From the Philippines to the Runway: Kelsey Merritt's Story in Her Own Words

Journey to Modeling & Identity

• 🇵🇭 Kelsey Merritt discusses her biracial identity, feeling like the "white girl" in the Philippines and the "Asian girl" in New York, and not fully accepted by either culture.
• 🧠 Her strict Filipino upbringing instilled strong boundaries and a guarded nature, shaping her public persona.
• 🚀 She became the first Filipina Victoria's Secret model and Sports Illustrated model, a dream she had manifested years prior, but faced criticism for not being "Filipina enough."
• 💡 Kelsey emphasizes the importance of manifestation and believing in oneself, referencing her tweet about walking the VS show years before it happened.

Evolving Modeling Industry

• 📈 The modeling industry has shifted significantly due to social media, moving from agency-controlled careers to model-driven personal branding.
• ✨ Her "ambiguous" look allowed her to fit diverse roles, benefiting from the industry's growing acceptance of diversity at the time.
• 💰 She highlights the misconception that high fashion models are often financially struggling, while commercial modeling provided more stability and income.
• 🏠 Through her career in modeling and digital media, Kelsey achieved financial independence, purchasing a house in LA and a Birkin bag.

Cultural Influences & Personal Growth

• 💡 Kelsey addresses Filipino beauty standards, which favor lighter skin and promote whitening products, a practice she refuses to endorse.
• 🇵🇭 She shares insights into Filipino superstitions and the unique linguistic blend of English and Spanish in the local dialect.
• 🗣️ She recounts overcoming insecurities about her English accent, adapting her pronunciation over time due to feedback.
• 🧠 Kelsey is actively working on being more comfortable with public speaking and sharing her authentic self online, despite her naturally private nature.

Passions & Style

• 🌊 Her passion for surfing began at 16, describing it as a meditative experience that forces her to be present and calm amidst challenging waves.
• ⛷️ She also enjoys skiing and other active sports, embracing the student mindset to learn new skills and overcome initial difficulties.
• 👗 Kelsey describes her personal style as classic and timeless, advocating for "gatekeeping" fashion trends to encourage individuality rather than imitation.
• ✨ She shares her favorite beauty treatments, including Clear and Brilliant for skin texture and M Sculpt for glute toning, which she considers a personal "gatekept" secret.