The 31-year-old Canadian model is well known for paying tribute to Houston, who remains one of the most celebrated and influential vocalists in music history. Harlow has often said that she admires the singer’s voice, style, and legacy.
Whitney Houston, who gave the world timeless hits like I Will Always Love You and I Wanna Dance with Somebody, died at the age of 48 in 2012 after being found unconscious in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles.
Harlow, who has long expressed admiration for the late artist, decided to recreate multiple iconic Whitney moments this Halloween, including the pop legend’s bright and joyful I Wanna Dance With Somebody era.
While many fans applauded her for the colorful and nostalgic homage, another of her recreations sparked controversy and drew sharp criticism online.
In a follow-up video, Harlow dressed as Houston from the 2001 BET Awards, where the singer accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award. In the clip, Harlow lip-synced to a portion of Houston’s speech while mirroring her movements and expressions on stage.
Many of Houston’s admirers felt that recreating that moment was inappropriate, arguing that it represented one of the darker periods in her life rather than a celebration of her greatness.
Another person added: “Her ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ look was cute and tasteful…she should’ve kept it there.”
“Of all the several iconic Whitney moments, this is the one she chose?”
Another commenter agreed, writing: “She’s mocking her not at her best moment. Not only is it disrespectful it’s tasteless.”
Still, several others came to Harlow’s defense, saying people were overreacting and that Halloween is about creativity and fun, not controversy.
“Genuinely, what’s the issue with this?” commented another fan.
One person even joked that their only complaint was how much she resembled Whitney herself, saying the accuracy was “almost uncanny.”
In her post, Harlow captioned the costume with the line: “Youuu betta Lay Low!,” referencing one of Houston’s most memorable quotes.
