Fans SLAM Winnie Harlow for ‘using Whitney Houston’s pain as a Halloween costume’

Winnie Harlow is facing fierce backlash after recreating one of the most vulnerable chapters of Whitney Houston’s life.

The model, 31, sparked uproar online after posting footage of herself dressed as the late icon at the 2001 BET Awards – a moment when Houston’s frail appearance and erratic stage presence fueled intense concern and speculation about her health and alleged drug use.

Houston died in 2012 at age 48 from an accidental drowning, with heart disease and cocaine use listed as contributing factors.

Many fans accused Harlow of capitalizing on Houston’s pain rather than honoring her legacy, calling the look ‘tone deaf,’ ‘disrespectful,’ and akin to glamorizing the superstar’s lowest point.

Social media quickly erupted with criticism, with fans calling the costume ‘tone deaf’ and ‘disrespectful’ to Houston’s memory.

‘All these people surrounding you and not one could speak up and say this is inappropriate and classless,’ one Instagram user wrote under her post. 

Winnie Harlow is facing fierce backlash after recreating one of the most vulnerable chapters of Whitney Houston’s life

Another added: ‘This wasn’t the tribute Whitney deserved… she chose to recreate Whitney during one of her hardest times, a moment when the world could clearly see she wasn’t okay.’

‘Out of all the beautiful moments of Whitney’s life you chose to portray her at one of her worst times,’ they continued. 

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

‘You can pay tribute to an icon without turning her pain into a costume. Whitney deserves to be remembered for her voice, her power, her grace — not her lowest moments,’ a fourth insisted.

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 also revealed a personal connection to the late singer: ‘My mother is one of her biggest fans and named me Whitney after her. That’s my real legal name.

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

Houston died in 2012 at age 48 from an accidental drowning, with heart disease and cocaine use listed as contributing factors; Houston seen in 2001

Many fans accused Harlow of capitalizing on Houston’s pain rather than honoring her legacy, calling the look ‘tone deaf,’ ‘disrespectful,’ and akin to glamorizing the superstar’s lowest point

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

‘If all you see when you see Whitney are her struggles, you’re missing her charisma, humor, talent & wit. She was hilarious & magnetic,’ the former reality star wrote.

Harlow concluded her message by urging people to focus on positivity and the light Houston brought to the world.

While some fans defended Harlow’s intent and praised her admiration for Houston, others insisted the model crossed a line by recreating a moment widely associated with the superstar’s addiction battle.

Still, Houston’s Instagram account, which is managed by The Estate of Whitney E. Houston, reposted the video.

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