Winnie Harlow, Model Star , United States (born 27-Jul-1994) – Winnie Harlow

Chantelle Whitney Brown-Young stepped into the global spotlight with a powerful truth. Born in Canada in 1994, she carries the skin condition vitiligo. She turned a source of childhood struggle into a signature of strength.

Her career ignited on the 21st cycle of America’s Next Top Model in 2014. The platform launched her as a new voice in fashion. She became a public spokesperson, advocating for visibility and acceptance.

A historic moment arrived in 2018. She walked the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway, the first model with vitiligo to do so. This milestone challenged rigid industry norms about beauty.

Her influence extends beyond the catwalk. The BBC named her one of its 100 Women that same year. She represents a community, as about one in a hundred people live with vitiligo.

Her journey is not just about fame. It’s a story of transforming difference into a platform for empowerment and change.

Early Life and Personal Background

Her foundation was built in Toronto, within a close-knit family of Jamaican descent. Her parents, Lisa Brown and Windsor Young, raised her alongside her two sisters. This cultural heritage would later become a touchstone in her life and career.

Family Heritage and Cultural Roots

Growing up in Canada, her household was infused with the spirit of Jamaica. This background provided a strong sense of identity from the start. It was a private world of support before a very public challenge began.

Growing Up with Vitiligo

At just four years old, she was diagnosed with vitiligo. This skin condition causes patches of depigmentation. For a child, it marked the beginning of a difficult journey.

School became a source of pain. Other children cruelly called her “cow” and “zebra.” The taunts were relentless. Fear and ignorance led to isolation, as some parents wrongly believed the condition was contagious.

The harassment took a severe toll. She changed schools multiple times and eventually dropped out. In her darkest moments, she even contemplated suicide. Her mother’s words became a lifeline. She consistently reminded her daughter, “You are so much more than just your cover.”

This early chapter of her life shows the profound struggle of living with vitiligo. It’s a story of navigating a world that often fears difference. Her resilience forged in youth would later fuel her advocacy.

The Journey Begins: From Toronto to America’s Next Top Model

A simple photo session with a friend cracked open a door to a future she had never imagined. Years after the bullying, a friend saw her unique beauty and urged her to model. That single suggestion started everything.

Discovery and Early Modeling Steps

Tyra Banks found her on Instagram. The host of America’s Next Top Model saw potential in her distinctive look. She invited the young woman to compete on the show’s 21st cycle.

In 2014, Winnie Harlow became one of 14 finalists. She was the first and only Canadian ever cast on the American version of the hit series. The platform instantly introduced her to a massive audience.

Facing Early Challenges on the Runway

The runway presented new tests. The industry rarely featured models with visible skin conditions. She had to project confidence in an environment that had long valued uniformity.

America’s Next Top Model became her launching pad. It transformed her from a Toronto native into an emerging fashion figure. Her difference was now her signature, setting the stage for a groundbreaking career.

Winnie Harlow: Trailblazing the Modeling World

The modeling world gained a new kind of pioneer. She wore her uniqueness as her greatest asset. Her success transformed a personal journey into a public revolution.

Achieving fame as a model changed everything for her. It shifted her identity from a target of bullying to a figure of strength. She now commands runways and magazine covers worldwide.

Her status is firmly in the mainstream. She is a sought-after supermodel for top-tier brands. This table highlights key milestones in her trailblazing career.

Winnie Harlow’s work redefined beauty standards. She proved that different bodies and faces belong in fashion. Her influence extends beyond personal success to broader advocacy.

She changed the face of fashion by being fully herself. Her visibility created space for more diverse representations of beauty. Trailblazing meant opening doors for others to follow.

Breakthrough Moments on America’s Next Top Model

The second week of finals brought what seemed like an ending, but became a new beginning on America’s Next Top Model. Elimination could have closed the door on her television journey. Instead, it launched a compelling comeback narrative that captured public attention.

