Photo credit: Andrea Raffin / Shutterstock.com

Winnie Harlow is having quite the illustrious modeling career, despite claiming that her appearance on America’s Next Top Model actually hindered her career.

The model made some controversial comments about the show back in May, essentially suggesting that the contestants who appeared on America’s Next Top Model were looked down upon in the modeling industry.

“I really started modeling after the show because that really didn’t do anything for my career…which it doesn’t do for any model’s career realistically,” she told Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live! with Andy Cohen back in May.

However, Winnie has finally addressed those comments, and it turns out they weren’t as shady as everyone thought…

“It has nothing to do with being ungrateful, and moreover nothing to do with ‘shade’ to Tyra,” Winnie wrote on Instagram.

“She was the first person of higher status to make me feel like I could be a model and not only am I grateful for that, it’s something I’ll never forget.”

She then went on to admit that she couldn’t find work as a model after the show because of the “reality TV stigma” associated with it. She then, rather helpfully, offered advice to aspiring models wanting to follow in her footsteps…

“After being on the show no one would book me and no agency would sign me because of the Reality Tv stigma.

“I stand by what I said and I say it because I don’t want girls thinking it’s a jump start to a modeling career because of me.

“I learned that the best thing to do to become a model and to be taken seriously is to take plain headshots and find a reputable modeling agency.”

Pretty solid advice, if we may say!

We’re glad that Winnie Harlow has cleared that up, and hope there isn’t any bad blood between her and Tyra Banks…