Gracie Bon defended her earthquake photos after critics accused her of drawing attention to herself amid Panama’s destruction.
The Panamanian influencer shared photographs of herself near damaged buildings and rubble following the October 9, 2026, earthquakes. Some Instagram commenters questioned whether the images placed too much emphasis on her rather than the families affected.
Bon said she visited the area to deliver donations and show the conditions residents faced. She rejected suggestions that the visit was a staged photo shoot.
Photos Drew Questions About Their Focus
The photographs appeared on Instagram on October 11, according to International Business Times UK. Bon accompanied them with a message about appreciating life, supporting loved ones and helping people affected by the disaster.
Some commenters argued that appearing prominently in the photographs distracted from that message. Others questioned the decision to pose against a backdrop of damaged homes.
The comments show criticism of the post, but they do not establish how the wider public viewed her visit or prove her motives.
Bon Says She Wanted to Encourage Help
Responding through Instagram Stories, Bon denied conducting a photo shoot and said she wanted followers to see the damage in affected communities, according to Dominican broadcaster CDN.
She argued that including herself in the photographs could help the posts reach more people and bring attention to families who needed assistance.
CDN also reported that, before sharing the disputed photographs, Bon posted videos about visiting affected areas, buying and delivering supplies, and identifying donation collection points.
That reporting provides context beyond the photographs themselves. However, the available accounts do not establish the total value of her donations or how many families received assistance.
Earthquakes Damaged Homes and Public Buildings
The controversy followed two powerful earthquakes that struck Panama on October 9. The Associated Press reported magnitudes of 7.7 and 6.6, followed by repeated aftershocks.
Panama declared a state of emergency on October 10 as communities assessed the damage and authorities organized assistance, according to the Associated Press.
Reports described damage to homes, schools and other infrastructure. Bon’s posts brought attention to those conditions, while also prompting questions about how influencers present disaster relief work.
Influencer Says Support Will Continue
Bon said she would continue sending donations and helping affected residents, according to CDN’s account of her response.
Her explanation addresses why she says she shared the images. The criticism centers on how those images presented the emergency, particularly whether the focus remained on people who had lost homes and needed support.