The Unforgettable High-Slit: 5 Shocking Details Behind Chrissy Teigen's Most Talked-About Dress Mishap

Chrissy Teigen has built a global brand on her candid humor, culinary success, and unapologetic realness, but few moments in her public life have generated as much immediate buzz and lasting conversation as her infamous "dress mishap" at the 2016 American Music Awards (AMAs). This incident, which occurred on November 20, 2016, involved a black gown with an extreme double-slit that exposed more than the model intended, instantly becoming a viral red carpet moment that defined the night.

The event remains a crucial part of the modern celebrity narrative, showcasing how Teigen's unique blend of high-fashion risk-taking and self-deprecating humor allows her to handle public scrutiny with grace and a well-timed joke. While the AMA 2016 incident is the most prominent, it is not her only red carpet challenge, as she has recently faced other minor wardrobe issues, proving that even a seasoned model can't always control the physics of high-end fashion.

Chrissy Teigen: Biography, Career Highlights, and Public Persona

Christine Diane Teigen, born on November 30, 1985, in Delta, Utah, is an American model, television personality, author, and entrepreneur who has successfully transitioned from the runway to a multifaceted media mogul. Her Thai and Norwegian ancestry contributes to her distinctive look, which first gained her recognition in the modeling world.

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• Born: November 30, 1985 (Age 40 as of late 2025)
• Spouse: John Legend (married 2013)
• Children: Four (Luna, Miles, Esti, Wren)
• Modeling Career: She made her professional debut in the early 2000s and gained widespread fame as a *Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue* model, appearing on the cover in 2014.
• Television Personality: Teigen co-hosted the hit show *Lip Sync Battle* (2015–2019) and served as a commentator on *FabLife* (2015–2016).
• Author and Entrepreneur: Her passion for food led to the creation of the *Cravings* cookbook series, which spawned a successful brand encompassing cookware, food products, and a website.
• Public Persona: Known for her highly candid and humorous presence on social media, she is celebrated for her transparency regarding motherhood, body image, and mental health struggles.

The Anatomy of the AMA 2016 Red Carpet Catastrophe

The dress mishap at the 2016 American Music Awards is a masterclass in how a single fashion choice can overshadow an entire event. The combination of a daring design, a lack of undergarments, and a moment of movement created a perfect storm for a viral scandal that continues to be discussed years later.

1. The Designer and The Extreme High Slit

The controversial garment was a custom black gown designed by Australian-based Saudi designer Yousef Akbar. The dress was a striking piece of high-fashion architecture, featuring a plunging neckline and two incredibly high slits that went up to her ribcage, held together only by a few safety pins.

Teigen, a veteran of the red carpet, was attempting to make a bold fashion statement, but the sheer height of the slits meant there was virtually no room for error. The design was inherently risky, requiring absolute stillness to maintain modesty, a feat nearly impossible while walking the red carpet and posing for a barrage of photographers.

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2. The "No Underwear" Fact and the Exposure

Due to the extreme nature of the cut, wearing traditional underwear, or even a thong, was not an option, as it would have been visible through the fabric. This decision meant that the only thing standing between Teigen and a major wardrobe malfunction was the precise placement of the fabric.

As she posed for the photographers, a slight shift in the fabric, combined with the wind and the angle of the cameras, led to a brief but complete exposure. The resulting images were immediately circulated online, turning the fashion moment into a sensational celebrity scandal. The incident was so extreme that it was widely referred to as flashing her "hooha" in her own subsequent apology.

3. Chrissy's Signature Humorous Apology

Instead of ignoring the controversy or issuing a stiff, formal statement, Teigen addressed the situation with her trademark self-deprecating humor. The day after the event, she posted a photo of the outfit on Instagram, thanking her glam squad and the designer, but adding a hilarious, to-the-point apology.

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Her exact words, which instantly went viral, were: "apologies to anyone harmed mentally or physically by my hooha."

She also acknowledged the impossibility of the situation, noting, "I was walking. It floated. It's over. I can't take it back." This response was widely praised for its honesty and for defusing the tension surrounding the controversial images, solidifying her reputation as a celebrity who is comfortable with her imperfections.

The Aftermath: Backlash, Support, and John Legend's Reaction

The AMA 2016 dress mishap triggered a massive public reaction, split between those who criticized her for the revealing outfit and those who defended her right to wear what she chose. The discussion became a flashpoint for conversations about body shaming, female autonomy, and the double standards applied to women in the public eye.

Clapping Back at the Shamers

While she offered a humorous apology, Teigen was quick to clap back at the critics who used the incident to shame her. She responded to comments that suggested she should have been more careful, often pointing out the impossible scrutiny celebrities face on the red carpet. Her refusal to be solely defined by the wardrobe malfunction was a powerful statement in the era of social media. The designer, Yousef Akbar, also publicly defended Teigen, supporting her bold choice and the spirit of the gown.

John Legend's Measured Response

Chrissy's husband, musician John Legend, who was her date that evening, also weighed in on the incident. When asked about the debacle, Legend was supportive, stating that he was focused on his wife and her beauty, not the momentary slip. His calm and supportive reaction further helped to normalize the incident, framing it as an accidental inconvenience rather than a deliberate act of indecency. His public defense was a key entity in the overall media narrative of the event.

More Recent Dress Mishaps: Showing Chrissy Teigen's Realness

While the 2016 AMA incident remains the most significant, Chrissy Teigen has experienced other, more minor dress mishaps in recent years, which she has also handled with characteristic transparency, reinforcing her image as a relatable star.

The most recent notable incident occurred in late 2023 at the annual Baby2Baby Gala in Los Angeles. While wearing a stunning black, floor-length gown, Teigen suffered a minor but annoying wardrobe malfunction when the zipper on her dress came undone. She immediately shared a photo of the broken zipper on her Instagram Story, laughing it off and showing the reality of dressing for a major event.

Additionally, she has been photographed dealing with issues in a sheer gown and other high-slit dresses, proving that the challenges of high-fashion and the glam squad are a constant reality for a model of her stature. These events, though less dramatic than the AMA incident, add to her topical authority on the subject of fashion risks, wardrobe malfunctions, and maintaining a sense of humor in the face of public scrutiny.

The legacy of the AMA 2016 dress is not one of shame, but of a celebrity who took a bold fashion risk, owned the consequences, and used a moment of controversy to connect with her audience through honesty and wit. This approach has cemented her status as a beloved, unfiltered media personality and a true icon of modern celebrity culture.