Chrissy Teigen Says She Isn't 'Personally Offended' By Cultural Appropriation

Chrissy Teigen is not "personally offended" by cultural appropriation, but thinks the modeling industry could do a lot better when it comes to inclusion and representation.

The 31-year-old model is not the first person to voice this criticism, but in the week following that cringeworthy Karlie Kloss Vogue shoot, it seems particularly important to listen to Asian models' views on the industry.

Teigen spoke to E! News last Thursday at the Sports Illustrated Swim 2017 launch party, just a day after Vogue came under fire for cultural appropriation in its "diversity"-themed March issue.

(By "diversity," Vogue meant white model Karlie Kloss dressed like a geisha in yellow face.)

Teigen, who's mother is Thai, told E! she has mixed feelings on the concept of cultural appropriation.

She said,

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.

It might be less of a big deal for white people to pay homage to Asian culture if there was a fair representation of Asian models in the industry. Which, as Teigen points out, there definitely is not.

Teigen 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

And, she continued, it's not just about representation — it's about representation the right way. In other words, seeing Asian models as just models and not as stereotypes of Asian culture.

Teigen said,

I think its really important to start embracing people... seeing them in roles that are not necessarily 'That Asian Girl' or 'That Asian Boy.'

So basically, if we could just treat people like people, that would be great.

Teigen has spoken about the modeling industry's lack of diversity in the past. Last summer, she publicly criticized Miss Teen USA for its finalist lineup: five white blonde girls.

So let's get it together, modeling industry! You don't want Chrissy Teigen on your bad side. As the president has learned, she will destroy you with her tweets.