The Comeback Series and Public Vote

America’s Next Top introduced a unique format called the “comeback series.” Eliminated contestants continued participating in photo shoots. They competed for a chance to return through public voting.

Winnie Harlow received the highest average public vote score. Viewers clearly connected with her story and presence. The audience support overrode the judges’ initial decision, bringing her back to the competition.

Her return demonstrated genuine public interest in her journey. The comeback series format revealed how reality television can amplify personal stories. It became a platform for sharing her experience with millions.

The second elimination in episode 13 placed her ninth overall. This complete context shows her ANTM experience wasn’t about winning. Breakthrough moments create impressions that resonate and open unexpected doors.

Her impact extended beyond competition results. The next top model platform built foundation for her subsequent career. Reality television became her stage for transformation.

Redefining Beauty Standards Beyond the Runway

Her advocacy work extends far beyond the catwalk, challenging industry norms at their core. Winnie Harlow transformed personal experience into public conversation about acceptance.

She refuses to treat her vitiligo as something needing correction. Instead, she positions it as her signature strength. This approach fundamentally questions why certain appearances are valued while others face stigma.

“Why is there a stigma around being different when we’re all different?” she asks. This powerful question cuts to the heart of arbitrary beauty standards. It challenges people to examine their own assumptions about the human body.

She describes using her skin condition as a megaphone. It allows her to be louder and prouder, always fueled by passion. Her experience taught her to look beyond her own cover—and everyone else’s too.

Redefining beauty requires both visibility and vocal advocacy. Harlow consistently provides both throughout her career. Her influence extends to anyone who has felt judged based on appearance.

The conversation isn’t just about expanding who gets to model. It’s about questioning why we value certain faces and bodies over others. Her work creates space for more diverse representations of beauty.

The Iconic Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Debut

On one of fashion’s most exclusive runways, a barrier was permanently broken. The 2018 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show became a landmark event for inclusive representation.

A Historic Runway Moment for a Vitiligo Model

Harlow commanded the catwalk with her vitiligo spots in full view. She made no attempt to conceal them. This deliberate choice presented her condition as an integral part of her beauty and identity.

The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show had long symbolized a narrow definition of beauty. Her inclusion signaled a meaningful shift. This wasn’t just another modeling gig; it was a deliberate step in her mission.

Reflecting on her first Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, she shared a forward-looking perspective. “We just need to keep focused on taking steps forward,” she stated. This quote reflects her understanding that true representation is a gradual process.

The moment was historic for the entire vitiligo community. For the first time, they saw themselves on one of fashion’s biggest global stages. Her presence created a new reference point for beauty.

This iconic appearance challenged the industry’s core standards. It proved that difference is not just acceptable but celebrated. The fashion show became a cultural marker for evolution.

Embracing Vitiligo for Empowerment and Advocacy

Advocacy began not with fame, but with a simple YouTube video in 2011. Before modeling contracts and runway shows, she shared her story directly with the world.

Impactful Public Speaking and TEDx Presentation

Her 2011 video “Vitiligo: A Skin Condition, not a Life Changer” marked her first public step. She used this platform to answer questions about living with vitiligo. The video demystified the condition for many viewers.

Three years later, she delivered a powerful TEDx talk titled “How I Define Beauty.” This presentation reached a broader audience. She challenged stigma around difference with her famous question about why we fear being different.

Harlow partnered with the Global Vitiligo Foundation to expand her impact. This collaboration focuses on education, research, and community support. It shows her commitment goes beyond personal advocacy.

Her public speaking transforms painful experiences into teaching moments. She models self-acceptance for others with the skin condition. This work empowers both herself and the entire vitiligo community.

Diversification: From Modeling to Acting and Television

Her career trajectory expanded beyond the catwalk into scripted roles and animated worlds. The model demonstrated versatility by entering entertainment sectors beyond fashion.

Entering the Film and TV Scene

In 2023, she made her acting debut in the horror film Alone at Night. That same year brought a role in the romantic comedy The Perfect Find.

