Winnie Harlow: From Bullied Child to Global Supermodel Breaking Beauty Standards

The Winnie Harlow biography tells an incredible story of transformation. Born Chantelle Brown-Young, this Canadian model turned childhood trauma into worldwide success. She faced cruel bullying for her vitiligo condition but became the first model with this skin condition to walk for Victoria’s Secret. Her journey proves that what makes you different can become your greatest strength.

Harlow changed the fashion industry forever. She showed the world that beauty comes in all forms. Her confidence and determination opened doors for other models who look different. Today, she stands as one of the most recognizable faces in fashion, inspiring millions worldwide.

Early Life and the Challenge of Vitiligo

Chantelle Whitney Brown-Young was born on July 27, 1994, in the Greater Toronto Area to parents Lisa Brown and Windsor Young. Her family has Jamaican roots, and she grew up with two sisters. Her childhood seemed normal until doctors made a life-changing diagnosis when she was just four years old.

She was diagnosed with the chronic skin condition vitiligo, characterized by depigmentation of portions of the skin, at the age of four. This condition causes white patches to appear on the skin as pigment cells stop working. The patches can spread over time and affect any part of the body, including hair.

The diagnosis changed everything for young Chantelle. She had to face bullying from children during her school due to her skin ailment. They used to call her ‘Cow and Zebra’ and mock with other slurs. The cruel names hurt deeply, making school a painful experience rather than a place of learning.

Her mother, Lisa, raised Chantelle and her sisters mostly alone after separating from their father. The family struggled with the emotional toll of the constant bullying. She eventually dropped out and at one point, even contemplated suicide. This dark period tested her strength but ultimately shaped her resilience.

At the age of 16, due to bullying, she quit school and even thought of committing suicide. The pain seemed unbearable for a teenager just trying to fit in. However, this low point became the foundation for her incredible comeback story.

Rise to Fame Through America’s Next Top Model

Harlow began her modelling career on Instagram and was discovered by Tyra Banks who recruited her as one of the contestants for the 2014 season of ‘America’s Next Top Model’. This discovery changed her life completely. Banks saw something special in the young woman who had been told she was different.

She gained prominence in 2014 as a contestant on the 21st cycle of the U.S. television series America’s Next Top Model. The show gave her a platform to share her story with millions of viewers. She became the first Canadian contestant ever to appear on the American version of the show.

Her time on the show had ups and downs. While Harlow did become one of the finalists on the show, she was ultimately eliminated in the second week of the finals. Many thought her journey was over, but the show had a twist waiting for her.

She then took part in the “comeback series.” After completing the series and receiving the most number of votes, she was brought back to ‘America’s Next Top Model’. The audience loved her confidence and authenticity. Her return proved that viewers connected with her story of overcoming adversity.

Though she didn’t win the competition, the exposure was invaluable. Despite not winning the show, she had received enough exposure to enable her to continue the pursuit of success in the fashion industry. Her unique look and inspiring story caught the attention of major fashion brands worldwide.

Breaking Barriers in the Fashion World

After the show, Harlow’s career took off rapidly. Following her elimination from America’s Next Top Model, Harlow modelled for the Spanish clothing brand Desigual and became its official brand representative. This partnership marked the beginning of her professional modeling career and proved that the fashion world was ready for change.

In September 2014, she walked and closed for the clothing brand Ashish for its spring/summer 2015 collection in London Fashion Week. Walking for a major brand at London Fashion Week was a huge milestone. She closed the show, meaning she wore the final look, which is typically reserved for the most important models.

Major brands began reaching out to work with her. In 2015, Harlow modelled for the Italian clothing brand Diesel for its spring/summer 2015 campaign, which was shot by British fashion photographer Nick Knight. Working with renowned photographer Nick Knight elevated her status in the fashion world significantly.

In 2018, Harlow became the first model with vitiligo to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. This moment made history and sent a powerful message about beauty standards. The Victoria’s Secret runway had never seen a model with her condition before, making this appearance groundbreaking.

