Winnie Harlow continues to be on the front lines of vitiligo awareness.
The model and entrepreneur, who just recently became engaged to NBA star Kyle Kuzma, spoke with Us Weekly after the reveal of her Madame Tussaud's wax figure for an exclusive interview, where she discussed many topics, including her ongoing dedication to improving knowledge and resources towards vitiligo.
Diagnosed with the disease at just four years old, vitiligo is a rare condition that attacks the melanocyte cells, which produce melanin. Harlow's wax figure reveal happened on World Vitiligo Day (June 25), which was established in 2011 to honor the legacy of Michael Jackson, who also suffered from the disease.
June 25 is also the day Jackson passed away, and Harlow's ceremony took place on the sixteenth anniversary of his death. Of the honor, Harlow told the publication, "I’ve gotten so much support and so much love from the vitiligo community on how much I’ve uplifted them by just being me and how much it allows them to just be themselves."
"I thought it was imperative for me to launch it on World Vitiligo Day, to not just celebrate me, and the things I’ve done and all this, but also them and how much they’ve supported me and how much that uplifts me as well," she continued.
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After the event, Harlow took to Instagram to celebrate some more.
"What a dream come true 🥹🤍✨ The First Wax figure with Vitiligo!! Thank you to the incredible team at @madametussaudsusa for working endless hours, and for agreeing to launch on world Vitiligo day! It was so important to me to launch on this day as the first person with vitiligo to have a wax figure! This is a stamp in time for representation!" she wrote.
"Thank you to my Vitiligo brothers and sisters who pour their love into me!" she excitedly added. "We have a community that we always longed for and it’s worth its weight in gold!
"I appreciate you guys for uplifting me and taking the weight of me being a First by you guys being the BEST! I watch you guys walk in your strength and confidence and wish little Winnie could see you all! You’re my family. I love you to the moon and back!"
Indeed, this is a significant moment.
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