The mannequin addressed the criticism on Sunday, three days after revealing the look to her followers.
Winnie first paid homage to Whitney by dressing up as her within the “I Wanna Dance With Someone” music video earlier than later recreating Whitney’s look on the 2001 BET Awards, when Whitney took the stage to just accept the Lifetime Achievement Award. On the time, Whitney was going through intense scrutiny and hypothesis about her drug use, which was amplified by her visibly skinny look and energetic conduct in the course of the present.
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BET Awards / By way of youtube.com
Whitney by no means publicly addressed the response to her look — although she later admitted to beforehand utilizing medication in a 2002 interview with Diane Sawyer, together with marijuana and cocaine. She died in 2012 from an unintended drowning, with coronary heart illness and cocaine use listed as contributing components.
On condition that historical past, followers weren’t thrilled about Winnie’s determination to recreate that exact look.
One commenter wrote, “If this was a reenactment of a extra constructive a part of Whitney’s profession and influence on the earth I might be comfortable with you pretending to be her once in a while since you did such a very good job. I believe it’s best to do a constructive one.”
One other particular person wrote on X, “um. i feel she’s an asshole for this. she made a ‘costume’ & is reenacting a time when Whitney was within the throws of dependancy.”
Others agreed that the costume missed the mark: “One thing about this feels disrespectful. Idk. Perhaps I’m too woke.”
Winnie addressed the backlash on her Instagram story, saying that she meant to have fun Whitney, not mock her. “That clip has at all times been certainly one of my favorites,” she stated. “She was radiant, humorous, assured, and charming. She was being awarded. The way in which she moved throughout that stage with aptitude and swag? Iconic.”
Winnie additionally shared a private connection to Whitney. “My mom is certainly one of her greatest followers and named me Whitney after her,” she shared. “That is my actual authorized identify. She’s at all times been a queen in my home.”
She then concluded the publish by saying, “Individuals are greater than headlines. A girl who might command a room, make you giggle & carry herself like royalty. If all you see once you see Whitney are her struggles, you are lacking her charisma, humor, expertise, character, & wit. She was hilarious & magnetic. THAT is and what ought to at all times be highlighted. The sunshine that made us all love her consideration to positivity.”
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