Chrissy Teigen’s Twitter Exit: Prioritizing Mental Well-being in the Digital Age
UPDATE (March 25, 2021): Chrissy Teigen Confirms Her Departure from Twitter
Just a day after her verified Twitter account vanished, Chrissy Teigen took to Instagram to officially confirm her much-discussed exit from the platform. In a detailed and heartfelt post, the model and cookbook author articulated her decision, stating, “It’s true! The platform no longer serves me as positively as it does negatively, so with that I bid you adieu.” This candid admission shed further light on the underlying reasons behind her abrupt departure, which had sent ripples across her vast online following and the broader social media landscape.
Teigen was quick to clarify that her decision was not an indictment of Twitter itself. She wrote, “But I want to say that this is absolutely NOT twitter’s fault – I believe they do all they can to combat relentless bullying, any honestly, it’s not the bullying!!” This statement might come as a surprise to many, given the common narrative surrounding celebrity social media exits. For years, Teigen’s Twitter presence had been a dynamic hub, cherished by comedy enthusiasts and fans who eagerly anticipated her witty remarks and honest insights. Her defense of the platform underscored a more nuanced struggle that goes beyond direct harassment.
Delving deeper into her personal journey, Chrissy revealed the extent of her engagement with the platform’s support teams. “You guys have no idea how much they’ve reached out and worked with my team and me personally,” she noted, reinforcing her belief that the issue wasn’t technical or a lack of effort from Twitter’s side. “It’s not the platform. It’s not the ‘bullying’. And it’s not the trolls. The trolls I can deal with, although it weighs on you. It’s just me,” she confessed with raw honesty. This powerful declaration shifted the focus from external aggressors to an internal struggle with the pressures of public life online.
Chrissy Teigen elaborated on the profound personal impact of constant scrutiny. “I have to come to terms with the fact some people aren’t gonna like me. I hate letting people down or upsetting people and I feel like I just did it over and over and over. Someone can’t read that they disappointed you in some way every single day, all day without physically absorbing that energy. I can feel it in my bones,” the mother of two explained, painting a vivid picture of the emotional toll that relentless online feedback, even if not overtly malicious, can take. Her words resonated with many who grapple with the psychological weight of digital interactions.
ORIGINAL REPORT (March 24, 2021): Chrissy Teigen Bids Farewell to Her Digital World
On Wednesday, March 24, 2021, the digital world paused as Chrissy Teigen, one of its most prominent and engaging personalities, announced her departure from Twitter before swiftly deleting her verified account. The 35-year-old penned a series of poignant messages to her nearly 13.7 million followers, explaining that the social media platform “no longer served” her “positively.” Her exit marked the end of an era for many fans who had come to rely on her for humor, relatability, and unvarnished commentary.
In her initial thread, Teigen expressed immense gratitude for the community she had built over a decade. “Hey. For over 10 years, you guys have been my world. I honestly owe so much to this world we have created here. I truly consider so many of you my actual friends,” she wrote, emphasizing the deep connection she felt with her audience. This sentiment highlighted the paradox of her decision: a platform that had fostered genuine connections was also, paradoxically, causing her immense distress.
She posted a long thread then deactivated shortly after. pic.twitter.com/FFsGDfw9TC
— Kenneth Uhlir (@KenUhlir) March 25, 2021
The core of her decision, as she articulated it, was a re-evaluation of her digital well-being. “But it’s time for me to say goodbye. This no longer serves me as positively as it serves me negatively, and I think that’s the right time to call something,” the Cravings author continued. She shattered the public perception of her as the “strong clap back girl,” a persona she admitted was not her true self. “I’ve always been portrayed as the strong clap back girl but I’m just not. My desire to be liked and fear of pissing people off has made me somebody you didn’t sign up for, and a different human than I started out here as!” she candidly explained. This revelation resonated deeply with many, exposing the facade often maintained by public figures online.
Teigen’s message served as a powerful reminder about the weight of online interactions. “I encourage you to know and never forget that your words matter. No matter what you see, what that person portrays, or your intention. For years I have taken so many small, 2-follower count punches that at this point, I am honestly deeply bruised,” she wrote, highlighting the cumulative effect of seemingly minor negative comments. It wasn’t just major controversies, but the constant trickle of criticism, however small, that ultimately wore her down. This profound statement underscored the often-unseen emotional labor involved in maintaining a prominent social media presence.
