The Victoria’s Secret fashion show went down a few days ago, and unfortunately for its first Filipina model, the journey to the catwalk hasn’t been obstacle-free.

Kelsey Merritt, whose mother is Filipina and father is white American, strutted the runway last week for the annual event. While the model has received great praise from many other proud Filipinos, she’s also been targeted for her multiracial heritage.

Ever since she announced she’d be walking in the fashion show, critics have claimed she’s too “white looking” to be considered a win for diversity.

My only issue with Kelsey Merritt, is that you can almost see that she’s pure American. It would not be that difficult for her to get cast as VS as she fits the ff standards: tall, skinny, and white. Why not hire Justine Biticon? Why didn’t Janine walk the VS show? — Kristina Monarc ♡ (@prymchia) September 8, 2018

As much as I’m happy for Kelsey Merritt that she got into VS, I just wish she looked more like the average Filipina. She’s beautiful, yeah, but when y’all say “first Filipia VS model”, I kinda wish she wasn’t so... white looking?



(thread) — ᜊᜒᜎ ᜑᜓᜎ᜔ᜌ 🎵 (@itsbellajulia) September 9, 2018

Merritt has responded to the criticism, telling Teen Vogue that “People will always have their opinion of you despite who you are.”

“I would love to tell them that I am just me,” she said shortly before the show.

Merritt also addressed her haters earlier in a tweet that translates to, “I was born in the Philippines and I grew up in Pampanga. I finished my school in Manila before I moved to the US last year. My blood is more Filipino than the ‘pure’ who have never set foot in the Philippines.”

Pinanganak ako sa Pilipinas at lumaki ako sa Pampanga. Tinapos ko ang pagaaral ko sa Manila bago ako lumipat sa US last year. Mas pinoy pa dugo ko kesa sa mga “pure” na hindi pa nakatapak sa Pilinipas. I love my country and I’m proud of where I came from. ❤️ — Kelsey Merritt (@kelsmerritt) September 9, 2018

Since Merrit’s casting was announced, several people came to her defense, including Filipina TV host and model Bianca Gonzalez.

Wild.. are there really hate tweets towards proud Pinay Kelsey Merritt for not being "Pinay-looking enough" to "represent" Filipinos at the anticipated Victoria's Secret Fashion Show? Talaga, pati yun iba-bash? — Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) September 10, 2018

Wait lang ah. Filipinos are too TOXIC. You praise lighter skinned Filipinos other than the darker ones yet MOST of you bash Kelsey Merritt. "Obviously she's 'white passing'" "She's not even pure Filipino."

Bullying dark skinned people and bashing your own kind? THAT'S TOO MUCH — Keisha Louise Angelo (@seize_louise) November 10, 2018

In the wake of @kelsmerritt’s success in VS hit with responses that she’s obviously ‘mestiza’ and ‘white-passing’: being mixed race does not diminish you being of either race!!! You can equally be proud of whichever heritage you come from. You’re not a bad Asian for being mixed — Jacqueline Wallace (@jacqueawallace) September 13, 2018

Merritt said she hopes the fashion industry will open its eyes to the beauty across Southeast Asia.

“I would love to see not just more Filipino but also more Southeast Asian models in the fashion industry,” she told Teen Vogue. “If you ever visit the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and other countries, the women are so beautiful and charismatic. With ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ being such a big hit, I am hoping the industry picks up more and more on the richness and culture of my people.”

“Crazy Rich Asians” star Henry Golding, whose father is British and mother is from the Iban tribe in Sarawak, also dealt with similar judgment when news of his casting spread and some critics said he wasn’t “Asian enough” for the role. But, as the actor previously told HuffPost, “there’s no litmus test for how Asian you need to be to be considered Asian. I’ve lived more than half my life in Asia.”

“The fact is, I’m half-British, half-Malaysian. For an Asian who’s grown up in America to be commenting on how Asian I am when they’ve never left America ... does that make them more or less Asian than me?” Golding said. “When it comes to Eurasians, are we not allowed to embrace either one of our cultures we feel more attached to? Or decide within ourselves that I am Asian and I am proud to be Asian?”