Kelsey Merritt felt self-conscious around English-speaking classmates in Ateneo

There are people who feel like Kelsey Merritt doesn't look Filipino enough, but make no mistakes: Kelsey can walk the talk... or in this case, she can talk the talk. 

In a New York Post article published on November 4, Kelsey shares her sense of accomplishment over booking a highly coveted spot in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and how far she's has come. 

She began going to open casting calls when she was 15, but the Pampanga-born model was determined to finish her education first before committing fully to the fashion industry. 

Kelsey in previous social media posts and interviews has stressed that she's proud of her decision to prioritize school — even if she struggled a little. 

Coming from the province and speaking Tagalog as her first language, Kelsey in the NY Post article revealed that she was very self-conscious about her accent.

“I was insecure because [my classmates] were so posh. I was never comfortable. Whenever I spoke Filipino, they’d talk back to me in English . . . I was a little embarrassed about my English because of my accent, but [now I know] there’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” she was quoted as saying.

In an interview with GMA News Online on October 12, fellow model and reigning Miss World Katarina Rodriguez testified that Kelsey is as Pinay as it gets.

"That girl used to ride the bus by herself. She would commute from Pampanga to here in Manila for school. Her English was even a bit broken sometimes," the beauty queen shared.

The questions about how Filipino Kelsey really is has shed some light on the politics of being biracial. It seems complicated and people will debate about identity ad nauseam. 

Kelsey keeps it simple. She knows where she comes from and she's sharing her success with the people who helped her get to where she is right now.

“Victoria’s Secret is such a big deal in the Philippines. So I feel like this was something I could give back to [Filipinos],” she said. 

She's got her wings and she's taking us with her as she soars! Go, girl! — AT, GMA News