Television appearances followed quickly. She guest-starred as herself in the 2024 dramedy Grown-ish. This blended her real-life celebrity with scripted television.

Notable Acting Roles and Voice Work in Animation

Voice acting became another creative outlet. She joined the cartoon series Monster High in 2024. Her most significant role came with the Marvel animated series Eyes of Wakanda.

There she voiced the lead character Noni. This placed her within one of entertainment’s most valuable franchises.

She also served as a judge on Making the Cut season 2. Her Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue appearance further validated her mainstream status. This diversification shows how modern stars build sustainable careers across multiple platforms.

High-Profile Fashion Collaborations and Brand Campaigns

The runway doors swung open wider than ever before as luxury brands sought her distinctive presence. Immediately after her television exposure, the industry embraced her unique look with prestigious opportunities.

Working with Top Designers and Fashion Houses

Her first major partnership came with Spanish clothing brand Desigual. She became their official representative, signaling a new direction for the fashion industry.

In September 2014, she walked London Fashion Week for Ashish. She closed the spring/summer 2015 collection show, cementing her runway credibility.

The following year brought a significant campaign with Italian brand Diesel. Photographer Nick Knight captured the spring/summer 2015 campaign, adding artistic weight to her commercial work.

Winnie Harlow’s portfolio expanded across luxury, athletic, and beauty sectors. She worked with Fendi, Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger, and became a Puma ambassador.

Her Swarovski campaign positioned her in accessories, while a 2016 Sprite commercial showed mainstream appeal. These collaborations demonstrated both commercial success and industry validation.

The Art of Inclusive Skincare: The Birth of Cay Skin

A painful sunburn during a Bahamian photoshoot sparked more than just temporary discomfort—it ignited a mission. The photographer requested no sunscreen reapplication to avoid the white cast that plagues many sun protection products. This decision led to severe burns that required medical attention and permanently altered her vitiligo pattern.

That moment crystallized a lifelong frustration. Since childhood, her mother diligently applied sunscreen that left a stark white cast on brown skin. She faced an impossible choice between skin health and appearance.

Inspiration from Jamaican Heritage

The Cay Skin brand draws deeply from Jamaican roots. Traditional remedies used by family women informed the formulations. This heritage blends with advanced SPF filters to create something truly unique.

Winnie Harlow’s personal experiments with various treatments shaped the brand’s approach. Skincare was always non-negotiable in her life. Now it became a solution for everyone.

Cay Skin eliminates the compromise between protection and aesthetics. The formulas hydrate while providing serious sun defense. They work for all skin tones without leaving the dreaded white cast.

This isn’t just another celebrity skincare line. It’s a labor of love born from genuine need. The brand combines science and nature to protect every person under the sun.

Social Media Influence and Global Reach

Instagram became her direct line to the world, bypassing traditional media filters. With over 10.2 million followers, Winnie Harlow built a digital empire that extends far beyond fashion runways.

She controls her narrative completely on social platforms. Followers see professional shoots alongside personal moments and advocacy messages. This authenticity builds genuine connection with people worldwide.

Her platform showcases life beyond modeling. Behind-the-scenes content and honest conversations create a space for others to feel represented. The digital community includes those with vitiligo and supporters of diverse beauty standards.

Brands recognize her social media power translates to real influence. An endorsement reaches millions of engaged followers instantly. This digital presence maintains her career outside traditional industry structures.

She amplifies voices within the vitiligo community through her platform. Broader conversations about diversity gain visibility through her posts. Social media democratized her influence, creating lasting impact.

Representing the Vitiligo Community on a Global Stage

The feeling of isolation that often accompanies a visible skin condition began to dissolve as a model with vitiligo claimed the spotlight. Her presence on international runways and magazine covers offered a powerful counter-narrative. For the first time, many saw their own experience reflected back at them.

About one in every hundred people lives with vitiligo. This makes the condition more common than many realize. Harlow’s success proved that living with vitiligo does not define your potential.

