Get to Know Kelsey Merritt, the First Filipino Model in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show
Kelsey Merritt just made history as the first Filipino model to ever walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Set to be produced live in New York City on November 8 (and air on TV a few weeks later), this 22-year-old could not be more excited to join some of the most iconic models — both past and present — by walking across that famous runway in the lingerie spectacular. But who is this gorgeous history-making Victoria's Secret Fashion Show newcomer? From the path that took her to VS to her decision to embrace her stretch marks, here are seven things you need to know ahead of the show.
Instagram.com/@kelseymerritt1/8Kelsey Merritt is the first-ever Filipino model to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. She announced the news on Instagram, writing, “WE DID IT PHILIPPINES!!!!!! 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭 What an honor it is to be the first Filipino to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2018!!! Ahhhhhh I can’t believe this!! Thank you soooo much @johndavidpfeiffer, @monica.mitro, @10magazine, and @ed_razek for making my dream come true!! ❤️❤️❤️.”
Getty Images2/8Her number one man is 2-time Olympic gold medalist Conor Dwyer from the USA Swim team, though there’s no word on whether swimming is part of Kelsey’s #trainlikeanangel fitness routine!
Instagram.com/@kelseymerritt3/8Before getting the official acceptance into the show’s killer cast, Kelsey had to go to two separate castings. She told Preview, “The first was a regular casting—they took polaroids of me in lingerie. Then I got a callback the day after. For the callback, they asked me to go on set with Victoria’s Secret and do like a trial shoot with their whole team.” She had previously shared a pic on Instagram of the door sign at the studio, writing, “On set today. Somebody pinch me…”
Getty Images4/8In May of 2017, Kelsey graduated from Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City, Philippines with a degree in communications. Upon graduation, she shared on Instagram, “I can't believe I'm actually graduating in a few days!! I've been waiting for this moment to come for so long! I can say that one of the best decisions I've made so far is to finish my degree instead of stopping it halfway,” discussing her offer from a modeling agency while she was only a Sophomore in college.
Instagram.com/@kelseymerritt5/8While she now calls New York City home (as of October of last year), she has signed with agencies all around the world, including Supreme, Women Management Milan, Wilhelmina, and Nomad.
GC Images6/8Kelsey is a huge advocate for body positivity, which is more important than ever — especially in environments like that of Victoria’s Secret, where the lack of representation has drawn scrutiny. She takes to Instagram on the regular to celebrate parts of her own body that she loves. In one post, she shared a photo of her stretch marks, writing, “Stretch marks are sexy. Say it with me ❤️.”
Instagram.com/@kelseymerritt7/8Though Kelsey is making history with her casting, she’s faced much backlash in the last few weeks since the announcement, with Twitter users writing comments such as “It would not be that difficult for her to get cast as VS as she fits the standards: tall, skinny, and white.”. In response, Kelsey replied, “I was born in the Philippines and I grew up in Pampanga. I finished my schooling in Manila before I migrated to the U.S. last year. My blood is more Filipino than those who call themselves “pure” but have never set foot in the Philippines. I love my country and I’m proud of where I came from.”
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