Model and beauty mogul Winnie Harlow is clarifying her intentions after her Halloween tribute to Whitney Houston sparked some debate online.
At 31, Winnie Harlow, who rose to fame on America’s Next Top Model, paid tribute to the late music legend by recreating Whitney’s iconic look from the 2001 BET Awards, featuring a sleek gray dress, a sparkling choker, and a voluminous wig.
In her video, she lip-synced to Whitney’s well-known line, “You betta lay low!”, a phrase that’s become beloved among fans.
Winnie captioned her post, “Youuu betta lay low! One of my favorite iconic Whitney moments,” clearly indicating it was meant as a homage. While many fans praised her for channeling Whitney’s energy and confidence, others took issue with it.
Some social media users accused Winnie Harlow of making fun of Houston, calling her tribute insensitive, especially since it referenced a challenging time in Whitney’s life. One commenter pointed out, “We love Whitney, but this wasn’t the moment to imitate,” while another remarked, “She should’ve chosen a performance, not her lowest point.”
In response to the backlash, Winnie quickly took to her Instagram Story to clarify her perspective, emphasizing that her video was created out of admiration, not mockery.
“My video wasn’t mocking Whitney,” she stated. “That clip has always been one of my favorite moments of hers. She was radiant, funny, confident, and captivating. She was being awarded. The way she moved across that stage with flair and swag? Iconic.”
Winnie also shared that her real name is Whitney, a tribute from her mother, who was a devoted fan of the legendary singer.
“She’s always been a queen in my house,” Harlow explained. “If all you see when you look at Whitney are her struggles, you’re overlooking her charisma, humor, talent, personality, and wit. She was hilarious and magnetic. THAT is what should always be highlighted.”
Winnie Harlow concluded her message by encouraging a spirit of positivity, urging fans to celebrate the brilliance and soul that made Whitney Houston an icon, rather than focusing solely on the pain of her later years.
