Chrissy Teigen apologises for 'tone-deaf and icky' joke about AirPods

Cookbook author says she doesn't 'ever forget people are struggling'

Chrissy Teigen apologises for 'tone-deaf' tweet (Getty)

Chrissy Teigen has apologised to her followers on Twitter after posting a “tone-deaf” tweet about Apple AirPods.

On Thursday, the model jokingly tweeted that her mother treats AirPods, which cost $150 (£117), like they are “disposable”.

“My mom treats her AirPods like they’re disposable,” she wrote. “Buys a few a month. She says they would be easier to not lose if they had… a cord.”

In response to the tweet, fans accused the 33-year-old of being “tone-deaf” and “out of touch with reality”.

“I can barely afford to read this tweet,” one person responded.

Another said: “Your privilege is showing.”

In response to the backlash, Teigen apologised for the tweet, which she said was meant as both a “joke and exaggeration,” before acknowledging that it came across as “icky”.

“Oh man I haven’t checked my mentions for a bit and I didn’t realise how many people were super pissed off about this,” Teigen wrote. “It was meant as a joke (and exaggeration) about how my mom doesn’t realise AirPods with a cord are headphones but it came across as super tone-deaf and icky.”

In a second tweet, Teigen reiterated her remorse over the joke, adding: “I promise I will not always say the right thing in the right way but I also promise I hate disappointing or pissing you guys off.

“I’m sorry and I will do better to not be such an a**hole.”

The TV presenter also responded to fans directly, and promised to continue trying to make tangible changes for the better outside the “Twitter world”.

In response to one follower who pointed out that Teigen and her husband John Legend lead lives “removed” from regular people, the cookbook author said that she “completely understands” and doesn’t ever forget that people are “struggling”.

“Completely understand and I don’t ever forget people are struggling,” she wrote. “All I can do is tangible things to help make a difference outside the Twitter world. It definitely showed that I’m a bit removed and I will do better as best I can.”

Teigen’s apology was liked more than 18,000 times and met with support from fans who appreciated her dedication to self-reflection and making things right.