Swimsuit

7 Phenomenal Photos of Fashion Icon Kelsey Merritt in Great Exuma, Bahamas

The Filipino-American model was photographed for the magazine three years in a row.

Ananya Panchal

Kelsey Merritt was photographed by Laretta Houston in Great Exuma, Bahamas.

Kelsey Merritt was photographed by Laretta Houston in Great Exuma, Bahamas.

Three-time SI Swimsuit star Kelsey Merritt made a splash with her debut in 2019 in Great Exuma, Bahamas. She returned to the magazine the following two years when she was photographed by Kate Powers in the Dominican Republic and Ben Watts in Hollywood, Fla.

The Philippines-born model entered the industry when she was 15 and is best known for her stint as a Maybelline ambassador and her time as a Victoria’s Secret model and angel—in addition to her influential fashion sense. The 26-year-old, who just purchased her first home in Los Angeles, has built her platform be an aesthetic grid full of style inspiration. 

“The fact that I am living my dream job and working with my dream clients continuously motivates me. I never take for granted the work I have always dreamed of doing,” Merritt told SI Swimsuit. “Dream hard, work hard. Dream anything you want but also put in the work. Be patient. Things will fall into place if they are meant to be. You have no idea what your life will be like in nine years.”

The travel enthusiast is an alumna of the prestigious Ateneo de Manila University, where she earned her degree in communications at the age of 20. SI Swimsuit’s editor in chief MJ Day said she was impressed by Merritt’s dedication to pursuing her education before modeling—and “brains and beauty” are the magazine’s favorite combination.

Below are seven of our favorite photos from her 2019 SI Swimsuit debut with Laretta Houston.

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Ananya Panchal
ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Before joining SI Swimsuit in 2022, she worked at Bustle, the San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. When she is not writing or doom-scrolling on social media, Panchal can be found playing sudoku, rewatching One Tree Hill or trying new restaurants. She's also a coffee and chocolate (separately) enthusiast. Panchal has a bachelor’s in communications and journalism from Boston University.

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