Once upon a time, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was one of the annual pinnacle showcases of modeling, fashion, and lingerie couture. It was the show for some of the modeling industry’s most recognizable talents — Heidi Klum, Bella Hadid, and Tyra Banks, to name a few — and the stage for major celebrities to come in as musical guests, such as Rihanna, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd.
But a major drop in viewership in 2018 and a widespread desire for more inclusive representation led to the show’s cancellation in 2019. The fashion show had lain dormant for years, until 2024, when it made a cautious comeback. This year, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show attempts to return to form once again.
One of the major highlights of this year’s show was the modeling debut of Women’s National Basketball Association player Angel Reese, becoming the first professional athlete in the history of the brand to walk the runway. Reese described the experience as “stepping into a dream” in an Instagram post. Reese wasn’t the only athlete onstage; Olympic gymnast Suni Lee walked to represent Victoria’s Secret’s Pink collection.
The show also featured model Jasmine Tookes, who was nine months pregnant with her second child, gracing the runway. The model opened the show wearing a fishnet dress that accentuated her baby bump, complete with a Botticelli-esque clam-shaped cage.
Returning Victoria’s Secret models included Gigi and Bella Hadid, Ashley Graham, Alex Consani, and more. Emily Ratajkowski made her Victoria’s Secret debut on the runway, sporting a lacy pink lingerie set and bejeweled gladiator sandals.
In terms of musical performances, the fashion show once again did not disappoint. Missy Elliott closed out the show, performing a medley of her biggest hits, including “Get Ur Freak On,” “Work It,” and “Lose Control.” TWICE also sang their hit songs “This Is For” and “Strategy,” the latter of which recently experienced a resurgence thanks to its inclusion on the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack.
