Chrissy Teigen’s new tattoo slammed for ‘strong Holocaust vibes’
Chrissy Teigen debuted a new tattoo on Instagram Thursday evening, featuring a series of small numbers along the inside of her forearm.
The 33-year-old former model’s post contains a slideshow of three images with a closeup of the final ink depicted in the last one. It features five birthdays in a classic font, including 12/28/78 (husband John Legend’s), 4/14/16 (daughter Luna’s) and 5/16/18 (son Miles’).
Most reactions were positive. Legend commented, “The ultimate mnemonic device!” Journalist Yashar Ali wrote, “Omg wait I love this,” while comedian David Spade joked, “I use these lotto numbers, too. Small world.”
But for some people, the tattoo came across as insensitive. During the Holocaust, in a practice derided as dehumanizing, Jewish internees at concentration camps were tattooed by Nazis or their sympathizers with identification numbers.
“Yikes really strong Holocaust vibes,” wrote one critic on Teigen’s Instagram post.
Some fans wondered if the author and entrepreneur knew about the similarities between her tattoo and the ones inked without consent during the Holocaust.
“Chrissy, I love you,” one commenter said. “I just wish people were more aware of the connection to the Holocaust when they elect to get forearm tattoos of numbers.”
Deliberate or not, it still rankled Teigen’s followers. Wrote another follower: “I think this would make any Jewish person very uncomfortable even if unintentionally.”
Another detractor wrote, “Is anyone else a little bothered by the fact that she got a series of numbers on her forearm? Is the Holocaust really that far removed from our reality? Anyone??”
“Should have thought this one through,” chided yet another commenter.
Tattoo artist Daniel Winter, known as Winter Stone and tagged in Teigen’s photos of the new ink, has become a celebrity darling. Busy Philipps, Miley Cyrus and Hilary Duff all sport his designs, many of which feature delicate drawings or signatures along the inner forearm.
A request for comment to Teigen’s publicist was not returned before press time.