Whitney Houston fans SLAM Winnie Harlow for ‘turning her pain into a Halloween costume’

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Winnie Harlow is receiving significant criticism for recreating a difficult and personal moment from Whitney Houston‘s life.

The 31-year-old model caused a backlash online after sharing a video of herself impersonating Whitney Houston from the 2001 BET Awards. That performance was a particularly sensitive moment, as Houston appeared unwell and her behavior raised concerns about her health and potential drug use.

It was so incredibly sad to lose Whitney Houston in 2012. She was only 48 years old, and her death was a tragic accident – she drowned. While the immediate cause was drowning, it was complicated by underlying heart issues and, unfortunately, cocaine use. It was a really heartbreaking situation, and a reminder of how many factors can contribute to such a loss.

Fans criticized Harlow for seemingly profiting from Whitney Houston’s struggles instead of paying tribute to her. They described the presentation as insensitive and disrespectful, suggesting it exploited a difficult period in the singer’s life for attention.

Social media users quickly reacted with strong criticism, calling the costume insensitive and disrespectful to Whitney Houston.

One Instagram commenter pointed out that despite being surrounded by people, no one intervened to say her behavior was inappropriate and disrespectful.

As a longtime fan, I was really disappointed with the performance. It just didn’t feel like the tribute Whitney deserved. They specifically chose to portray her during a really difficult period in her life, a time when everyone knew she was struggling, and it felt…off. It didn’t honor her memory the way I hoped it would.

They added, ‘Considering all the wonderful parts of Whitney’s life, you focused on a particularly difficult period for her.’

A third wrote: ‘Mocking an exceptional woman at her most vulnerable is no flex.’

As a lifestyle expert, I always say we can absolutely celebrate incredible talents like Whitney Houston, but it’s crucial we do it respectfully. Let’s focus on everything she achieved – that amazing voice, her strength, and her elegance – instead of dwelling on the difficult parts of her life. It’s about honoring her legacy, not turning her struggles into something superficial.

After the backlash grew, Harlow addressed the controversy in a statement on her Instagram Story.

‘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 explained of her tribute.

Harlow shared that he has a personal link to Whitney Houston – his mother is a huge fan and actually named him Whitney after her, which is his given name.

She added that Houston should be remembered for her spirit, not her struggles.

Honestly, it bothers me when people only focus on Whitney’s difficulties. They completely overlook how incredibly charming, funny, talented, and quick-witted she is! She was genuinely hilarious and had this amazing way of drawing you in – she was magnetic, truly.

Harlow ended her message by encouraging everyone to remember the joy and positivity that Houston shared with the world.

Some fans supported Harlow’s tribute to Whitney Houston, appreciating her clear admiration. However, others felt she went too far by recreating a scene many connected to Houston’s struggles with addiction.

Okay, so I was completely losing it when I saw this video, and then… THEN I checked Whitney’s official Instagram – you know, the one run by her estate – and THEY REPOSTED IT! I nearly died. Seriously, seeing that meant the world to me – like they saw me and my love for her. It was just… everything.

Harlow also received love in the comments section from Naomi Campbell, Ciara and Shay Mitchell. 

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2025-11-03 02:48