Why and when did Winnie Harlow change her name? Real and nickname explored

Model and spokesperson, Winnie Harlow first came to the spotlight during her stint at America's Next Top Model. Since then, Harlow has continued to break barriers and accomplished one milestone after the other. Back in 2018, she was the first person with vitiligo to walk the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

The supermodel, whose real name is Chantelle Whitney Brown-young has an interesting story behind how her unique stage name. The first part of her name comes from her love for the beloved Disney character, Winnie the Pooh, and originally began as an inside joke among her friends.

Harlow recounted the incident during an interview with The Daily Front Row:

"We were on the phone with some boys, I grabbed the phone from one of my girls, and was like, 'Don't give my friends attitude. And the boys asked, 'Who is this?' I looked over, my friend was wearing a Winnie the Pooh T-shirt, so I said my name was Winnie."

Winnie Harlow, the founder of CAY Skin, says in another interview with Fashion Weekly Daily, she explains how the other part of her name came about. She says although she is an ardent admirer of Marilyn Monroe, it felt cliched to take up the name of the legendary actress. This prompted her to use the name of Jean Harlow, knowing that she in turn had inspired Marilyn to take up a career in Hollywood.

"I’m a really big Marilyn Monroe fan, but I didn’t want to use Monroe, because that felt cheesy. But Jean Harlow was one of Marilyn’s really big career inspirations, so I took the name Harlow. I do love my actual name a lot."

Harlow further adds:

"At the beginning, I tried to go by Chantelle Winnie, but then decided to keep Winnie Harlow and Chantelle separate. My family calls me Chantelle."

Winnie Harlow announces engagement with boyfriend, Kyle Kuzma

Congratulations are for the young couple, who have been dating since 2020. The pair recently took to social media to announce their engagement. Kyle Kuzma, who is a player for the Milwaukee Bucks, proposed to Harlow, while they were on their romantic Valentine's Day gateway to Turks & Caicos.

Kuzma had planned the proposal back in 2022 when the couple visited the scenic destination for the first time. For the proposal, he arranged for the plane to be decorated with roses, with Harlow unaware of the proposal until the very last moment.

"For a split second in my head I thought, This would be so cute if this was an engagement,” But I’m also not the type of person who wants to guess or wants to spoil a surprise. So it just was a fleeting thought in my head.” Harlow explains.

According to reports, the NBA player proposed to Harlow, with a one-of-a-kind 8.5 karat oval-cut diamond, featuring baguette stones.

In an interview with Vogue, Kuzma said, he spent months designing the perfect ring for Harlow.

"I never really asked her what type of ring she liked. I just wanted to draw a picture of what I felt resembled her." he explains.

He further added:

Something that was elegant, but very timeless and simplistic at the same time."

The influencer, later took to social media to thank fans and well-wishers for their love and blessings.

"Thank you everyone for your congratulations, blessings and well-wishes. Absolutely over the moon."

Harlow was further surprised by both of their families, who were already waiting for them at the destination to celebrate this special moment. The couple celebrated their special moment with their family and loved ones amidst fireworks and a cozy dinner on the beach.