"I didn't say I have nothing, I said I have nothing I do for just me," she continued. "A convo with a therapist. A hobby. Cause I lost a baby. And I'm figuring myself out. And i didn't buy a horse. But oh my god, what if I did?"
a lot of u really misinterpreted this tweet and I guess that’s on me. I didn’t say I have nothing, I said I have nothing I do for just me. A convo with a therapist. A hobby. Cause I lost a baby. And I’m figuring myself out. And i didn’t buy a horse. But oh my god, what if I did? https://t.co/AYKI37VicV
— chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) January 18, 2021
The replies under Teigen's explanation were incredibly supportive, with moms giving her massive kudos for taking time out of her day to do something for herself (although she is getting Luna involved in horseback riding, too, as she shared on Instagram).
There was nothing confusing about your tweet. At all. This is just Twitter gaslighting, which I hate. Every working Mom needs something just for us. Too few us recognize it. Don’t forget your helmet when you ride!
— Sherrilyn Ifill (@Sifill_LDF) January 18, 2021
As a father who has watched his wife experience what you have, I pray you read this message:
Do whatever it takes. Do not clarify yourself for anyone. “Public figure” does not make anything you went through better so don’t let anyone make you heal or grieve different.— Falú The Kingdom (@tonycentrino) January 18, 2021
A lot of us DIDN’T misinterpret your tweet and we think it’s awesome. There’s a big community of mom riders here (some incredibly accomplished... others... um.. going a lil slower!) congrats on your new hobby. As a mom of four I can tell you—it’s great to have your own thing!
— Soledad O'Brien (@soledadobrien) January 18, 2021
lol I know. We talked about that today too. I was like “whoops, of course” haha
— chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) January 18, 2021
But some followers remained firmly planted in the opposite camp, noting that they still take issue with Teigen flaunting her privilege online.
Here’s thought for ya...stop sharing everything on social media and then they will stop misinterpreting it. You don’t need to share every little detail of your life, not all of us care. Food for thought!
— Jenny Fitzgerald (@itsjustjenny7) January 18, 2021
Lots of people have lost so much this past year. Your loss is profound. But you still have more than most could ever dream of. And you tweet about yourself all the time so am not computing your not having “me time”. I mean, c’mon.
— Meredith Ogilvie-Thompson (@motoutofafrica) January 18, 2021
Luckily, there's an easy solution for this—don't follow her. Teigen's loss is one that is no parent should ever have to go through, and if she finds solace in sharing her new hobbies with her followers online, then let her do it. Her life and her choices do not affect us, therefore, haters, feel free to step right off.