Harlow has appeared in advertising campaigns for Fendi, Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger, Desigual, Diesel, Swarovski, Steve Madden, Nike, Puma, MAC and Victoria’s Secret. These partnerships with luxury and mainstream brands show how she transformed from an outsider to an industry insider.

Building Her Business Empire with Cay Skin

In March 2022 Harlow founded the sun care and skincare brand Cay Skin, saying she was influenced to do so after being badly sunburned on a photoshoot, where the photographer requested she not reapply sunscreen to avoid the white cast most sunscreen products leave in photos. This personal experience sparked her entrepreneurial journey into the beauty industry.

The brand focuses on inclusive skincare for all skin types and tones. CAY SKIN has garnered positive reviews for its high-quality ingredients and commitment to inclusivity. Her products address a real gap in the market for sunscreens that work well for people of all skin colors.

Harlow’s vision for CAY SKIN is to create a skincare brand that empowers individuals to embrace their unique beauty. The brand emphasizes the importance of self-care and self-love, encouraging customers to feel confident in their own skin. Her personal journey with vitiligo directly influences the brand’s message of self-acceptance.

With a focus on inclusivity, CAY SKIN offers a range of products that cater to diverse skin tones and types, ensuring that everyone can find something that works for them. This approach reflects her commitment to making beauty products accessible to everyone, regardless of their skin condition or color.

As of early 2025, Harlow’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million. Her business ventures, combined with her modeling career, have created substantial wealth and financial independence.

Personal Life and Recent Engagement to Kyle Kuzma

Harlow’s personal life has attracted significant media attention over the years. In 2018, she began dating rapper Wiz Khalifa, and their relationship was widely covered in the media. Although the couple eventually split up in 2019, they remained on good terms. Their relationship introduced her to a wider audience beyond fashion.

Her current love story began during the pandemic. In a February 2023 interview with GQ, Kuzma revealed that a private jet was involved in some of their earliest dates. The NBA star went to great lengths to court the supermodel, showing his serious intentions from the beginning.

In February 2025, Winnie got engaged to basketball player Kyle Kuzma, marking a new chapter in her personal life. The proposal was incredibly romantic and well-planned. Kuzma had started planning to pop the question six months ago.

The lavish proposal came in Turks and Caicos, where the couple went on vacation together for the first time in 2022. Kuzma chartered a private jet to the islands – replete with roses, balloons, chocolate and champagne. The location held special meaning for their relationship, making it the perfect place for this milestone moment.

Kuzma then read her a poem he had written. But then the poem ended with the line “will you be my wife?” and he revealed an 8.5-carat oval-cut engagement ring. The custom-designed ring took him three months to create, showing his dedication to making the moment perfect.

Legacy and Impact on Beauty Standards

Harlow’s influence extends far beyond modeling contracts and magazine covers. She was honored as one of the BBC 100 Women in 2018. This recognition highlighted her impact as a role model and advocate for people with visible differences.

Her advocacy work began early in her career. Harlow posted a video titled “Vitiligo: A Skin Condition, not a Life Changer” on YouTube in July 2011. She used her platform to educate people about vitiligo and show that it doesn’t define a person’s worth or potential.

Harlow spoke in a TEDx presentation about her experience with vitiligo in November 2014. Her public speaking helps break down stereotypes and misconceptions about visible differences. She turns her personal struggles into teachable moments for others.

She rose to prominence as a contestant on America’s Next Top Model in 2014. Since then, Harlow has gone on to have a stellar career and is credited with changing beauty standards in the fashion industry, as well as amassing 10 million followers on Instagram. Her social media presence allows her to reach millions with messages of self-acceptance and empowerment.

Her impact reaches beyond individual success to systemic change in fashion. She opened doors for other models with visible differences and disabilities. The industry now actively seeks diverse representation, partly because of pioneers like Harlow who proved that different can be beautiful and profitable. Her legacy continues to inspire young people who feel different or excluded from traditional beauty standards.

For more inspiring stories like Winnie Harlow’s journey from bullied teenager to global supermodel, visit us at EarlyMagazine, where we uncover the remarkable paths of rising talents who turn their differences into their greatest strengths.