John Legend has opened up about how lockdown has made him and his wife Chrissy Teigen ‘stronger and brought us together’.
During a quarantine Zoom concert, in which he played songs from his upcoming album Bigger Love, John, 41, spoke candidly about the effects of lockdown.
The singer said: ‘We have spent long stretches of time together. We had long stretches where we didn’t talk before so I don’t think we’ve learned a lot about each other but we have learned a lot about parenting.
Candid: John Legend has opened up about how lockdown has made him and his wife Chrissy Teigen ‘stronger and brought us together’
‘It’s a more intense parenting experience than we’ve ever had. It’s made us stronger and brought us together.
‘It’s definitely a challenge to co-parent during these times.’
The Ordinary People singer also revealed that supermodel wife Chrissy, 34, doesn’t like to get too involved while he is creating a new album.
Opening up: During a quarantine Zoom concert, in which he played songs from his upcoming album Bigger Love, John, 41, spoke candidly about the effects of lockdown
He said: ‘Chrissy doesn’t like to get involved early on. She likes to hear it close to the finish line.
‘She gets ”demo-itis” if she hears it too early. She’d rather hear it when it’s almost done.’
While discussing what’s it’s like to be creating music amid a global health pandemic and in the midst of global anti-racism protests, John said: ‘It’s an interesting time to put out new music.
‘We see the ongoing pandemic and the loss of life and the uncertainty and concern that people have right now.
He said: ‘It’s a more intense parenting experience than we’ve ever had. It’s made us stronger and brought us together’
‘People are wondering is it OK for us to express joy and life. Lately, the images of black people in the media have been showing us with knees on our necks, in mourning, in anger.
‘It’s an album full of love, hope and resilience. That’s what the title means to me. I want people to be lifted by this album.
‘My first album was called Get Lifted. I sing about all sorts of things. I sing about pain, I sing about grief as well.’
When asked whether he thought the Black Lives Matter protests would inspire his future songwriting, John said: ‘I’m sure it will, it has in the past. Most famously with Glory. History keeps repeating itself.
Inspiration: When asked whether he thought the Black Lives Matter protests would inspire his future songwriting, John said: ‘I’m sure it will’
‘We have egregious examples of police abuse. Artists, a lot of times we are responding to activism and then in turn, we write music that helps fuel what they’re doing as well.
‘I’ve seen it with Glory (John’s song about racism and segregation), people marching with that song. It inspires me to keep making music.’
John and Chrissy are isolating in Los Angeles with their two children Luna Simone, four, and Miles Theodore, two.
The couple, who were married in 2013, have been homeschooling Luna and have taken to it well.
Adorable: John and Chrissy are isolating in Los Angeles with their two children Luna Simone, four, and Miles Theodore, two
John said: ‘She’s learning her letters, writing them out. I feel like she’s on the cusp of reading.
‘She’s very familiar with all the sounds. She’s doing pretty well with that stuff.
‘She’s an emotionally intelligent girl. I love hanging out with her. She’s an awesome little girl.’
John went on to call for a new president for the US and branded Donald Trump a ‘bigot’.
He said: ‘Well, President Trump is obviously a bigot and has been one his entire life.
‘We will always be weaker as a nation when he’s in charge. It’s an urgent priority that he is not in charge.’
Naturals: The couple, who were married in 2013, have been homeschooling Luna and have taken to it well