Chrissy Teigen’s College Admissions Joke: From Twitter Hiatus to Hospitality School Humor
After a brief but notable absence from social media, Chrissy Teigen has made her triumphant return to Twitter, immediately showcasing her signature wit and playful, often boundary-pushing, humor. This time, her comedic target was none other than Lori Loughlin, the actress at the heart of the infamous college admissions scandal. Teigen, a successful cookbook author, television personality, and entrepreneur, openly shared her aspirations of attending hospitality school. However, she lightheartedly expressed concerns about her qualifications, specifically referencing her lack of SAT scores and her age. In a move that quickly went viral, Chrissy quipped that she might have to resort to “Lori Loughlin” methods to secure her admission, alluding to the former Full House star’s high-profile involvement in a scheme to fraudulently get her daughters into college.
I wanna go to hospitality school. I am old and didn’t take my SATs. How does this work now? How do you get into school? Do I have to Laurie Laughlin photoshop myself being hospitable
— chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) April 27, 2021
Chrissy’s Tweet and the Context of Her Humor
Chrissy Teigen’s tweet, “I wanna go to hospitality school. I am old and didn’t take my SATs. How does this work now? How do you get into school? Do I have to Laurie Laughlin photoshop myself being hospitable?” (where she later corrected the spelling of ‘Lori’), perfectly encapsulates her candid and often self-deprecating humor. Her questions about the college application process, particularly for non-traditional students or those who haven’t taken standardized tests like the SATs, resonated with many. The punchline, however, unequivocally pointed to Lori Loughlin, drawing a direct, albeit satirical, parallel to the scandal that shook the world of higher education. This joke quickly became a topic of discussion, highlighting Teigen’s ability to engage with current events and popular culture in a way that feels both topical and genuinely funny to her vast audience.
Teigen’s decision to specifically reference Loughlin’s methods for college admissions speaks volumes about the lingering public memory of the “Operation Varsity Blues” scandal. The incident involved wealthy parents using bribery and fraud to secure their children’s entry into elite universities. By suggesting she might need to “photoshop myself being hospitable” in the style of Loughlin’s alleged fake rowing photos, Teigen brilliantly lampooned the perceived absurdity and privilege involved in the admissions scheme. This type of sharp, observational humor has long been a hallmark of Chrissy Teigen’s public persona, endearing her to millions who appreciate her unfiltered takes on life, celebrity, and everything in between.
The Infamous Lori Loughlin College Admissions Scandal Unpacked
The scandal Teigen referenced involved Lori Loughlin and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, who were prominent figures caught in the extensive college admissions bribery scheme. In 2020, Loughlin pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud for her significant involvement in the USC college admissions scandal. Her legal journey culminated in a two-month prison sentence, which she served at the end of the year, being released just before 2021. The scandal’s details, widely publicized, painted a picture of a calculated effort to manipulate the system for personal gain.
Lori and Mossimo were accused of orchestrating a payment of $500,000, cleverly disguised as a donation, to facilitate their two daughters’ — Olivia Jade Giannulli and Isabella Giannulli — acceptance into the University of Southern California (USC). The fraudulent scheme involved presenting their daughters as recruits for the USC crew team, despite neither Bella nor Olivia having any prior training or genuine plans to participate in competitive rowing. This deception highlighted the lengths to which some parents would go to ensure their children’s entry into prestigious institutions, bypassing legitimate merit-based admissions processes. Mossimo Giannulli also faced legal repercussions, serving his prison sentence, which commenced in November 2020 and concluded on April 16, 2021, just days before Teigen’s tweet. The ripple effects of this scandal were felt far and wide, sparking conversations about privilege, ethics, and fairness in higher education admissions across the nation.
Chrissy Teigen Joins a Chorus of Celebrity Satire
Chrissy Teigen is certainly not the first public figure to poke fun at Lori Loughlin’s controversial involvement in the college admissions scandal. The incident has provided ample material for celebrity commentary, reflecting broader public sentiment. Back in March, reality television personality Brandi Glanville also took a clear, albeit unnamed, jab at Loughlin. Glanville proudly announced that her son, Mason, had been accepted into the University of Southern California – the very institution central to Loughlin’s scandal. In her celebratory tweet, Glanville made a distinct point of emphasizing Mason’s genuine achievement, stating, “Amazing news. My son got accepted to the University of Southern California and I didn’t even have to fake any rowing pictures or bribe anyone.” While Loughlin’s name was deliberately omitted, the reference was unmistakable, making it a powerful and widely understood dig at the actress. These instances of celebrity commentary underscore the public’s continued fascination with the scandal and the willingness of stars like Teigen and Glanville to use their platforms for humorous, yet pointed, social commentary.
The collective celebrity response, often laced with satire, highlights a common thread: a perceived injustice regarding privilege and access to elite institutions. Both Teigen and Glanville, through their distinct comedic styles, managed to articulate a sentiment shared by many who felt that the scandal exposed a deeply flawed system. Their jokes serve not only as entertainment but also as a form of social critique, demonstrating how public figures can shape and reflect popular opinion on significant events.
Chrissy’s Return to Twitter: A Welcome Comeback for Fans
Beyond the humor, Teigen’s tweet marked a significant moment for her loyal fanbase, as it signaled her full return to Twitter after a brief but impactful hiatus. Chrissy had famously left the platform at the end of March, citing the immense toll that constant negativity and online interactions were taking on her mental well-being. At the time, she eloquently explained her departure: “The platform no longer serves me positively as it does negatively, so with that I bid you adieu. It’s not the platform. It’s not the bullying. It’s not the trolls. The trolls I can deal with, although it weighs on me. It’s just me. I have come to terms with the fact that some people aren’t going to like me. I hate letting people down or upsetting people and I feel like I just did it over and over.”
Her departure sent shockwaves through her online community, as many had come to appreciate her authentic and engaging presence. However, it quickly became apparent that Teigen couldn’t stay away from the platform that had been so integral to her public persona for so long. Less than one month later, on April 16, she reactivated her account, much to the delight of her followers. Her prompt return to her characteristic humor, exemplified by the Lori Loughlin joke, demonstrated that while she may need breaks, her candid and witty voice is intrinsically linked to the Twitter sphere. Her ability to quickly re-engage with her audience and dive back into topical, often controversial, discussions reaffirmed her status as one of social media’s most compelling and authentic celebrity voices.
This cycle of leaving and returning highlights the complex relationship many celebrities have with social media. While it offers a direct line to fans and a platform for personal expression, it also exposes them to an unprecedented level of scrutiny and negativity. For Chrissy Teigen, Twitter has always been a vital outlet for her quick wit, her personal anecdotes, and her engaging personality. Her latest joke about hospitality school and the college admissions scandal is a testament to her enduring ability to connect with an audience hungry for relatable, humorous, and sometimes provocative content, proving that even after a break, her unique comedic style remains as sharp as ever.