Filipina-American model Kelsey Merritt shared over the weekend that she will be walking for the highly anticipated Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show later this year.
Merritt took to Instagram that she will be the first Filipino model to ever strut down the runway of Victoria’s Secret.
“We did it Philippines! What an honor it is to be the first Filipino to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2018! I can’t believe this!” she wrote.
She also thanked the people who helped her realize her dreams, her agents, and her followers through her social media post.
However, her achievement met some backlash after some netizens claimed that she “doesn’t not look Filipino enough” to be considered as the first Filipino model to walk the said fashion show.
Merritt, who got her American blood from her father, defended herself on social media saying that people should recognize her Filipino roots beyond her physical looks.
“Ipinanganak ako sa Pilipinas at lumaki ako sa Pampanga. Tinapos ko ang pag-aaral ko sa Manila bago ako lumipat sa US last year.
“Mas Pinoy pa dugo ko kesa sa mga ‘pure’ na hindi pa nakatapak sa Pilipinas.
“I love my country and I’m proud of where I came from,” she wrote on Twitter.
Pinanganak ako sa Pilipinas at lumaki ako sa Pampanga. Tinapos ko ang pagaaral ko sa Manila bago ako lumipat sa US last year. Mas pinoy pa dugo ko kesa sa mga “pure” na hindi pa nakatapak sa Pilinipas. I love my country and I’m proud of where I came from. ❤️
— Kelsey Merritt (@kelsmerritt) September 9, 2018
Shortly after, Filipino netizens stepped in to defend the Fil-Am model.
Being a Filipino doesn’t mean you need to be full blood pinoy. Nasa puso yan. We will always be proud of you in every path you take. ❤️
— Maria Uriarte (@mariacluriarte) September 9, 2018
We are proud of you Kelsey! Pinoy pride! Ignore the pa-woke but are just really jealous and envious! You are Filipino through and through! Way to go and we’re excited for you!
— grack lee (@gracklee) September 9, 2018
i don't understand the fuss about kelsey merritt not being a pure filipina like???? she kept mentioning how proud that she's representing the ph (& she's always carried our coutnry's name) girl she deserves that opportunity, she earned it, what are you all crying about https://t.co/UQ9vDMUOlc
— Daniello (@preujudice) September 9, 2018
Kelsey Merritt is opening doors for Filipinas. Filipinas come in all shapes, sizes and shades, but this IS the fashion industry we’re talking about. It’s a small step towards inclusion but a step nonetheless. It should be okay to celebrate that.
— Jay Santiago (@geeuh) September 10, 2018
i think people are being really unfair to Kelsey Merritt. She lived in the Philippines, studied there, speaks Filipino, advocates for good causes, and doesn't shy away from her cultural identity.
Yet some of you wanna shame her because she shares a few features of Westerners.
— Karl Zachary ❂ (@karlzachary_) September 9, 2018
Kelsey Merritt having heavy eurocentric features doesn't take away the fact that she actually identifies as Filipino & grew up in the Philippines. That's a whole lot better than how twitter forces brown Fil-Ams as the token Fil rep when they dont know shit about Filipino culture
— Gabe Legaspi (@Gabe_Legaspi) September 9, 2018
