‘Outrage’: Influencer responds after facing major backlash over earthquake photo
Social media star Gracie Bon has responded to backlash she’s faced after appearing to pose among the rubble from Panama’s devastating earthquake.
The 29-year-old model, who boasts 11.9 million followers online, said the post was taken out of context after she shared photos of herself amid the damage left by the powerful 7.7 earthquake that struck Panama last week.
Influencer Gracie Bon said she was “not posing” in her photos. Instagram/@graciebon
“Context: All the news in my country were showing a perfect city after an 8.0 earthquake, but the reality was other for the countryside” wrote Bon in an Instagram statement on Wednesday.
The statement referred to a tabloid headline that named Bon as being “ripped for posing” amid the disaster damage.
“I went there to give donations and also took pictures of how it really looks. The reality, not the cute part that they were trying to show.”
Bon, who lives in the US but was born and raised in Panama City, continued: “I will continue helping these families. No lost were lost, but they lost their homes and everything they had worked their entire lives for.
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“I wanted you all to see the realty of what is happening in panama, and I guess that mission was accomplished.
“Now, please help,” she asked of her fans. “These families need us.”
Critics slammed the star for seemingly turning the natural disaster into a photo opportunity. Instagram/@graciebon
When Bon posted the original photo on Monday, critics accused the star of seemingly turning the natural disaster into a photo opportunity.
In one of the photos, the model wore a white top and jeans as she held her hands above her head.
In another, she is crouching among the wreckage.
The model said she included herself in the photos to draw the attention from her followers. Instagram/@graciebon
“The reality of my country 💔🇵🇦 after the earthquake, we’re reminded that material things can be replaced, but life is priceless,” she captioned the original photos.
The next day Bon spoke out about unexpected response she received as she defended her photos.
“There are people who get more outraged by a photo than by seeing families lose everything,” she wrote.
“I did not pose. I simply decided to post a picture of myself in it versus one with no [picture] because it will give my followers a better reach and reaction and I can help rebuild a house for a family.”
The influencer defended her decision to appear in the photos. Instagram/@graciebon
The powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Panama on October 10 prompting evacuations across the capital.
Footage revealed buildings collapsing and locals rushing to evacuate Panama City.
Bon revealed she had donated money to the cause with plans to find two families affected by the disaster and rebuild their houses.
Further videos show her stocking up on donations including water, rice and canned goods for local families.
She called on her fans to “extend help to those who need it”.
