Chicago Sky player Angel Reese will be making her Victoria’s Secret runway debut next week.
The 23-year-old shared the exciting news in an Instagram post on Thursday, Oct. 9. “I’m finally getting my wings. I’ll be walking the Victoria’s Secret 2025 runway show for the first time, and it feels like destiny. Wings on, heels ready…Catch me on the runway,” she wrote alongside a carousel of photos showing her wearing black lingerie paired with the brand’s iconic Angel wings.
The official social media accounts for Victoria’s Secret also announced the news on Thursday, highlighting that the basketball star’s appearance will be a history-making first for the brand.
“Angel Reese, welcome to the runway. The first professional athlete angel…major is an understatement,” the post read.
Reese’s appearance comes as the popular lingerie show continues its major rebranding effort following a five-year hiatus. The annual televised event has been widely criticized for its lack of diversity, perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards, objectification of women, and allegations of sexism and harassment.
Controversy peaked in 2018 when the then-chief marketing officer of Victoria’s Secret’s parent company, Ed Razek, faced backlash for saying in an interview with Vogue that he did not think transgender models should be included in the show. “Why not? Because the show is a fantasy,” he told Vogue. “It’s a 42-minute entertainment special. That’s what it is.” He later apologized, calling his remarks “insensitive.” The show was cancelled in 2019.
Following its cancellation, Victoria’s Secret split from its parent company in 2021 and began a massive overhaul of its image to better represent and connect with today’s women. The company has since committed to inclusivity, prioritizing diverse, plus-size, and body-positive models and messaging. The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show returned to air in 2024.