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

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In her first podcast ever, model Kelsey Merritt sits down with Valeria for a refreshingly honest conversation about identity, boundaries, and ambition. From growing up in a strict Filipino household to becoming the first Filipina Victoria’s Secret model, Kelsey shares the full story behind her calm, polished image and what people often get wrong. They talk about the emotional impact of cultural expectations and beauty standards in the Philippines and Eastern Europe, the real dynamics of the modeling industry, and what it’s like to build a public persona while staying true to yourself. Kelsey also opens up about her love of surfing, gatekeeping style trends, and why she’s learning to speak up more in this new chapter of her life.

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What We talked About:
00:00 Being private and perfectionist
03:14 Filipino upbringing and boundaries
07:50 Being The First Filipina Victoria’s Secret Runway Model
10:55 Biracial identity and criticism in the Philippines
14:59 Manifestation and big breaks
18:02 First house and Birkin
21:45 Modeling and social media
28:02 Beauty standards in the Philippines
30:20 Style evolution and gatekeeping
36:47 Rapid Fire: Surfing, skiing, and stillness


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