Kelsey Merritt

Kelsey Merritt is an American-Filipino model who shattered barriers as the first Filipino model to walk the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and appear in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She has built a career defined by high-fashion runway shows in New York, Paris, and Milan, and campaigns for brands like DKNY, Calvin Klein, and Polo Ralph Lauren. With over 1.5 million Instagram followers, she uses her platform to advocate for Asian representation in fashion. Merritt's fresh, girl-next-door appeal and trailblazing milestones have made her a celebrated figure in the industry, and she continues to book editorial work and brand partnerships as of 2026.[edit]

Kelsey Merritt grew up in Pampanga, a province north of Manila, with her Filipino mother and American father. Her mixed heritage shaped her identity early on. As a teenager, she posted photos on social media that caught the eye of local modeling scouts. She signed with Mercator Model Management in Manila while studying Fashion Design and Merchandising at De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde. Merritt balanced classes with test shoots and small editorial gigs for Philippine magazines. Her big break came when she submitted photos to an open casting call for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. She was selected for the 2017 issue, becoming the first Filipino model ever featured. That moment pushed her to leave college and pursue modeling full-time, moving to New York City to chase international opportunities.[edit]

Merritt's Sports Illustrated debut in 2017 opened doors immediately. She appeared in the issue again in 2018 and 2019, building a strong relationship with the brand. In November 2018, she made history as the first Filipino model to walk the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, sharing the runway with legends like Adriana Lima and Candice Swanepoel. That same year, she landed campaigns with DKNY and Calvin Klein. By 2019, she added Polo Ralph Lauren to her roster and walked runways for designers in New York, Paris, and Milan. Her editorial work expanded to Vogue Philippines, Harper's Bazaar, and Elle. Merritt also appeared in music videos and made television cameos, though modeling remained her focus. In the early 2020s, she turned her attention to advocacy, speaking out about the need for more Asian faces in fashion. She continues to book campaigns and maintain a strong social media presence as of 2026.[edit]

Merritt's public persona blends high-fashion polish with a relatable, girl-next-door warmth. She is often described as having a fresh and natural look, which has helped her land both editorial and commercial work. Media outlets celebrate her as a trailblazer for Filipino representation, frequently using words like history-making and groundbreaking. On Instagram, she shares career milestones, travel photos, and body-positive messages. Her fans, often called simply supporters, engage actively with her posts, celebrating her achievements. Merritt's social media voice is professional but approachable, and she occasionally opens up about the challenges of being an Asian model in a Western-dominated industry.[edit]

Kelsey Merritt's supporters have never organized under a formal moniker like the Swifties or BeyHive, preferring to identify simply as her followers across Instagram and TikTok. While she commands nearly two million eyes on social media with high engagement rates, there is no evidence of fan-funded campaigns, subway ads, or specific rituals that define her community. The collective energy around her work manifests primarily through shared national pride in the Philippines regarding her historic runway achievements and widespread discussion surrounding her personal life, particularly the recent split from actor Chace Crawford which sparked global tabloid coverage. Her fans celebrate her trailblazing status as the first Filipino model to walk for Victoria's Secret, treating this milestone as the foundational legend of her career rather than a viral moment fueled by crowd disruption. Unlike artists with decades of touring lore, Merritt's narrative remains rooted in singular professional breakthroughs and the relatable documentation of her lifestyle updates. As of August 2026, iFANN has evaluated Kelsey Merritt, but she does not currently hold a placement in the published Global Top 1,000 rankings or any scope-specific list.[edit]

Merritt was discovered through an open casting call for Sports Illustrated rather than a traditional agency submission, a fact she often notes when discussing her unexpected entry into the industry. She left college before completing her degree in Fashion Design and Merchandising to pursue modeling full-time, driven by a belief that her future lay on the runway. Her father is American and her mother is Filipino, a biracial heritage she frequently highlights in conversations about diversity and representation. Her first modeling contract was secured with Mercator Model Management in the Philippines, launching a career that would soon see her cited as an inspiration by fellow Filipino models. A defining moment in her cultural mythology occurred in 2018 when she made history as the first Filipino model to walk the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, a story that remains the primary reference point for her legacy. More recently, her relationship with actor Chace Crawford generated significant media attention until reports confirmed their split in July 2026 after dating for over a year. In August 2026, she revisited her origins by recreating her Victoria's Secret audition makeup look for a Vogue video, cementing the connection between her humble beginnings and current status.[edit]

Merritt's mother is Filipino and her father is American. She has not publicly shared the names or occupations of her parents, nor does she have any known siblings. She grew up in Pampanga, Philippines, in a mixed-heritage household. As of 2026, she is not married and has no children. She keeps her family life private and rarely posts about relatives on social media.[edit]

Merritt has worked with photographers Yu Tsai and Gilles Bensimon on editorial and campaign shoots. She shared the Victoria's Secret runway with Angels like Adriana Lima and Candice Swanepoel. Her Sports Illustrated issues featured alongside models including Kate Upton and Chrissy Teigen.[edit]

Merritt has kept her romantic life largely private. Early in her career, around 2017-2018, she was linked to a Filipino individual whose name was not widely reported; the relationship ended before her international breakthrough. In 2019, brief rumors surfaced connecting her to an unnamed celebrity, but no credible confirmation emerged. She was reportedly in a relationship with a Filipino businessman from 2020 to 2021, though details remain scarce. As of 2026, Merritt is reportedly single and has not publicly confirmed any romantic involvement in recent years. She has no children from any relationship.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Kelsey Merritt's net worth is estimated at $1.4 Million as of 2026. This financial standing reflects earnings derived primarily from her extensive modeling contracts, including fees for runway shows and major campaigns with Victoria's Secret, Sports Illustrated, DKNY, Calvin Klein, and Polo Ralph Lauren. Additional income streams include brand endorsements on Instagram, where she commands an estimated $5,000 to $15,000 per sponsored post. Despite her steady growth since her 2017 breakthrough, Merritt has not launched any known business ventures or publicly invested in real estate. She remains relatively early in her career trajectory compared to established supermodels, yet her consistent booking of editorial work and partnerships continues to build her wealth.[edit]