Model Winnie Harlow has defended herself after receiving backlash for dressing as iconic singer Whitney Houston for Halloween.
The Canadian model, who came to fame on America’s Next Top Model, 31, dressed in homage to the late singer this weekend.
The star wore a wig, a thick sparkly choker and a grey dress, emulating the icon’s look when she attended the 2001 BET Awards.
‘Youuu betta Lay Low! 👉🏽 One of my favorite iconic Whitney moments 😭😂,’ Winnie captioned the post which showed her dancing and miming the words spoken by Whitney while on stage.
During the 2001 awards, concern for Whitney’s well-being and drug usage was sparked due to her erratic presence on stage.
This negative connection with this look left some Houston fans feeling as though this perhaps wasn’t the best way to honour the singer who died in 2012 aged 48, from accidental drowning, with cocaine use and heart disease as contributing factors.
Fans took to the comment section of Winnie’s post, calling the move ‘tone deaf’ and ‘disresepectful’ to the late singer’s memory.
‘Don’t know how to feel about this. I’m giving it thumbs down 👎🏾 RIP Whitney,’ run4cvr07.
‘To depict someone at one of their lowest points in a life filled with career highs and achievements most people could only dream of 😳 nah, not it!’ said tim_roisli.
‘I love Whitney and you nailed this moment of her life pretty spot on, however perhaps this isn’t the best moment to nail given this was such a dark moment of her life. It’s not like she having a truly joyous moment, she was battling addiction and was mentally and emotionally spiralling out of control before the public. That’s not memorable, that’s sad 😢’ said bigmillah1.
‘disrespectful to Whitney Houston and her family,’ said michaelhunter3659.
However, some of her fans loved the look, with many insisting that Whitney would have seen it is as a tribute.
‘Yaaaaaaaasssss ! Rest in heaven Whitney Houston 🔥 Winnie you killed it ! ❤️,’ said dollbabykrissy_.
‘I love it and Whitney would too!!!!’ said mssunnid.
Winnie then released a statement addressing the backlash from fans, revealing her birth name is Whitney and the late singer is considered a ‘queen’ in her home.
‘My video wasn’t mocking Whitney. That clip has always been one of my favorites. She was radiant, funny, confident, and captivating… The way she moved across that stage with flair and swag? Iconic,’ she said in an Instagram story.
She added that she frequently says the phrase ‘you gotta lay low’ and was even named after the star.
‘My mother is one of her biggest fans and named me Whitney after her. That’s my real legal name. She’s always been a queen in my house.
‘People are more than headlines. A woman who could command a room, make you laugh & carry herself like royalty. If all you see when you see Whitney are her struggles, you’re missing her charisma, humor, talent, personality, & wit.
‘She was hilarious & magnetic. THAT is and what should always be highlighted. The light that made us all love her attention to positivity.’
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