Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show: Hit or Miss? Fans React

After a six-year break, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show made its return on October 15. Back in May, Victoria’s Secret announced, “We’ve read the comments and heard you. The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is BACK and will reflect who we are today. Plus everything you know and love – the glamour, runway, wings, musical entertainment and more! Stay tuned… it only gets more iconic from here.”

So, was the show a hit or a miss? From what I observed on social media, the response was mixed. The show did feature more diverse models than in previous years, but it still fell short of being the body-type celebration that many people had hoped for.

There were some positive steps, such as the inclusion of Ashley Graham and Paloma Elsesser, who has more curves than the traditional Victoria’s Secret angel, as well as transgender models Valentina Sampaio and Alex Consani, and older models like Tyra Banks and Kate Moss. However, the majority of the models reflected the same body types that dominated past shows. Including only a few models who deviate from the old Victoria’s Secret standard made it feel as though their presence was more about meeting a diversity quota than a genuine embrace of inclusivity.

Another critique from fans was that, while the models and performers looked stunning, the outfits themselves were underwhelming compared to the show's former glory days.

Reddit users didn’t hold back on the fashion. “I love the fact that so many Angels are back but the clothes look straight out of Shein!! Did they use all the money to book the angels and forget to spend some on decent looking fabric???” one wrote. Someone else added, “Wow some of these outfits were really really bad. Like if someone did a knockoff VS during its prime. Like how are you going to make Gigi Hadid look bad?”

Past shows were known for their extravagant staging, outfits, and wings. This year, the show seemed to take itself too seriously. The runway was plain, there were no fun backstage moments, and the wings weren’t as bold as they used to be.

One person took to X and wrote, “BOOOOOOO the show is ass and here I was waiting to be dazzled and left questioning my beauty routine. Where is the fun set design, where are the big bombshell blowouts, the fun makeup?” Another added, “The Victoria’s Secret fashion show was painfully boring. Where was the drama, the big hair, the theme, the big gigantic wings? I hate what y’all did to that brand.”

That said, the show did have some standout moments. Lisa from Blackpink kicked off the event with an opening performance, and Gigi Hadid made a grand entrance, rising from the stage floor on a catwalk. Hadid and other models donned the brand’s signature angel wings, which, this year, featured faux feathers approved by PETA.

The runway also included more Brown and Black faces than ever before, many of whom sported natural hairstyles. There were also plus-sized and older models gracing the catwalk.

And then, of course, there was Cher, who stole the show with her performances of “Believe” and “Strong Enough.”

Lastly, a fun personal touch: actor Dylan Sprouse showed his support for his wife, Barbara Palvin, by attending the show with cardboard cutouts of their pets.

The last show of its kind aired in 2018, before Victoria’s Secret paused the event following criticism over its lack of inclusivity and outdated beauty standards. In 2019, L Brands announced plans to “evolve the marketing of Victoria’s Secret” during the show's hiatus.