WNBA star Angel Reese has made history, becoming the first professional athlete to walk the runway at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2025. The 23-year-old Chicago Sky forward joined an iconic lineup of supermodels including Bella and Gigi Hadid, as well as former Angels Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio. The event, held at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York, symbolized a major step in the lingerie brand’s ongoing transformation toward inclusivity and diversity.
A Historic Moment for Women in Sports and Fashion
Reese’s appearance marked a groundbreaking crossover between professional sports and high fashion. Speaking backstage, she shared that she had manifested this moment after attending last year’s show as a guest.
“I posted on my Instagram Story last year when I was in the front row and said, ‘I’m gonna be a Victoria’s Secret model one day,’” Reese recalled. “I didn’t think it would happen this fast.”
Her dream became a reality as she confidently strutted the runway wearing two show-stopping looks. Reese’s participation underscored how modern beauty now embraces all body types, backgrounds, and professions — including athletes.
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Victoria’s Secret Reinvents Its Image
Once synonymous with narrow beauty ideals, Victoria’s Secret has spent years rebranding to reflect evolving cultural values. The brand’s annual fashion show — a pop culture phenomenon in the 1990s and early 2000s — was canceled in 2019 after years of declining viewership and criticism for promoting unrealistic beauty standards. Ratings had plummeted from 9.7 million in 2013 to 3.3 million in 2018.
After a six-year hiatus, the show returned in 2024, this time with a bold new mission: to celebrate diversity, inclusivity, and empowerment. The 2025 edition took that even further. The live-streamed runway opened with nine-months-pregnant model Jasmine Tookes, who proudly showcased her baby bump in a shimmering gold macramé dress inspired by Botticelli’s Birth of Venus.
A Diverse and Empowering Runway
This year’s lineup featured a striking mix of models representing various backgrounds and body types. Plus-size icons Paloma Elsesser, Ashley Graham, and Yumi Nu shared the runway with transgender models Alex Consani and Valentina Sampaio, who made history in last year’s show.
Olympic gymnast Sunisa Lee also performed in a lively “halftime show” segment for Victoria’s Secret’s youthful sub-brand, PINK, symbolizing the growing connection between athleticism and femininity.
Speaking to CNN, Reese praised the show’s inclusivity:
Reese’s Journey and the Brand’s Revival
Reese’s inclusion in the lineup followed conversations with Victoria’s Secret CEO Hillary Super, who encouraged her to embrace her athletic confidence.
Super, who took the helm in 2024, has been instrumental in the brand’s modest comeback. Annual revenue rose by 1% to $6.23 billion last year — a small but positive shift after a decade of falling sales and fierce competition from inclusive, comfort-focused lingerie brands.
Once responsible for two-thirds of parent company L Brands’ $28 billion valuation, Victoria’s Secret was valued at just $1.1 billion in 2020 when it was taken private. Since then, the company has made major efforts to regain trust through authentic representation and celebrity partnerships.
The VS Collective and Celebrity Influence
In 2023, the brand launched the VS Collective, featuring ambassadors such as soccer star Megan Rapinoe and Olympic skier Eileen Gu, both known for championing body positivity and gender equality. Angel Reese now joins this influential group as the first athlete to walk the actual runway, making her appearance even more symbolic for young women everywhere.
The show still paid homage to its glamorous roots, with performances by Missy Elliott and Karol G, and returning stars like Adriana Lima adding nostalgic flair. But the event’s true triumph lay in showcasing how strength, confidence, and individuality define beauty today.
With her bold debut, Angel Reese has redefined what it means to be a Victoria’s Secret model — blending athletic power, modern femininity, and unapologetic self-love.
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