From the Philippines to the Runway: Kelsey Merritt's Story in Her Own Words 214p13

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. Follow Kelsey: https://www.instagram.com/kelseymerritt/  Shop my look from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/1738912  Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 282e8