Chrissy Teigen's Raw Honesty on Sobriety 'Mess Up' Sparks Outpouring of Support

Yahoo

16-05-2025

took to Instagram with a strikingly candid and emotional admission, revealing to her millions of followers that she has "let alcohol back into her life" after a period of sobriety. The heartfelt post, shared with a sense of "dread" ahead of a revealing podcast episode with sobriety author Holly Whitaker, has resonated deeply, igniting a wave of supportive messages and highlighting the often-complex journey of recovery.
In the vulnerable message, Teigen, 39, laid bare her internal struggle and the guilt of potentially letting people down. 'Oh man. I've been dreading today's podcast release since the moment we shot it," she began, referencing her discussion with Whitaker, whose book Quit Like a Woman Teigen credits with profoundly impacting her perspective on alcohol. "But to have to admit to all of you that I let it back into my life…to let a lot of you down, oh I feel it deeply. I was so proud every time one of you told me on the street that Holly and I made you want to rethink drinking, reframe drinking. I still am.'
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Teigen, who celebrated one year of sobriety in July 2022, has been notably open about her evolving relationship with alcohol. Her latest admission underscores the often non-linear path of recovery and the internal conflict that can accompany it. 'The truth is, I don't know what I'm doing," she confessed. "I one hundred percent know I like me better sober. I one hundred percent know I get more done, I absolutely feel better in my body without it. And I am one hundred percent pissed that I can't be normal and have a cocktail with my husband on vacay without it turning into 8 and feeling like shit."
The cookbook author and mother of four didn't shy away from the raw details of her struggles: "I'm tired of throwing up on a Tuesday. I don't wanna feel like I need a shot to talk to a crowd. I hate that the thought of maybe having a drink can consume me some days. So your rational mind is probably like 'OK THEN STOP, B---H!' and god, do I f---ing AGREE!"
Despite the "mess up," Teigen emphasized a shift in her perspective: "All I know is my relationship with the whole process of sobriety (and messing up) has changed for the better. I am deeply aware of where this can go if I let it. I guess my plan right now is to continue to be mindful with it." She celebrated sober moments of joy, like attending concerts and her children's birthday parties with clarity, adding, "Photos of my kid's birthday parties are no longer me with bleary, sleepy drinking eyes. And I am proud of that. But I still know my relationship with alcohol just isn't normal and never will be."
Teigen concluded her heartfelt post by thanking her followers for "allowing me to figure it out openly in front of you all," and offering a message of solidarity: "This is for all the people who are figuring it out. And to the sober community, god I am still so, so proud of you. Until we meet again.'The honest admission was met with a wave of support from fans and famous friends alike. Her husband, musician John Legend, commented, 'Always proud of you.' Actress Michelle Monaghan also offered her support, writing, 'Appreciate you so much @chrissyteigen'.
Many followers lauded Teigen's relatability. One person replied to her post, writing, 'This is one of the most relatable posts I've read in a while. So much pressure lately to go sober, or to buy totally in to drinking or wine mom culture. So many struggle with the in between and can that just be ok? We're all good enough just as we are, no matter what our battles.'
Another commenter empathized with the pressure of public accountability: 'I read that and my first thought was that you shouldn't have to feel that you're letting strangers down. That must be tremendously stressful. I hope you aren't so hard on yourself.'
The podcast episode in question, part of Teigen's Self-Conscious with Chrissy Teigen series released on May 15, features a discussion with Holly Whitaker about her Audible Original, 30 Days to Living Sober. Whitaker's work often focuses on a compassionate approach to rethinking one's relationship with alcohol, moving beyond an all-or-nothing mindset, which resonates with Teigen's current path of mindfulness.
Teigen's willingness to publicly navigate the complexities of her relationship with alcohol continues to foster important conversations about sobriety, societal pressures, and the deeply personal journey of self-discovery and healing. Her candidness provides a refreshing and relatable voice for many who find themselves "figuring it out."