John Legend slams friend over Chrissy Teigen’s anniversary post, years after wife criticized their ‘romantic relationship’

R&B singer John Legend, 45, celebrated his eleventh wedding anniversary with model Chrissy Teigen, 38, by posting on social media to mark the occasion.

“Anniversary date with my lover/best friend/wife. I’m so happy I met you 18 years ago. I’m so happy we said “I do” 11 years ago. I’m ready to do this for the rest of my life,” Legend wrote within the Instagram caption.

Family friend Jen Atkin, 44, he commented under a photograph of Legend’s wife, which reads: “You’re lucky you managed to snag this beautiful Thai legend @chrissyteigen.”

Atkin also directed a comment on the “All of Me” singer. She jokingly wrote, “You ready to do this for life NOW???” Legend responded, “I always start with the s—.”

Other Instagram users responded to Atkin and Legend’s online exchange, with one complaining: “You took THIS from this beautiful post. I wish a man loved me like that.”

Another said: “Of course he’s friends with them and just jokes around.”

However, many individuals on Legend’s Instagram page took the complete exchange with Jen Atkin as friendly teasing.

“She’s one of their best friends,” a commenter noted of Atkin. One joked: “Let’s be glad it only took 18!!! Johnnnn.”

Another person tagged Legend and replied, “Love this! Imagine having a full-on wife!” However, one other Instagram account tagged Atkin and wrote, “Better late than never, John says.”

In June 2022 Okay! published an article about Teigen’s friendship with Atkin. The British publication cited a light-hearted conversation from the “Chrissy’s Court” star’s ceremonial dinner.

Atkin apparently began recording videos at Tiegen and Legend’s home during a social gathering. Legend reportedly asked the OUAI hair care line owner, “Are you serious?” She replied, “I swear to God.”

Tiegen captured the moment between her husband and friend on her Instagram Story. Her caption read, “Did I just catch a romantic connection?”

Legend met Teigen while filming the music video for “Stereo” in 2006. The couple announced their engagement in December 2011, and their wedding took place on September 14, 2013, in Como, Italy.

The couple has 4 children: daughter Luna Simone Stephens (8 years old), son Miles Theodore Stephens (6 years old), daughter Esti Maxine Stephens (1 yr old) and one-year-old son Wren Alexander Stephens.

“Happy anniversary to my favorite person on the entire planet. Thank you for loving me and our family so completely. Thank you for being my partner and my best friend,” Teigen said on Instagram.

“18 years together. 11 years married. 4 kids. 4 dogs. 2 hairless cats. A bearded dragon. A house full of love and fun. We are so happy. I love you, honey!” she continued.

Celebrities like Octavia Spencer, Taraji P. Henson and Kerry Washington congratulated the couple on their eleventh wedding anniversary within the Legend comments section.

Atkin, meanwhile, has been married to 47-year-old photographer Mike Rosenthal since 2016. They have two children: 3-year-old River Julien Rosenthal and 2-year-old Sloane Soleil Rosenthal.

Rosenthal and Legend teamed as much as launch the restaurant discovery app It’s Good. In addition to their business partnership, their friendship goes back greater than a decade.

“We met through our wives and quickly became friends. We quickly realized that we shared a love of mathematics, travel, and Italian food,” Rosenthal revealed in a 2024 Forbes interview

He added: “Our families travel the world together frequently and share a passion for discovering unique gastronomic destinations.”