Kelsey Merritt embraces natural tan: 'I will never promote whitening products'

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Kelsey Merritt is not one to be ashamed of her tan skin. On the contrary, she's proud of it.

In Valeria Lipovetsky's latest vlog interview, the Filipino-American model talked about the beauty standards in the Philippines.

Kelsey shared that she grew up in the Philippines, where people with lighter or fairer skin were considered beautiful.

"The whole country is obsessed with getting lighter and hiding from the sun because it's also associated with class, like the [fairer] you are, the richer you are," she said.

"Growing up, I was [fairer], but I think I'm most beautiful when I'm tan, and that's very different from how people think back home," she added.

Kelsey also said she had a clear stand on embracing her tan skin when modeling, saying, "I will never promote whitening products."

"I think Filipinos are so beautiful in their own natural skin color, and it's always been my thing." 

In April, Kelsey and her rumored boyfriend, Chace Crawford, attended Tiffany & Co.'s Blue Book Gala together at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Earlier, the two were spotted kissing in New York City. However, the two haven't publicly confirmed the status of their relationship.

Kelsey and Chace first sparked dating rumors in January when they were spotted together having coffee in Los Angeles, California.

Kelsey quickly rose to fame internationally after she became a Victoria's Secret angel and modeled for the brand in 2018. A year later, she posed for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition. —Hermes Joy Tunac/JCB, GMA Integrated News