Supermodel Winnie Harlow has responded after fans took offense to her dressing up as late singer Whitney Houston for Halloween.
Winnie paid tribute to Houston from the “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” video, before taking on her look from the 2001 BET Awards, when Houston accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award amid widespread media attention.
At the time, Houston faced intense public scrutiny over her health and rumored drug use.
Fans called her out for choosing to highlight one of Houston’s once-controversial moments.
Winnie Harlow continues her Whitney Houston inspired looks for Halloween https://t.co/uNPsHTqtrw pic.twitter.com/eTx54nlaa7
— Glock Topickz (@Glock_Topickz) October 30, 2025
Harlow quickly responded to the pushback.
“That clip has always been one of my favorites,” she wrote. “She was radiant, funny, confident, and captivating. She was being awarded. The way she moved across that stage with flair and swag? Iconic.”
“My mother is one of her biggest fans and named me Whitney after her,” she continued. “That’s my real legal name. She’s always been a queen in my house.
Winnie Harlow on the Whitney Houston Halloween criticism. pic.twitter.com/1cPiuycwiL
— ilovebeautifulwomeninallshades_ (@nikki07390972) November 2, 2025
“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,” Harlow continued. “She was hilarious & magnetic. THAT is and what should always be highlighted. The light that made us all love her attention to positivity.”