John Legend and Chrissy Teigen Pledge a $200,000 Donation to the Time's Up Defense Fund

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend donate six figures on behalf of the gymnasts who were sexually abused by former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar.

Model Chrissy Teigen and John Legend at the Clive Davis and Recording Academy Pre Grammy Gala.
Getty

Image via Lester Cohen/Getty Images

Model Chrissy Teigen and John Legend at the Clive Davis and Recording Academy Pre Grammy Gala.

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend have combined their star power, and their wallets, for a major cause. The beloved couple donated a whopping $200,000 to the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund on behalf of the gymnasts who were victims of sexual abuse from doctor Larry Nassar, according to PeopleOver 150 women and girls claim to have been abused by Nassar, including Olympic medalists Aly Raisman, Simone Biles, McKayla Maroney and Gabby Douglas.

Teigen in particular has been outspoken about the case. After Maroney said that she could face a $100,000 fine if she broke her NDA by recounting the abuse at Nassar's sentencing, Teigen responded that she'd gladly pay the fine for her. USA Gymnastics later confirmed that they would not seek any money from Maroney for telling her story. Nassar, 54, was sentenced to 40 to 175 years after pleading guilty to criminal sexual conduct.

The Time's Up Legal Defense Fund was launched in early January 2018 with a goal of providing subsidized legal support to women and men who have experienced sexual harassment, assault, or abuse in the workplace. So far, the cause has raked in million-dollar donations from A-listers like Steven Spielberg, J.J. Abrams, and Mark Wahlberg. Meryl Streep, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, and Shonda Rhimes each donated $500,000, while Taylor Swift and Oprah Winfrey chipped in with $100,000 each.

Teigen and John Legend have a history of charity work. In April 2017, the 32-year-old model sent one of her followers, aspiring beauty school student named Mercedes Edney, $5,000 via GoFundMe to pay off her school tuition while writing, "I'm really excited for you to live out your passion." In similar fashion, John Legend donated $5,000 to help the Seattle-area campaign to help erase school lunch debt.

Latest in Pop Culture