Chrissy Teigen deleting her account is just one more example of cyber bullying being fun and cool pic.twitter.com/omnTkWYeB4
— Brizzle Bill (@Brizzleboybill) March 25, 2021
She also acknowledged her own past mistakes, recognizing that her journey on Twitter had been one of learning and public accountability. “I have made my mistakes, throughout years and in front of hundreds of thousands, and been held accountable for them. I’ve learned an incredible amount here…God I have said f—– up s— and killed myself over it as much as you killed me. But one thing I haven’t learned is how to block out the negativity,” she concluded with a “<3.” This poignant admission revealed the internal struggle she faced, unable to shield herself from the relentless barrage of criticism and judgment, regardless of its source or intent. Her honesty in acknowledging her imperfections, juxtaposed with her vulnerability to online negativity, painted a complex picture of a public figure navigating an unforgiving digital landscape. Her departure followed a previous “break” from Twitter last fall, after her heartbreaking miscarriage, suggesting a pattern of seeking respite from the platform during periods of personal vulnerability.
The Complex Legacy of Chrissy Teigen’s Twitter Persona
While Chrissy Teigen garnered widespread recognition for her quick wit and online humor, her journey on social media was also punctuated by various high-profile dramas and feuds. Her online personality, often lauded for its authenticity and sharp clapbacks, simultaneously placed her at the center of controversies that contributed to the cumulative stress she described. One of the most notable instances was her notorious blocking by then-President Donald Trump after she publicly challenged him. Her unblocking from the @POTUS account when Joe Biden was elected became a widely celebrated moment, showcasing her political engagement and influence.
Beyond political sparring, Teigen also faced public disagreements with other prominent figures. She engaged in notable feuds with media personality Piers Morgan, known for his provocative commentary, and acclaimed food writer Alison Roman, author of the NYT bestsellers Nothing Fancy and Dining In. These incidents, while part of the celebrity news cycle, underscore the constant pressure and scrutiny that come with such a public digital life. Each conflict, each critical tweet, added to the emotional weight she carried, making her “deeply bruised” feeling understandable.
The Alison Roman Controversy: A Turning Point in Her Social Media Journey
The feud with Alison Roman in June 2020 was particularly illustrative of the complexities Chrissy faced. Roman seemingly criticized Teigen for having “people running a content farm for her” and launching a Target line, implying a lack of authenticity or genuine effort in Teigen’s burgeoning Cravings empire. This critique deeply affected Teigen, prompting a powerful response. “This is a huge bummer and hit me hard,” Chrissy responded, expressing her shock and disappointment. She elaborated on her long-standing admiration for Roman’s work, stating, “I have made her recipes for years now, bought the cookbooks, supported her on social and praised her in interviews. I even signed on to executive produce the very show she talks about doing in this article.” The incident highlighted the intensely personal nature of public criticism, especially when it targets one’s professional endeavors and perceived authenticity. In the wake of this particular controversy, the wife of John Legend made the significant decision to temporarily take her Twitter account private, a clear indicator of the emotional toll such public confrontations had on her. These moments, compounded over time, solidified the growing negative balance she felt on the platform.
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Beyond Twitter: Chrissy Teigen’s New Ventures and the Path to Digital Peace
While Chrissy Teigen steps away from the demanding world of Twitter, her professional life continues to thrive and expand into new, more constructive avenues. In addition to running her highly successful Cravings empire, which includes cookbooks, cookware, and a popular website, she recently added “cleaning maven” to her impressive resume. This new endeavor involves the launch of Safely, a premium plant-based cleaning and self-care line, co-founded with business powerhouses Kris Jenner, 65, and Good American’s Emma Grede. This venture represents a stark contrast to the often-toxic environment of social media, offering Teigen a new outlet for creativity and connection that is rooted in tangible product development and positive brand building.
Explaining the inspiration behind Safely, Chrissy highlighted her personal need for effective, yet safe, household products. “I couldn’t find products out there that I loved and that also cleaned as well as these old-school products did,” she explained. “So when we started talking about Safely, it seemed like such a no-brainer to create premium products that actually work and are more accessible.” The line, featuring six core products including a universal cleaner, laundry detergent, and hand sanitizer, underscores her continued commitment to developing accessible, high-quality offerings for her audience. This pivot towards a more grounded, product-focused enterprise may offer Chrissy Teigen a different kind of fulfillment, one less susceptible to the immediate and often harsh judgments of the online public sphere. Her decision to leave Twitter, therefore, isn’t just an act of withdrawal, but perhaps a strategic reallocation of her energy towards endeavors that better serve her personal and professional well-being, paving the way for a more peaceful and productive digital existence on her own terms.