Former America’s Next Top Model star Winnie Harlow has addressed backlash over her Halloween costume, which paid tribute to Whitney Houston’s unforgettable look at the 2001 BET Awards.
“My video wasn’t mocking Whitney,” Harlow explained in a post on her Instagram Stories. “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. ‘You betta lay low’ is something I say at least once a week. 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.”
Whitney Houston’s 2001 BET Awards appearance—where she received a Lifetime Achievement Tribute—sparked public concern about her drug use at the time. The legendary singer battled addiction for years and was found unconscious in a Los Angeles hotel room in February 2012. Her death was later ruled as a result of drowning, heart disease, and cocaine use. Some critics felt that Winnie Harlow’s decision to recreate that moment for Halloween mocked Houston’s struggles with substance abuse.
“People are more than headlines,” Harlow responded. “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.”
The tribute was later shared on the official Whitney Houston Instagram page, where reactions were divided. Some fans praised Winnie Harlow for her dedication and attention to detail, while others felt she was recreating one of the more difficult moments in Houston’s life.
