Victoria's Secret — APA NEWS/FEATURES

Supermodel Kelsey Merritt can add Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model to her rapidly increasing list of credits. Merritt is one of several beauties who have made the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2019 rookie class. She joins New England Patriots cheerleader Camille Kostek, plus size model Hunter McGrady and Bret Michaels’ daughter Raine Michael. Kelsey auditioned for the magazine this past October saying,

“I really want to be a Sports Illustrated model because I love how confident the models are and I want to show everyone who is looking at these pictures and reading the magazine that they can also be confident in their own skin.”

The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue is scheduled to come out in May.

Merritt also shared several behind the scenes videos of her photoshoot for Sports Illustrated on her Instagram Account.

A little #bts from the photo I posted earlier 💞 #SISwim @si_swimsuit 💋

213.2k Likes, 2,599 Comments - Kelsey Merritt (@kelseymerritt) on Instagram: "A little #bts from the photo I posted earlier 💞 #SISwim @si_swimsuit 💋"

Kelsey Merritt will be the first Filipina model to walk the runway at the Victoria’s Secret fashion show happening later this year. 21 year old Merritt is no stranger to posing for Victoria’s Secret. This past May she booked her first shoot with the popular lingerie company for their active wear line.

Merritt, who was born in the Philippines and graduated last year from Ateneo De Manila University with a BA in Communications juggled going to college in the Philippines and modeling around the world for several years. Upon receiving her degree last Summer, on May 2017 she posted on her Instagram account:

“God knows how hard it was to constantly fly back and forth New York and London while still in school. I had to miss classes, but still make sure that I was on top of everything. At the same time, I had no right to complain I was having a hard time because I was blessed with work. I was living my dream! People often ask me how I managed to do it, and all I say is that as long as you have your priorities straight and manage your time well, then it really can be done.”

Kelsey Merritt’s other modeling credits include projects with Maybelline, Uniqlo, Kashieca, Palmolive and Vera Wang’s White Bridal Collection.

Although Merritt will be the first Filipina model to walk the Victoria’s Secret Fashion show runway, Janine Tugonon became the first Filipino to be featured in a Victoria’s Secret promotional material when she appeared in the VS Pink Line. However, Tugonon did not make the cut to appear in the 2016 fashion show.