Winnie Harlow Responds to Accusations of Body Shaming: ‘That’s Something I Would Never Do’

Winnie Harlow has become known for embracing her vitiligo in her modeling career.
(@winnieharlow)

Winnie Harlow wants you to know a story about her making fun of someone’s body isn’t what it seems.

The model, who is famous for her vitiligo, cleared up rumors that she made fun of a man with a big belly while vacationing on the Grecian island of Mykonos Wednesday, July 12.

“Normally [I] don’t respond to false stories but wanted [to] address one that appeared today which said I was mocking a stranger over their appearance in ‘yellow swim pants,'” she wrote on Instagram taking aim at a story in the Daily Mail that accused her of “fat-shaming.” “Sorry to disappoint y’all but that’s something I would never do. Tabloids will always look for your downfall, even if it means making things up without fact checking.”

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I Normally don't respond to false stories but wanted address one that appeared today which said I was mocking a stranger over their appearance in "yellow swim pants" sorry to disappoint yall but that's something I would never do. Tabloids will always look for your downfall, even if it means making things up without fact checking. The guy in question is like an uncle to me and we were sharing a joke, not some random person the media is trying to make seem like I'm fat shaming.. We are all on holiday together and have been having an amazing time (including the jokes we crack on each other). He was actually poking his tummy out More for the photos and videos we were taking. Sexy Uncle T is enjoying his media fame right now so thanks at least for that. Watch out for him on my live stories when we're back on the boat but please guys, don't believe everything you read. Love, Winnie xx (& @cardinalterry)

A post shared by ♔Jamaican Canadian♔ (@winnieharlow) on Jul 12, 2017 at 6:33am PDT

Harlow explained the man in question was named Terry, whom she refers to as her uncle, and he was intentionally making his stomach protrude even more for photos. Harlow and Terry are on a group vacation with her boyfriend, Lewis Hamilton, who the Daily Mail confirmed is Terry’s nephew, and are spending time on a yacht where the controversial clip was taken.

In an Instagram video, Harlow playfully poked fun at Terry, writing “Sexy views. You’re welcome.”

The clip resulted in Twitter users accusing Harlow of being a hypocrite.

How dare you take a picture of another human being like that? Did you ask for his consent? Can you imagine how embarrassed he must be?

— Humaira (@humairasuper) July 12, 2017

https://twitter.com/EmilyyyTeee/status/885113287360303106

@winnieharlow what a #hypocrite. Claimed she was bullied all her life but #fatshames other people. pic.twitter.com/6ijrR13Urb

— LadyRed 👄 (@itsladyred) July 12, 2017

In the aftermath, Harlow thanked her fans for their support after they brought the Daily Mail article to her attention.

My fans are the best. They spot nonsense from a mile away @DailyMail writing articles with no fact checking just to slander is sad & hurtful

— ♔Winnie Harlow♔ (@winnieharlow) July 12, 2017