Angel Reese Makes History as First Pro Athlete to Star in Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show

Angel Reese Makes History as First Pro Athlete to Star in Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is back, and it's embracing a dramatically new look. Leading this charge of inclusivity and change is WNBA star Angel Reese, who made history on Wednesday by becoming the first professional athlete to walk the runway for the iconic lingerie brand.

The 23-year-old Chicago Sky forward joined an impressively diverse lineup that featured supermodels like Bella and Gigi Hadid, alongside transgender, pregnant, and plus-size models, signaling the brand's continued commitment to a modern vision of beauty and sexiness.

Manifesting a Moment

Reese’s appearance was, in her own words, a moment she had "manifested." She recalled attending last year's show and making a bold prediction.

“I posted on my (Instagram) Story last year, when I was here at the show watching front row. I said, ‘I’m gonna be a Victoria’s Secret model one day,’” she shared backstage, clearly thrilled that the reality had come so quickly.

Her inclusion is a significant step in the brand’s evolution. Once a major televised event criticized for promoting narrow, outdated beauty standards, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was canceled in 2019 after years of plummeting viewership and commercial turmoil. The 2024 show, returning after a six-year hiatus, reflects a powerful rebrand aimed at reversing its fortunes.

A New Era of Inclusivity

The refreshed vision was evident from the opening look. The live-streamed runway began with nine-month-pregnant model Jasmine Tookes, whose visible baby bump was draped in a gold macrame dress. The diverse cast also prominently featured plus-size models Paloma Elsesser, Ashley Graham, and Yumi Nu, and transgender models Alex Consani and Valentina Sampaio. Olympic gymnast Sunisa Lee also made an appearance for the Victoria's Secret sub-brand, Pink.

For Reese, this inclusivity was the core message. “Everybody looks different, but they’re all beautiful,” she told CNN. “(That’s) the inclusivity of being a Victoria’s Secret model and knowing that you can look beautiful in many different shades, sizes, lengths, heights — tall, short — you can be here.”

Reese credited her conversation with Victoria’s Secret CEO Hillary Super, the woman tasked with revitalizing the label, for her role in the show. Super told her, “You can be here. You’re an athlete, you have the body and you look amazing, and you’re really, really confident.”

Beyond the Angel Wings

The fashion show's reboot comes as the label attempts to claw back market share after a decade of slowing sales and increased competition from athleisure brands and lingerie companies prioritizing comfort and diverse sizing. In 2020, the brand was valued at just $1.1 billion, a fraction of its former worth.

Victoria’s Secret has been working to reposition itself by partnering with a wider range of influential figures. This effort includes the VS Collective, a group of brand ambassadors focused on promoting gender equality and body positivity. While soccer player Megan Rapinoe and skier Eileen Gu are part of this collective, Reese is the only sportsperson to have actually walked the runway, a milestone she doesn't take lightly.

“A lot of young women are going to be watching me today to know that they have some inspiration and know that they can dream this big,” the basketball star said.

While the show still embraced the voluminous hair and risqué glamour it was known for, the casting—which also included former Euphoria actor Barbie Ferreira and YouTuber Quenlin Blackwell—showed a clear departure from its past. For Angel Reese, the moment was personal and empowering.

“I’m not going to shy away from looking like this, because I work my ass off for this body,” Reese stated. “Being sexy is just something that I love and always embrace.”