Supermodel and entrepreneur Winnie Harlow has just made history—again. On World Vitiligo Day, Harlow became the first person with vitiligo to be immortalized in wax at Madame Tussauds, an emotional moment she described as not just personal, but powerfully symbolic.
“I don’t cry a lot, but I love to cry,” Harlow told ESSENCE, visibly moved before the grand reveal. “I’ve cried three times already, and I’m so grateful for that—happy tears.”
The Jamaican-Canadian model, who rose to global fame after appearing on America’s Next Top Model in 2014, has spent the past decade redefining beauty standards in the fashion world. Now, her presence at one of the most iconic museums in the world stands as a tangible reminder of representation, resilience, and self-love.
“It’s a landmark for confidence,” Harlow said, beaming as she stood beside the wax replica that took more than a year to create. “To stand in yourself and your purpose—that’s what this moment is about.”
Working closely with Madame Tussauds’ artists, Harlow was deeply involved in capturing not just her likeness, but the ever-changing canvas that is her skin. Diagnosed with vitiligo at the age of four, she shared concerns that a static wax figure might not fully capture how her appearance naturally evolves.
“I was nervous at first,” she admitted. “My skin changes all the time, and that’s part of its beauty. It tells a story of light, movement, and transformation. That’s something I really wanted them to understand.”
Since her modeling debut, Harlow has blazed runways from Paris to Milan, starred in global campaigns for Dior, Fendi, and Bulgari, and—most importantly—used her platform to advocate for body positivity and inclusivity. Her voice has resonated with people around the world, particularly those who felt unseen in traditional beauty spaces.
Her advocacy didn’t stop with fashion. In 2022, she launched Cay Skin, an inclusive skincare brand born from her own experience with sun sensitivity and the lack of protective products designed for all skin tones and conditions.
“SPF isn’t just about beauty,” she said. “It’s about protection, about honoring your skin—whatever your skin looks like.” Cay Skin’s Glow Face SPF has become a best-seller, blending UV protection with a luminous finish Harlow calls her “goddess island glow.”
And just as her professional life continues to shine, so does her personal one. Earlier this year, Harlow got engaged to NBA star Kyle Kuzma, a detail sweetly honored by the Madame Tussauds team, who made sure her wax figure sported her engagement ring. “My mom’s a hairdresser,” Harlow added with a laugh, “so I’m really excited about my wedding hair.”
As she stood beside her wax double in New York, Harlow reflected not just on how far she’s come, but on the young girl who once longed for a version of herself in the world around her.
“So many people see me as a symbol now, and that means a lot,” she said. “But deep down, I’m still that little girl who just wanted to see herself on a billboard, who wanted to feel seen. This moment, this figure—it’s for her. And for every kid who ever felt different.”
With her wax debut, another barrier is broken—but for Harlow, it’s more than a milestone. It’s a legacy in the making.
