{"id":927427,"date":"2026-10-14T04:42:14","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T04:42:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/927427\/"},"modified":"2026-10-14T04:42:14","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T04:42:14","slug":"outrage-influencer-gracie-bon-responds-after-facing-major-backlash-over-panama-earthquake-photo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/927427\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Outrage\u2019: Influencer Gracie Bon responds after facing major backlash over Panama earthquake photo"},"content":{"rendered":"

Social media star Gracie Bon has responded to backlash she\u2019s faced after appearing to pose among the rubble from Panama\u2019s devastating earthquake<\/a>. <\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Influencer Gracie Bon said she was \u201cnot posing\u201d in her photos. \u00a0Instagram\/@graciebon<\/p>\n

\u201cContext: All the news in my country were showing a perfect city after an 8.0 earthquake, but the reality was other for the countryside\u201d wrote Bon in an Instagram<\/a> statement on Wednesday. <\/p>\n

The statement referred to a tabloid headline that named Bon as being \u201cripped for posing\u201d amid the disaster damage. <\/p>\n

\u201cI 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.\u201d <\/p>\n

Bon, who lives in the US but was born and raised in Panama City, continued: \u201cI will continue helping these families. No lost were lost, but they lost their homes and everything they had worked their entire lives for.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted you all to see the realty of what is happening in panama, and I guess that mission was accomplished. <\/p>\n

\u201cNow, please help,\u201d she asked of her fans. \u201cThese families need us.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Critics slammed the star for seemingly turning the natural disaster into a photo opportunity. \u00a0Instagram\/@graciebon<\/p>\n

When Bon posted the original photo on Monday, critics accused the star of seemingly turning the natural disaster into a photo opportunity. <\/p>\n

In one of the photos, the model wore a white top and jeans as she held her hands above her head. <\/p>\n

In another, she is crouching among the wreckage.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The model said she included herself in the photos to draw the attention from her followers. \u00a0Instagram\/@graciebon<\/p>\n

\u201cThe reality of my country \ud83d\udc94\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\udde6 after the earthquake, we\u2019re reminded that material things can be replaced, but life is priceless,\u201d she captioned the original photos. <\/p>\n

The next day Bon spoke out about unexpected response she received as she defended her photos. <\/p>\n

\u201cThere are people who get more outraged by a photo than by seeing families lose everything,\u201d she wrote. <\/p>\n

\u201cI 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.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The influencer defended her decision to appear in the photos. \u00a0Instagram\/@graciebon<\/p>\n

The powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Panama on October 10 prompting evacuations across the capital. <\/p>\n

Footage revealed buildings collapsing and locals rushing to evacuate Panama City.<\/p>\n

Bon revealed she had donated money to the cause with plans to find two families affected by the disaster and rebuild their houses. <\/p>\n

Further videos show her stocking up on donations including water, rice and canned goods for local families. <\/p>\n

She called on her fans to \u201cextend help to those who need it\u201d. <\/p>\n