Why John Legend and Chrissy Teigen Are Thinking About Leaving California for Good

John Legend and Chrissy Teigen are known for their glamorous Beverly Hills lifestyle, 

but recent natural disasters have them questioning whether California is still the right place for their family. In a candid interview with The Wall Street Journal, 

the 13-time Grammy winner opened up about the couple’s thoughts on relocating—possibly back to New York City—after experiencing the devastation of California’s latest wildfires.

California’s Wildfires Have Left a Lasting Impact

Legend, 46, revealed that last month’s catastrophic wildfires have left behind a sense of “collective trauma” for many Californians, including his own family. 

After witnessing the destruction firsthand, he and Teigen, 39, began to reconsider their long-term future on the West Coast.

“Chrissy and I have always considered returning to New York, where we once lived,” Legend shared. “We probably will, once our youngest ones grow up a bit.” The couple, who married in 2013, share four children: Luna, 8, Miles, 6, Esti, 2, and Wren, 1. While their move isn’t happening immediately, the recent disaster served as a wake-up call.

“Every time nature shows its wrath, we wonder if it’s time to head back east,” the Get Lifted singer admitted. “Who knows?”

A Close Call for the Legend-Teigen Family

Legend and Teigen’s decision to reconsider their living situation wasn’t just based on general concerns about wildfires—it was deeply personal. The couple and their children were away on vacation when the Palisades fire broke out in early January. They returned home on January 7, just hours before flames engulfed large parts of their city.

The sight of thick smoke and raging fires forced them to act fast. “The danger felt too close for comfort,” Legend recalled. That night, the family, along with their four dogs and pet bearded dragon, packed up and evacuated their $17.5 million Beverly Hills mansion. They sought refuge in a hotel in Carlsbad, a coastal city in Southern California.

Teigen took to social media to document the terrifying ordeal, sharing her fears with her millions of followers. “I was very scared,” she admitted.

The family stayed away from home for more than a week, waiting for the situation to stabilize. “Our home was safe, but many weren’t so fortunate,” Legend said. He acknowledged that the experience left a lasting impression, adding that the threat of future wildfires remains a constant worry.

A Possible Return to Their New York Roots

While they’ve built a life in Los Angeles, Legend and Teigen have deep ties to New York City. Before settling in Beverly Hills in 2020, the couple owned two lavish penthouses in Manhattan’s Nolita neighborhood.

The first unit, purchased for $9 million in 2018, was followed by a second one in 2020 for $7.7 million. The plan was to combine the two properties into one massive home, but they ultimately never went through with the renovation. Instead, they decided to sell both units for $18 million.

At the time, Legend explained the decision, saying, “We’ve realized that because of work and everything, we’re really mostly going to be in Los Angeles, so we’re going to focus our home-building energy and renovation energy on what we’re doing in LA.”

However, in his latest interview, he admitted that New York still holds a special place in his heart. “I miss it all the time,” he confessed. “New York is always going to be my favorite city.”

When Could the Move Happen?

While Legend and Teigen aren’t packing their bags just yet, it’s clear that the idea of leaving California is weighing on their minds. The wildfires have reminded them of the risks of living in the Golden State, and they’re now thinking ahead to what’s best for their growing family.

For now, they remain in Beverly Hills, but as their youngest children get older, don’t be surprised if the beloved celebrity couple makes their way back to the bustling streets of New York City.

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