The inevitable backlash caused by her recent Halloween costume was still simmering on Tuesday evening as Winnie Harlow opted for something a little more palatable at the EBONY Power 100 gala.Â
The Canadian supermodel sparked fury among Whitney Houston fans over Halloween by copying a look favoured by the tragic soul diva for a notoriously erratic performance at the BET Awards in 2001.Â
But she was back on form in a striking red and white lace dress while attending the EBONY event at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles.
With a plunging backless detail, the distinctive gown ensured Harlow, 31, claimed the spotlight as she walked the red carpet ahead of Tuesday’s ceremony.Â
The model teamed her dress with a pair of white stiletto heels from Christian Louboutin, while her hair was pulled into tight, braided beehive.Â
Devised to celebrate black excellence across a range of mediums, the EBONY Power 100 gala honours ‘culture shaping leaders’ from the worlds of music, sport, fashion, film, television and politics.
The backlash caused by her recent Halloween costume was still simmering on Tuesday as Winnie Harlow opted for something a little more palatable at the EBONY Power 100 gala
Harlow looked stunning while attending the EBONY event at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles
Other celebrity guests in attendance on Tuesday evening included Emmy nominee Tracee Ellis Ross – the daughter of Motown legend Diana Ross – supermodel Iman, and actresses Taraji P. Henson and Meagan Good.
The annual event saw Teyana Taylor honoured as Entertainer of the Year following a productive year that included a memorable appearance in the Paul Thomas Anderson directed Escape Room.
Elsewhere, TV personality Olandria Carthen, perhaps best known for her appearances on Love Island USA, was bestowed the People’s Choice award.Â
Meanwhile, Ellis Ross received the Pathbreaker of the Year award for her acting achievements and endeavours to promote representation and inclusion across the entertainment and beauty industries.
Rounding off Tuesday’s event, Iman – the widow of pioneering pop legend David Bowie – was on hand to accept the Icon of the Year award. Â
Days earlier, attendee Harlow sparked uproar online after posting footage of herself dressed as Whitney Houston -capturing a moment when the late singer’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 abuse listed as contributing factors.
Many fans accused Harlow of capitalising on Houston’s pain rather than honouring her legacy, calling the look ‘tone deaf,’ ‘disrespectful,’ and akin to glamorising the superstar’s lowest point.
The model teamed her dress with a pair of white stiletto heels from Christian Louboutin, while her hair was pulled into tight, braided beehive
The Canadian supermodel sparked fury among Whitney Houston fans over Halloween by copying a look favoured by the tragic soul diva for a notoriously erratic performance at the BET Awards in 2001
As the backlash intensified, Harlow addressed the controversy in a statement shared with Instagram followers (pictured)
Actresses Tracee Ellis Ross (left) and Taraji P. Henson (right) were also in attendance during Tuesday evening’s evening in Los Angeles Â
American model Shaun Ross posed for photos shortly after arriving at the celebratory eventÂ
Social media quickly erupted with criticism, with fans calling the costume ‘tone deaf’ and ‘disrespectful’ to Houston’s memory.Â
‘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.
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.
Ellis Ross received the Pathbreaker of the Year award for her acting and endeavours to promote representation and inclusion across the entertainment and beauty industries
Actress Meagan Good (left) and TV presenter and producer Amanda Booz (right) posed for red carpet photos at the Beverly Hilton hotel Â
Somali supermodel Iman, the widow of pioneering pop legend David Bowie, was also in attendance as the annual event got underway Â
YouTube influencers Kayla Nicole (left) and Brooklyn Frost (right) were among guests at the annual event in Los AngelesÂ
Tyrese Gibson (left) was accompanied by Zelie Timothy (right) during Tuesday evening’s event
As the backlash intensified, Harlow addressed the controversy in a statement shared with Instagram followers.Â
‘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, adding: ‘My mother is one of her biggest fans and named me Whitney after her. That’s my real legal name.’Â
She added that Houston should be remembered for her spirit, not her struggles.Â
‘If all you see when you see Whitney are her struggles, you’re missing her charisma, humor, talent & wit. She was hilarious & magnetic,’ she wrote.
Harlow concluded her message by urging people to focus on positivity and the light Houston brought to the world.
Iman accepted the Icon of the Year award during the EBONY Power 100 gala on Tuesday night
