Influencer Sparks Outrage by Posing in Panama Earthquake Ruins
Gracie Bon's social media posts amid disaster zones draw accusations of insensitivity and self-promotion.
Panamanian influencer Gracie Bon is facing widespread criticism for posting photos of herself modeling in front of homes destroyed by a recent 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Panama. The images, shared on social media, depict Bon posing amidst the rubble of collapsed structures, a move that many users have deemed insensitive and exploitative.
The earthquake, which struck the Central American nation, devastated nearly 900 homes. Amidst the destruction, Bon shared photographs of herself in the affected areas, prompting immediate backlash online. Critics accused her of capitalizing on a national crisis and making the disaster about herself.
"It’s one thing to report on the situation in the country, but quite another to create content based on other people’s misfortunes!" one Instagram user commented. Another user questioned the necessity of her presence in the photos, stating, "Momma, don’t you understand that for the message to get through, you don’t need to be in the picture?"
Bon, who has a significant following, defended her actions, stating that her intention was not to pose but to convey the reality of the earthquake's aftermath. She claimed in a subsequent post that she aimed to help mobilize resources and assist families in rebuilding their homes.
To support her claims, Bon also posted a picture of herself carrying a case of water to disaster victims and stated that she was donating to reconstruction efforts. However, some social media users remained critical, arguing that providing aid does not require publicizing every action for personal gain.
"When everything you do is turned into advertising for your own benefit, that’s what bothers many people," one user wrote. "You can do good things without having to constantly post everything on social media for attention."
Bon had previously garnered attention for criticizing car manufacturers for not accommodating her figure in their sports cars, highlighting past instances of her using public attention for personal causes.