'I want it to be a normal thing to see Asian models!' Chrissy Teigen calls for more diversity in the fashion industry as she proudly promotes her latest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit shoot
- Chrissy, 31, is the daughter of a Thai mother and a Norwegian and German dad
- Spoke about representation at a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit launch last week
- Stars in this year's Swimsuit Issue, which has been heralded as its most diverse
- Said she wasn't offended by cultural appropriation because it was an 'homage'
Chrissy Teigen has made an impassioned plea for diversity in the fashion industry and elsewhere, saying she wants Asian models and actors to be cast in roles that aren't only about their race.
The 31-year-old, whose mother is Thai and whose father is of Norwegian and German descent, spoke out about representation last week during the launch of Sports Illustrated's latest Swimsuit Issue, which has been heralded as its most diverse edition ever.
Chrissy pointed out that many people don't think of her as Asian because she has a mixed heritage, but drew from her personal experience as a Thai woman as she called on the fashion and movie industries to feature Asian models more prominently.
Speaking out: Chrissy Teigen, made an impassioned plea for diversity in the fashion industry last week during the launch of Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue
Stunner: The 33-year-old, who appears in the latest issue of the hotly-anticipated publication, has a Thai mother and a Norwegian and German father
Happy families: Chrissy's mother Vilailuck is from Thailand
'I think its really important to start embracing people [and] seeing them in roles that are not necessarily 'That Asian Girl' or 'That Asian Boy,' 'she told E! News.
'Or seeing them in movies where you're like, 'Oh this Asian girl is dating this white guy'. I want it to be normal.
'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.'
She then gave her take on cultural appropriation, a hot topic in the fashion industry.
A recent occurrence included Vogue magazine's geisha-themed photo shoot with Karlie Kloss, which prompted such backlash that the model chose to apologize on Twitter.
Statement: '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,' the model said
Stand tall in thigh-high boots by Gianvito Rossi
She's featured in the latest issue of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and Chrissy Teigen stepped out for the launch party with her husband John Legend in tow.
The Thai/Norwegian model pulled out all of the stops for her red carpet appearance wearing a floral print kimono by Dries Van Noten along witha pair of Gianvito Rossi boots.
The thigh high stompers certainly made a statement with their lace-up design, peep toe silhouette and satin finish. They're bound to make any outfit truly unforgettable so if you've got wads of cash to spare, click right to buy them at Net-A-Porter.
But if you're after a bit more of a bargain, we've got plenty of options below from Ivy Kirzhner, Giambattista Valli, Boohoo and Vince Camuto.
Proud: Chrissy (pictured on the cover of Elle Australia), who speaks a little bit of Thai, has celebrated her Asian heritage in the past
Excited: The 31-year-old, who speaks a little bit of Thai, has celebrated her Asian heritage in the past, including in December 2015 when she landed the cover of Vogue Thailand (pictured)
Yummy: The model (pictured on the cover of Cosmopolitan) also spoke about her mother Vilailuck in her cookbook Cravings and devoted an entire chapter to her, titled 'Thai mom'
Not offended: Chrissy (pictured on the cover of Self) gave her take on cultural appropriation, a hot topic in the fashion industry, saying she viewed it as an homage
Big deal: The latest Swimsuit Issue has been heralded as the most diverse ever
Chrissy, however, had a more nuanced take on the subject.
'I personally am not offended by cultural appropriation of any sort because I feel like it does pay homage,' she said.
'But at the same time there are a lot of beautiful, beautiful Asian women that could do the same thing.'
She explained how proud she was to hear her mother tell her regularly that people in Thailand were excited to know Chrissy was in this year's swimsuit issue.
'I'm like "Oh my god, Thailand knows about me!'' ' she said. 'That's very cool. I love that.'
This year's Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue also features 63-year-old Christie Brinkley and her daughters, curvy models Hunter McGrady and Ashley Graham, and athletes Aly Raisman, Simone Biles, and Serena Williams.
Chrissi, who speaks a little bit of Thai, has celebrated her Asian heritage in the past, including in December 2015 when she landed the cover of Vogue Thailand.
'So proud and honored to have shot the cover of Vogue Thailand! Special to me for so many reasons... one being I am SO PROUD to be Thai,' she wrote on Instagram.
She also spoke about her mother Vilailuck in her cookbook Cravings and devoted an entire chapter to her, titled 'Thai mom'.
Chrissy has also spoken out against racism in the past, on one occasion reporting a shocking incident, when a man yelled a racial slur at her in Los Angeles.
'I dropped my sunglasses this AM on Santa Monica blvd and this seemingly normal looking dude screamed "F*****g chinks always dropping s**t," ' she wrote on Twitter in April 2015.
'Like that's not even a stereotype,' she added. 'Get your s**t together. What a bad racist.'
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