Days after Tyra Banks issued a response to model Winnie Harlow’s diss of “America’s Next Top Model,” cycle three winner Eva Marcille has chimed in — but not before Harlow could defend her stance on Instagram.
Back in May, Harlow dismissed the idea that her time on cycle 21 of ANTM helped boost her modeling career.
“I really started after the show,” Harlow said when she appeared on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.” “‘Cause it really didn’t do anything for my career, which, it doesn’t do anything for any model’s career, realistically.”
Banks said during an appearance on WWHL last week that she wasn’t so sure about Harlow’s remarks considering she “discovered her on Instagram.”
“I discovered her on Instagram and she’s on the show, so what do you think that means?” the ANTM executive producer and host said adding she has “nothing but love for my girls. And my girls come from so many walks of life and so much pain and so much hardship and so much story. And a lot of times when people express themselves in certain ways, there’s a reason. And I will respect her confidentially and her life but I have to give love to her.”
By Monday, Dec. 3, Harlow had issued a lengthy response of her own on Instagram maintaining her thoughts about the insignificance of “Top Model” and its impact on her professional success.
“It has nothing to do with being ungrateful, and more over nothing to do with ‘shade’ to Tyra,” the 24-year-old said in response to a fan comment. “She was the first person of higher status to make me feel like I could be a model and not only am I grateful for that, it’s something I’ll never forget. After being on the show no one would book me and no agency would sign me because of the Reality Tv stigma. Once I realized that, I stopped talking about it and grew my work base in Europe.”
Harlow said she found success campaigning for Spanish clothing brand Desigual and explained that she’s never even seen an ANTM alum make it big in the fashion industry. She also said she does not want to bash the show but also wants to be honest about her experience.
“My truth is, I stand by what I said and I say it because I don’t want girls thinking it’s a jump start to a modeling career because of me,” she concluded. “I learned that the best thing to do to become a model and to be taken seriously is to take plain headshots and find a reputable modeling agency.”
(@winnieharlow/Instagram)
(@winnieharlow/Instagram)
While Banks has not responded to Harlow’s latest remarks, Marcille has. The ANTM alum, who currently stars on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” stopped by WWHL Sunday and dissed Harlow for not giving proper credit where credit is due.
“You know what? It amazes me that people get opportunities and they totally forget who gave them those opportunities,” Marcille says. “Winnie Harlow is a beautiful girl, but let’s be clear — we know her because of ‘Top Model.’ The world knows her, Drake knows her, Wiz Khalifa knows her because of ‘Top Model.’ So to diss Tyra, who gave everyone this huge platform, I think it’s really wack.”
Fans shared their own responses online.
“Winnie is just mad because ANTM portrayed her as the mean girl that she is.”
“True T. 👏🏼 Don’t bite the hand that fed you Miss Winnie.”
“ANTM is like Iyanla’s Fix My Life. They give them the tools to be successful, but it’s up to them to do the work.”
“YAS OG eva pigford standing up for ANTM and Tyra we love an appreciative queen 👏🏽”
