For many, it takes an extreme amount of courage to wake up and be comfortable in their own skin. Some people are often ridiculed, judged, or mocked for how they act, how they dress, or what they look like. A stunning, young America's Next Top Model contestant, Chantelle Winnie, happens to be someone who is confident in her own skin, no matter how it may look or what others may have to say about it. Winnie has a rare skin disease called vitiligo. The disease causes those who have it to lose pigment in their skin, causing blotches. She's come a long ways since being bullied all throughout her childhood, and the bullying was even so severe while she was in high school that she dropped out. Winnie had even contemplated suicide. She learned to see the beauty in her condition and within herself. She even calls herself the “spokesmodel for vitiligo.” Though the gorgeous gal did not win ANTM, shenow beams on runways across the world, and models for very notable fashion brands.
There have been recent claims that there are people over the web mocking the model's condition and being racist. There are posts of Instagram users putting makeup on their faces to mimic Winnie's condition. There's been some outrage and controversy sparking amongst the Internet about the posts, seeing them as cruel and demeaning. There are some who think that the makeup contouring is actually an act of Blackface, which is what white performers did to misrepresent African Americans in the 19th century. Others simply see it as fans paying a tribute to the 20-year-old model, interpreting it as their way of showing her praise.
(via Instagram)
Winnie herself does not see any wrong in the Instagram posts. Contrary to what some might have wanted her to speak out and say, she calmly took to her own Instagram account to state that she doesn't think anyone is trying to steal her race's (African American) look. Winnie didn't think that fans were being racist at all. She stated, "Why do we have to make it a hate crime? In a time when so much negative is happening, please don't accuse those who are showing love and appreciation of being hateful.”
Winnie says that she loves and
appreciates her fans for showing her love and supporting her disease
that she once cried herself to sleep over. It's clear the model has
found her inner and exterior beauty, and isn't going to let any
critics beat her down any further. Winnie ignores the claims of her
fans participating in any acts of Blackfaces, and posts “#1LOVE.” Her confidence is very admirable, and shines through her skin. Winnie has apparently not wavered over what some have to say behind their computers.
