US model Chrissy Teigen has apologised to TV personality Courtney Stodden for bullying them online a decade ago. In 2011, Teigen allegedly sent Stodden messages on Twitter urging them to take their own life.
It was around the time that Stodden rose to fame as the 16-year-old bride of actor Doug Hutchison, who was 50 at the time of their wedding. Stodden accepted the apology but said it may just be an attempt at limiting damage to Teigen's reputation.
Teigen, who is married to singer John Legend, said she is now 'ashamed and completely embarrassed' of her actions a decade ago. She recently returned to Twitter after having taken a break due to being unable to handle the 'negativity' on the platform.
'Not a lot of people are lucky enough to be held accountable for all their past... [comments] in front of the entire world,' Teigen tweeted on Tuesday. 'I'm mortified and sad at who I used to be. I was an insecure, attention-seeking troll.'
Teigen added she will 'forever work' on being a better person and try not to let down her 13.6m followers again. The star claimed she had tried to contact Stodden privately, noting: 'I hope you [Stodden] can heal now knowing how deeply sorry I am.'
Stodden, who recently came out as non-binary, accepted the apology but questioned its sincerity and accuracy. 'I accept her apology and forgive her,' Stodden said. 'But the truth remains the same, I have never heard from her or her camp in private. In fact, she blocked me on Twitter.'
