Comfortable in her own skin: She was teased before but now she is a star!

Winnie Harlow rose to fame after she participated in America's Next Top Model despite having vitiligo

Chantelle Brown-Young has grown up with the taunts of "cow" and "zebra". She was bullied throughout her early life until she told the world why it's important to embrace yourself.

Professionally known as Winnie Harlow, the Canadian model rose to fame after she was placed sixth in the 21st cycle of America's Next Top Model. In a recent interview with Upworthy, Winnie said, "It was really hard growing up. I had to grow thick."
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"People make fun of you and you have to learn how to deal or you break down. I'm not trying to break down so, I have to deal," she added.

PHOTO: FASHIONGONEROGUE

Winnie was like any other normal child until she turned four. Patches started to appear on her arms, legs and face that gradually faded from brown to pale pink. Winnie soon learned her patches were due to a skin condition called vitiligo. It causes the skin to lose its pigment.

Like any other physical abnormality, vitiligo also raises a lot of questions. But Winnie remained determined and faced all these questions with honesty and dignity.

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"It's just a skin condition. It doesn't hurt. There's nothing wrong with me. I'm well. You can breathe the same air as me. We're cool," she said.

If Winnie ever wanted, she could have easily treated these patches or have covered them with makeup to achieve an even tone. But she didn't.

PHOTO: VICE

According to the American Vitiligo Foundation, about 1-2 per cent population of the global population has vitiligo. And Winnie continues to serve as a role model for millions of these people who are hardly considered to be beautiful.

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Winnie has made her own identity with her skin and she is standing out on the runways and major fashion campaigns these days.
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But Winnie is not just a model. She is a real-life hero as many children and adults have found the strength to accept and love themselves just because of her.
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Like Winnie, albino supermodels Shaun Ross and Diandra Forrest are also setting new beauty standards.

PHOTO: PINTEREST