Photo via Instagram
White passing-it’s a term that many multiracial people find insulting. The insinuation is that because you look White, you’re not really a person of color.
Victoria Secret model Kelsey Merritt finds herself pushing back against that label.
Just two months ago, she celebrated being the first Filipino to work in the Victoria Secret Fashion Show.
Late this past week, her dream came true and she walked the runway for Victoria’s Secet.
An overwhelming majority of comments on social media from Filipinos applauded that achievement.
One that caused a stir raised the issue of Merritt’s White attributes.
My only issue with Kelsey Merritt, is that you can almost see that she’s pure American. It would not be that difficult for her to get cast as VS as she fits the ff standards: tall, skinny, and white. Why not hire Justine Biticon? Why didn’t Janine walk the VS show?
— Kristina Monarc ♡ (@prymchia) September 8, 2018
Striking back in Tagalog on Twitter, Merritt wrote “: ‘I was born in the Philippines and I grew up in Pampanga. I finished my school in Manila before I moved to the US last year. My blood is more Filipino than the ‘pure’ who have never set foot in the Philippines,” reported the Daily Mail.
Kelsey’s mom is Filipino. Her father is White.
“People will always have their opinion of you despite of who you are,” she said to Teen Vogue. “I would love to tell them that I am just me.”
Most seem to agree with her.
FIRST EVER Filipina to walk for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Kelsey Merritt. history, beauty, grace, pride and sexiness. #VSFashionShow2018 #VSFS2018 ? pic.twitter.com/H0W3tuMOVT
— simon (@simonmaicon) November 8, 2018
Our girl working it on the runway ✨ #VSFashionShow #KelseyMerritt pic.twitter.com/6MXlMFDGvc
— Khesh Santos (@kheshisantos) November 9, 2018
FINALLY! ✨? Here she is, Filipino pride Kelsey Merritt at #VSFS2018 ?? ctto #KelseyMadeItToVS #KelseyMerrittVSFS2018 @kelsmerritt @kelseymdaily pic.twitter.com/YuvhRD9XUi
— RachelPetersFilipinas ?? (@RP4MU) November 9, 2018
The Victoria Secrets Fashion Show is scheduled to air December 2 on ABC.
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