Social media personality and model Gracie Bon has defended sharing photographs of herself amid earthquake rubble in Panama after critics questioned her decision to feature herself in images of the destruction. The Panamanian influencer said appearing in the photographs could help draw attention to the disaster, rather than divert it from the damage.
Bon posted the photographs on Instagram on 11 October 2026, two days after the earthquake struck. She said she had visited affected areas to make donations and argued that including herself in the images would help them reach a wider audience than photographs of the destruction alone.
Explaining Her Earthquake Photos
The photographs showed Bon standing near rubble in areas affected by the earthquake. In a translated caption, she urged her followers to appreciate life, remain grateful for what they have and support those in need.
'The reality of my country after the earthquake. We must remember that material things can be replaced, but life is priceless,' she wrote. Bon added: 'Let us live in the present, be grateful for what we have and extend help to those who need it today. Stay strong, Panama, we will get through this.'
The post attracted criticism from some social media users, who questioned whether including personal photographs was appropriate amid the destruction. The reaction centred on whether her presence helped bring attention to the disaster or risked shifting the focus towards the influencer herself.
Bon subsequently addressed the criticism in her Instagram Stories, explaining why she had chosen to appear in the photographs rather than share pictures of the damage alone. She argued that her social media following could give the images greater visibility.
'I'm Not Posing,' Model Insists
'These photos are the reality of the country. Many news programmes don't show it,' Bon said, according to local reporting. She explained that she believed including herself would help the images reach more people on her social media accounts.
'I decided to appear in my photos because I went to make donations and, if I appear in my photos, they have better reach on my social media than if I posted the images by themselves,' she continued. 'I'm not in a photoshoot or posing, I'm telling you: look, this is what Panama really looks like!'
Bon maintained that her decision was intended to amplify the photographs' reach rather than make the disaster about herself. She also reportedly denied making money from the situation. However, her claims about donating supplies and not earning money from the disaster have not been independently verified.
A massive magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Panama, shaking buildings more than 100 miles away and prompting evacuations, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
— CBS News (@CBSNews) October 9, 2026
Tremors were felt in Panama City, where buildings shook and people evacuated into the streets. https://t.co/46kFq5wpSV pic.twitter.com/jsr5g6uLDv
What Happened in Panama
The earthquake struck on 9 October 2026, prompting Panama's government to declare a national state of emergency the following day. By 11 October, at least 27 people had been injured and nearly 900 homes damaged, according to emergency authorities cited by Reuters.
The reported magnitude differed between sources. Reuters cited a magnitude of 7.7, while the Pan American Health Organization reported 7.5 based on information from Panama's Institute of Geosciences. The figures reflect reports from different agencies rather than a confirmed resolution of the discrepancy.
The controversy has put the focus on Bon's decision to appear in photographs documenting the destruction. While she argues that her presence helps the images reach a wider audience, the criticism raises a question that remains unresolved: whether the added visibility benefits those affected by the earthquake or shifts attention towards the person sharing the images.
