Chrissy Teigen is once again at the center of an internet storm, this time over a video showing her in a bathtub filled with brown water. The video, initially shared by her husband, musician John Legend, on June 18, sparked a flurry of reactions online. In the clip, Legend asks Teigen, “What is happening here?” to which she responds, “I’m getting all my body makeup off,” while scrubbing her leg. Legend used the post to promote an exfoliating wash from his skincare line, Loved01, captioning it, “Sometimes you gotta exfoliate!” and tagging Teigen and her favorite Loved01 product.
The video quickly drew mixed reactions. Some viewers were puzzled and even disgusted by the color of the bathwater. Comments ranged from, “IDGAF if it is makeup, it looks dirty,” to, “She didn’t have to sit in a bathtub of water to exfoliate her body… yuck.” Others questioned the necessity of sharing such a personal moment on social media, with one user noting, “Not everything is meant for social media.”
Teigen, never one to shy away from addressing her critics, jumped into the comments to clarify. “The water is dirty because I’m getting my body makeup off, like I said in the video my sweet angels!” she wrote, a response that garnered over 12,000 likes. She also took to her own social media the following day to share the same video, captioning it, “Currently getting roasted online for being dirty because no one listened to the audio where I say I’m soaking off body makeup (to shower after!).” She added that there were “full blown fights in John’s comments,” and humorously noted, “My favorite is ‘baths are not for bathing.’ I love a good old fashioned roasting though, u guys are killing it (it being never touching grass ever).”
Legend also chimed in on her follow-up post, writing, “Baths are not for bathing is some amazing internet-ness.” The couple seemed to take the backlash in stride, even as the debate over the cleanliness of Teigen’s bathwater raged on.
A dermatologist previously told TODAY.com that showers are generally better for the skin than baths, as prolonged exposure to water can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to irritation and inflammation. This medical perspective, however, did little to quell the online uproar.
The incident is just the latest in a series of social media controversies for Teigen, who has often found herself at the center of public scrutiny. Despite the backlash, she and Legend appear to be enjoying their time in France for the Cannes Lions festival, making the most of their family outings.
Teigen and Legend, who married in 2011, have always been open about their personal lives, including their struggles and triumphs. They met in 2006 on the set of Legend’s “Stereo” music video, got engaged in 2011, and tied the knot two years later. The couple has since expanded their family, welcoming daughter Luna in 2016 and son Miles in 2018. Teigen announced her third pregnancy in 2020, but tragically lost their son Jack at 20 weeks due to complications.
Following their loss, Teigen and Legend have been candid about their grief and their journey to conceive again. In 2022, Teigen announced she was expecting their “rainbow baby,” and she gave birth to their second daughter, Esti, in January 2023. Less than six months later, the couple welcomed their son Wren Alexander via surrogate.
Teigen has often shared her experiences and emotions on social media, creating a bond with her followers but also opening herself up to criticism. Her recent bathwater video is a testament to the double-edged sword of social media fame, where every post can become a topic of intense public debate.
As the internet continues to dissect the video, Teigen and Legend remain focused on their family and their commitments. Legend recently revealed that they make it a point to have a staycation one night a month to reconnect and enjoy each other’s company away from their children. “If you don’t take those moments to reset, time can get away from you because you’re always going to have something to do,” he said at the Voices of Beauty Summit in March.
Despite the ongoing scrutiny, Teigen and Legend’s relationship and family life appear to be stronger than ever. Their ability to laugh off the criticism and continue sharing their lives with the public is a testament to their resilience and commitment to each other.
