Naveed
Chrissy Teigen doesn’t identify with any organized religion, but faith still shows up in her life in specific, sourced moments — from a Buddhist monk ceremony she held for her late son to her own admission that she’s “not good with the Bible.” Her background blends a Thai mother and a Norwegian-American father, neither of which she’s described practicing as a formal creed for herself.
| Religion | No organized religion; has said Jesus “isn’t shaping” her beliefs |
| Mother’s Background | Vilailuck “Pepper” Teigen, born in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand |
| Father’s Background | Ron Teigen Sr., American electrician of Norwegian descent |
| Notable Event | Held a Buddhist monk-led memorial ceremony for son Jack in 2021 |
| Spouse | John Legend, raised Baptist, now describes himself as non-religious |
A Thai Buddhist Mother and Norwegian-American Father
Chrissy Teigen’s mother, Vilailuck “Pepper” Teigen, grew up in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, later moving to the U.S. after marrying Chrissy’s father in the early 1980s, according to the South China Morning Post. Her father, Ron Teigen Sr., is an American electrician of Norwegian descent.
That Thai side of the family connects to Buddhism in a concrete way: when Chrissy and John Legend lost their son Jack in 2020, they marked his first anniversary the following year with a Buddhist ceremony at their home, with monks leading prayers and chants, as reported by Aceshowbiz and TMZ. Outside that ceremony, there’s no publicly confirmed statement from Chrissy calling herself Buddhist.
What She’s Said About Not Practicing Organized Religion
Teigen has been direct about not aligning with organized religion. In January 2017, after a follower asked whether “Jesus is shaping your personal culture,” Teigen replied on Twitter, “Jesus isn’t shaping my anything,” a response covered by the Christian Post.
In 2018, while visiting John Legend on the set of NBC’s “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert,” Teigen tweeted, “I uh, am not good with the Bible,” a line picked up by Fox News. Legend himself, raised Baptist, has said in interviews that he now considers himself non-religious as an adult, while still crediting his upbringing for instilling a “moral compass.”
Raising Kids Without a Set Faith
There’s no publicly confirmed report of Teigen and Legend enrolling their four children in any religious education or committing to raise them within a specific faith. Legend has said in interviews, including on the “Identified” podcast, that their focus is on raising the kids to be good people rather than instruction tied to a creed.
The Buddhist ceremony held for their son Jack is the one instance where a specific religious tradition visibly entered the family’s life with the children present. Whether that reflects an ongoing practice or a one-time cultural and emotional choice tied to grief hasn’t been addressed publicly by either parent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Chrissy Teigen hold a Buddhist ceremony for her son Jack?
Yes. In 2021, she and John Legend held a Buddhist monk-led memorial at their home marking one year since losing their son Jack, as reported by Aceshowbiz and TMZ.
