Social media influencer Gracie Bon has publicly defended her decision to pose near earthquake rubble in Panama. This followed heavy online criticism that she turned a national disaster into a photoshoot. Bon, who has 11.9 million Instagram followers, shared photographs on Sunday, October 11, showing the severe destruction from powerful tremors in the country’s southern region.
The earthquakes hit on Friday, October 9. According to the Associated Press, they registered magnitudes of 7.7 and 6.6. The natural disaster prompted evacuations, caused buildings to collapse, and led the Panamanian government to declare a state of emergency. Bon captioned her Instagram carousel with messages urging followers to support affected residents and appreciate human life. However, her inclusion of posed images among the wreckage drew sharp backlash.
Backlash Over Posed Photos and Social Media Criticism
Shortly after the images went live, users criticized the presentation of the disaster. Commenters accused the model of using the tragedy for personal engagement, questioning the appropriateness of standing near destroyed infrastructure.
One commenter pointed out a direct personal connection to the site. They wrote that the destroyed home belonged to their grandmother and stated that no permission was given for the photography. Other users accused the influencer of prioritizing social media likes and visibility over genuine assistance.
Gracie Bon Responds to Critics and Explains Her Intentions
In response, Bon published a video via her Instagram Stories and main profile to clarify her visit. She maintained that her objective was to document the devastation, encourage public donations, and help affected families rebuild their homes.
Addressing why she featured herself in the pictures instead of posting landscapes alone, Bon argued that her presence increased algorithmic reach. She defended the composition by stating that featuring herself helped the post circulate more widely, drawing greater attention to the needs of displaced citizens.
"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," Bon explained in her video response. "I'm not in a photoshoot or posing, I'm telling you: look, this is what Panama really looks like!"
She emphasized that the community needed solidarity rather than division. Bon stated that her efforts aim to help specific families with reconstruction projects, urging the public to focus on relief operations rather than policing social media presentation.
The Impact of the October 2024 Earthquakes in Panama
The controversy unfolded against the backdrop of a major emergency response across Panama. Government assessments and updates from officials, including President José Raúl Mulino, detailed widespread infrastructural damage, thousands of affected individuals, and hundreds of inspected residential properties. Emergency declarations allowed authorities to allocate response funds, deliver critical supplies like drinking water and food, and stabilize damaged historical sites, such as the bell tower collapse at St John the Baptist Cathedral in Penonomé.
While discussions regarding the ethics of disaster influencing continue, local authorities and relief groups remain focused on long-term recovery and distributing aid to vulnerable communities impacted by the seismic event.
