ANTM Reminds Us That Different is Beautiful

by Caelan


Thanks to Tyra Banks and America’s Next Top Model, the 11-year quest for who’s gonna be on top has been a “fierce” ride. We’ve learned to “smize” we learned what happens when you let Tyra down, and we’ve learned that true beauty doesn’t only come in a 6’2-Blonde-90 pound-package.

 

Featuring plus-sized models, petite models, an m-to-f transgender model, a contestant with asperger syndrome, mothers, a contestant who suffered Female Genital Mutilation as a young girl, men and women who’ve identified anywhere on the LGBTQIA spectrum etc, etc – representation is a profound element of this show.  

 

Cycle after cycle, ANTM illustrates for America the ins and outs of the modeling industry, but also promotes body-positivity and showcases a variety of looks and models. 

Cycle 21 is no different. Meet Chantelle Brown-Young aka Winnie Harlow, a 19-year-old model who has vitiligo, a condition that causes depigmentation of parts of the skin.

 

In a video from 2011, she explains that while growing up kids were mean (as they often are, ugh!), and bullied her by calling her “zebra” and “cow.” However, she quickly realized that “you either have to learn how to deal or you break down,” and she’s not planning to break down any time soon.

 

Both a ball of sunshine and an absolute knockout, this young model is working to make her dreams come true and gaining huge strides in terms of visibility for people with skin conditions worldwide.

 

Girl, you know we’ll all be routing for you.

 

 

Photos by: The CWPanache Lingerie, Instagram 

 

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