Chrissy Teigen Uncovers Surprising Truths About Her Family Roots

Chrissy Teigen recently uncovered a fascinating piece of her ancestry: she is part Roma. The 39-year-old model and television personality appeared on the PBS genealogy series Finding Your Roots, where she delved into her family’s history.

In a clip from the January 28 episode, host Henry Louis Gates Jr. revealed the surprising discovery. “They’re traditionally itinerant people who lived all over Europe for centuries. You are part Roma,” Gates told her. “Wow, that’s so cool. I love it!” Teigen exclaimed, visibly delighted by the revelation.

Teigen, who shares four children—Luna, 8, Miles, 6, Esti, 2, and 19-month-old Wren—with their husband John Legend, learned more about her ancestors’ way of life. Gates explained that Roma people often lived on the outskirts of larger communities, pursuing trades such as music and traveling with their families to entertain others.

However, the path her ancestors followed was not without challenges. Gates noted the harsh realities of being Roma, saying, “It was rough to be a Roma. For centuries, they were discriminated against and they were even persecuted, just like the Jews were in Europe.”

Teigen’s journey of self-discovery has been full of surprises. Last year, she underwent a DNA test as part of her participation in Finding Your Roots, but the process led to an amusing misunderstanding. In a video shared on Instagram, Teigen recounted how the test initially suggested she had an identical twin. “So, let me tell you guys about my past insane 24 hours,” she began.

After completing the DNA test, she received a notification that she had a match with an identical twin. “I was spiraling!” Teigen recalled. “I text my f****** doctor and at this point, I was talking to a robot on 23andMe like it wasn’t a robot.”

Her confusion was finally cleared up when her sister reminded her about her participation in the PBS show. Producers had placed the DNA results under false names to maintain anonymity, which led to Teigen unknowingly “matching herself.”

“My identical twin…was myself,” she humorously admitted, adding that the incident was a mix-up related to the show’s production process.

With this new chapter of her ancestry revealed, Teigen embraces her heritage and the journey it represents. Her Finding Your Roots episode not only highlights her personal discoveries but also sheds light on the rich history and struggles of Roma communities throughout Europe.