(Culture)

Chrissy Teigen Has A Few Powerful Words On The Modeling Industry

by Samantha McDonald
Alberto E. Rodriguez

Chrissy Teigen, Twitter’s national treasure and a woman never afraid to share her opinions, has spoken her mind on everything from stretch marks to the electoral college. So when given an opportunity to discuss her wildly successful modeling career, the Sports Illustrated bombshell brought up a subject that’s often raised eyebrows in the industry: inclusion. In an interview with E! News at the 2017 SI Swimsuit Issue launch party, the model reflected on the lack of diversity in film and fashion, particularly among Asian models. (Chrissy is of Thai, German and Norwegian descent.)

“I think it’s really important to start embracing people…seeing them in roles that are not necessarily ‘that Asian girl’ or ‘that Asian boy,'” she said. “I want it to be a normal thing to be able to see Asian models, and I think Asian models are really underrepresented in the industry, especially on the runways or in magazines.”

Chrissy also addressed the controversial practice of whitewashing, especially after New York Fashion Week’s notably diverse atmosphere. “I personally am not offended by cultural appropriation of any sort because I feel like it does pay homage, but at the same time there are a lot of beautiful, beautiful, beautiful Asian women that could do the same thing,” she said.

Preach, girl.