Her visibility catalyzed a broader movement. In 2018, CoverGirl featured Amy Deanna, its first model with vitiligo. Mattel then introduced Barbie and Ken dolls with the skin condition in 2020 and 2022.

This expansion into children’s toys normalizes difference for a new generation. Winnie Harlow’s message resonates far beyond fashion. It speaks to anyone who has ever felt limited by their appearance or struggled with self-esteem.

One person’s visibility created space for many. It showed that representation matters not just for seeing yourself, but for feeling you belong.

Redefining Celebrity Activism in Fashion and Beauty

Celebrity activism often wears a thin veneer, but some figures build it from personal truth. Winnie Harlow transformed industry access into meaningful advocacy.

Advocacy for Self-Acceptance and Diversity

In 2015, Portuguese GQ presented her with the ‘Role Model’ award. This early recognition showed her influence reached beyond the fashion world.

She became a respected voice for self-acceptance. Her approach rejects empty platitudes. Instead, she champions concrete action.

“Confidence is a choice,” she asserts. This philosophy empowers people to actively love themselves. It moves beyond waiting for external validation.

Her business venture, Cay Skin, embodies this mindset. Products are designed for everyone under the sun. They work for all skin tones and conditions.

True activism means challenging the system that provides your platform. She demonstrates this through runway appearances, public speaking, and inclusive product creation.

Her work redefines what celebrity influence can achieve. It shows that meaningful change requires authenticity and consistent effort.

The Impact of Music Videos and Visual Projects

The screen offered another stage. Her distinctive presence quickly became a sought-after element in music’s visual storytelling. These projects expanded her reach far beyond the fashion world.

They connected her with audiences who might never see a runway show. Major artists wanted her unique look for their creative visions.

Collaborations with Music’s Biggest Stars

An early appearance came in JMSN’s “The One” in 2014. This coincided with her rise on America’s Next Top Model. It established a new avenue for her career.

A major breakthrough was her role in Eminem’s “Guts Over Fear.” The high-profile video featured Sia. It introduced her to a massive, mainstream audience.

Her most celebrated music moment arrived in 2016. She cameoed in Beyoncé’s landmark visual album, Lemonade. This project was a cultural phenomenon, placing her within a pivotal artistic statement.

In 2018, she appeared in Calvin Harris and Sam Smith’s “Promises.” The video paid tribute to ball culture. Its theme of celebration aligned perfectly with her values of inclusion.

Her work continued with Wizkid’s “True Love” and a 2024 Shakira video. These collaborations show her sustained relevance across genres and years.

Navigating Challenges: Mental Health and Personal Resilience

The psychological toll of relentless bullying carved deep scars that extended far beyond the classroom walls. Constant harassment forced her to change schools multiple times before eventually dropping out.

This isolation pushed her to contemplate suicide during her darkest moments. The cruelty from others created deep questions about her worth and place in the world.

Her mother provided a crucial counter-narrative to the hate. She repeatedly affirmed that Winnie was “so much more than just your cover.” This support became the foundation for building resilience.

Harlow’s journey shows that mental health and body image struggles are deeply connected. Her experience demonstrates that resilience means moving forward despite pain.

Success didn’t erase past trauma but created a platform to help people facing similar challenges. Her life now inspires others to find strength in their differences.

Embracing Uniqueness: A Final Reflection on Beauty and Legacy

What remains when the runway lights dim and the photo shoots end is the lasting change. Winnie Harlow’s journey redefined what beauty means in fashion and beyond. Her honors—from BBC 100 Women to Portuguese GQ’s Role Model award—mark consistent recognition of this impact.

The model proved that visible differences need not limit potential. Her message speaks to anyone facing body image issues or self-doubt. It shows that what some see as barriers can become signatures of strength.

Her legacy includes tangible shifts in the industry. More diverse models now walk runways. Brands create inclusive products for all skin tones. Future generations will benefit from these opened doors.

The greatest gift she offers others is permission to embrace themselves fully. Her story transforms personal struggle into universal inspiration about living authentically.