Sixteen years ago at the age of 4, Toronto-born model Chantelle Brown-Young was diagnosed with vitiligo. Vitiligo is a disease destroys cells that produce pigment, resulting in visible white patches on the skin. A few years ago and 12 years after her diagnosis, Brown Young (whose real name is Winnie Harlow) decided she wanted to pursue modeling, so she messaged photographer Shannon Boodram on Facebook and landed her first photo shoot.
Recently Tyra Banks noticed the budding model, and reached out to her through a fan page created by Brown-Young's 10-year-old sister. "I remember thinking, 'That's cool, but let's not get too excited because this probably isn't real,'" Brown-Young recalls. "But then we looked into it and it was the real deal. Now, Brown-Young is competing on the 21st season of Banks's America's Next Top Model as one of the show's buzziest contestants ever. Ahead, she speaks about how she went from being bullied at school to becoming a working model that has the nation enraptured.
Your first sign of vitiligo cropped up on your stomach when you were 4. How soon after did it start to cover your entire body?
Honestly, I can only go by pictures, so I didn't take heed to the fact that my skin was changing, even though it changed so much. I was a kid, so I just didn't really notice.
You've spoken about getting bullied when you were young. What would other kids say to you and how did that make you feel?
They called me a lot of names like, "cow" and "zebra." I also got into some physical altercations. But I feel like I had to go through those things to make myself stronger.
Did you have a lot of friends?
Growing up I didn't have a lot of real friends, and the people I was friends with I've grown apart from — they were frenemies more than anything. But I didn't have to be validated by friends who would cut me down or say something behind my back. I think you have to feel your best by yourself. I do think it's important to have a solid friend that you can turn to though — one that you can vent to.
How did you overcome being bullied?
I tried to tell myself that I was beautiful. I didn't believe it at the time, but I tried to tell myself that. My confidence was more of a fake it until you make it kind of thing. I tried to build my own confidence and not rely on the opinions of others.
When did you start seeing your skin disease as a positive thing rather than a negative one?
I think it goes back to when I was 16 when I did my first photo shoot with Shannon Boodram. That was how I started modeling. I'd use the pictures from that shoot to go on castings, which benefitted me. I went to a casting for Fashion Art Toronto [an annual series of fashion shows] and booked it, it was the first fashion [job] I had ever done. Then, I ended up doing a lot of runway. I could build a portfolio that way and also encourage myself.
"@fashionarttoronto 2013 my first runway show and the introduction to my passion for modeling (design by@jen_wallaceplayford @kate_wallaceplayford)."
Chantelle modeling at Toronto fashion week.
Have you ever felt like you've been discriminated against in the industry, and if so, how have you dealt with it?
The fact that I've never been signed [by an agency] before shows that I've had trials and tribulations, but even as I grow as a model and in my social following, I've realized that the whole world isn't' going to like me or my look. Even Beyoncè has a ton of fans and haters — the entire world isn't in love with her. You just can't please everyone.
Were you getting a lot of work before you were on ANTM?
Yes and no. I was getting work but not paid work. It makes sense to me though, because the Toronto market is very girl next door, and that's not what I am. So, when someone was interested in me, I would take the job to build my portfolio, and then use those jobs as practice for bigger things that came along.
How do clients usually react to you?
I think my skin condition isn't for everyone. My friends and family see me, but some people just see my skin. If the client is looking for me, they're going to see me. For example, if someone is going to book Cara Delevingne for her striking eyes, they'll book her for her striking eyes. Same goes for my striking skin. I think people are shocked by my skin and how confident I am in it, like when I go out without makeup on.
What happened after Tyra Banks first reached out to you?
It's a long process of making videos of yourself, a lot of back and forth, and a lot of contracts, but when I finally flew out to L.A. to go through the casting process, I was able to skip the open calls, since Tyra wanted me so much. Canadians also aren't allowed to try out, but the show made a special little gateway for me to do so. I ran under the fence [laughs].
What was it like to have Tyra pining for you?
It's one thing to have someone pine after you, but it's another thing to have Tyra pine after you. It meant the world to me that she sought me out so hard and it still does.
Where you always a fan of the show?
Before this all happened I'd catch re-runs on TV and get sucked in, and then I'd look up how to be on ANTM a million zillion times, but it always said if you're not a U.S. citizen you cannot try out, so I never pursued it.
Were you worried that with your skin condition, ANTM would treat you as a "sob story" contestant?
It was actually never a thought in my mind because when it comes to your story, it's all what you portray it as. If I wasn't over being bullied that wouldn't have come through on film, but I've healed from that part of my life, so I knew it wouldn't come across as a sob story.
How did the other models react to your condition?
In the premiere episode of ANTM, there is a girl named Mariana who said, "I think my biggest competition is Chantelle," and I was feeling that too — she even said that to me before she said it on the show. Being so different really makes me stand out, but tied in with my confidence I think it's a positive thing.
Do you see yourself as a role model for other people with vitiligo?
I definitely see myself as a huge inspiration, mainly because people are telling me that I am. I'm constantly getting positive feedback. The other day I had someone message me and say that he was born with only a little bit of his hand and finding my Instagram page really helped him know that yes, he is different but that he doesn't have to hide his hand. Those kind of stories make me feel amazing.
Twenty seasons in, ANTM still hasn't really produced a top model. What motivates you to take part?
I don't want to be too presumptuous, but I hope my modeling career takes off in a huge way. I always wanted to be on this show. It's a great platform that you can do a lot with.
What were some of your wildest/wackiest moments you experienced during filming?
Probably walking out on the runway with pretty much just paint on during the first episode.
On the second episode though, we did our first photo shoot on the beach. It was one of my favorites, not because of the photos that were produced, but because we were meeting Yu Tsai, our mentor. He was crazy and loud and we were on the beach in February in front of heaters in just bathing suits and robes. I was one of the last people to shoot that day and Yusi kept telling everyone, "You need to have energy and confidence and let your light shine through your eyes!" And then when it was my turn, he yelled at me and was like, "Stop! Stop! Everyone, this is how you should be shooting!" When he put the spotlight on me it was a little weird, but cool. It definitely boosted my confidence even though I didn't want to show I loved it too much [laughs].
So, clearly you nail the smize with that type of feedback, right?
Of course! I don't think I'd be able to be on the show if I couldn't [laughs]. Can you smize? You sound like you can based on your laugh.
Thank you. I think so! [Laughs.] Back to you, though — what would you say is the most valuable thing you've learned from Tyra Banks?
She said to me, "I found you myself and you're here because of me, but I won't tread lightly with you. Nothing is a handout, you have to work for it." And that has really stuck with me.
How was it living in that house full of both the girls and guys competing on the show?
There was a lot of drama — it's like living in a sorority, but there are way less bathrooms than a sorority house would have. There were only three, but two that everyone used in the mansion for 14 people. You'd call the shower and leave for five minutes and there was someone else in there already.
Watch Chantelle on America's Next Top Model on the CW Network at 9pm EST on Monday nights.
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