Angels dumped and a Fantasy Bra mystery: Inside a Victoria’s Secret show like no other

Listen closely: that faint rustling you hear is the sound of angel wings being pulled out of storage.

Yes, it’s that time of year again: The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is returning for the third time since its comeback after a five-year hiatus. All eyes will be on the runway tomorrow as 19 models strut their stuff, accompanied by performers including Megan Thee Stallion, Tate McRae and Katseye.

While some aspects of the show haven’t changed, there will be some notable absences this year – both in terms of people and the garments on display.

Fallen Angels

The 2026 cast includes some longtime Victoria’s Secret favourites, with Gigi Hadid, Candice Swanepoel, Adriana Lima, Joan Smalls, Liu Wen and Elsa Hosk all returning to the runway.

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They’ll be joined by some of the breakout stars of the most recent VS shows, including Anok Yai, Alex Consani, Abby Champion and Ashley Graham.

Amelia Gray, the daughter of Real Housewives icon Lisa Rinna and actor Harry Hamlin, is also back after her debut in 2025.

However, there’s at least one beloved Angel who hasn’t made the cut – and the omission has caused quite a stir.

Romee Strijd, who walked in five Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows spanning 2014-2018, surprised fans by revealing she wasn’t cast this year.

In two TikTok videos this week, the Dutch model detailed her rejection from the event after five weeks of uncertainty and being “kept in the dark”.

Strijd said she had travelled to New York for the casting, feeling this year was “the right timing” to return to the show after having children.

“I thought I was gonna know soon after if I was going to do the show or not, but I didn’t hear anything for weeks, and I think I was on some sort of ‘maybe’ list,” she said, adding she had continually asked her agency for updates.

“It’s been a little bit of a rollercoaster mentally for me, since I have to continue training ... with kids around and my life now, it’s a bit harder to find the time. I’ve put a lot of time and energy towards it.”

In a follow-up video, a tearful Strijd said she’d finally received a verdict, and was told “[the team] thought you wouldn’t fit in the show this year”.

“I don’t feel supported by my agency. I don’t feel like I have the straight story. Just be honest, just tell me, and I can go on with my life and let it go ... if it’s a closed chapter, I just would love to know,” she said.

“I don’t think I’m gonna cast any more in the future, because I don’t like the way it went. I don’t like the way I was treated, and I would love to keep the positive memories.”

Fans flooded the comments section, expressing their shock over an original Angel being rejected from the runway.

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Among them was model Frida Aasen, a fellow former Victoria’s Secret Angel who walked in the show twice.

“I’m so sad you didn’t get it! I also went to the casting and it was a no,” she said.

“Imagine saying no to an OG ANGEL,” one commented said, while another wrote, “You don’t need VS, THEY NEED YOU.”

Many noted there is precedent for this turn of events, with Victoria’s Secret stalwarts Taylor Hill and Bianca Balti both knocked back from the 2025 show.

However, it seems rejection goes both ways.

Aussie supermodel Miranda Kerr, a six-time Victoria’s Secret Angel, has revealed she turned down an invitation to be in this year’s show.

“It meant so much to be invited to return this year, especially as it marks 20 years since my first show,” she wrote on Instagram.

“But I ultimately felt in my heart it was right to cherish this chapter as it was. Sending so much love and light to everyone in this years show!”

Fantasy Bra remains at large

With hours left before the 2026 event gets underway, there’s a question mark hovering over another familiar VS Fashion Show sight: the Fantasy Bra.

In 1996, Victoria’s Secret created a tradition of having one lucky Angel walk the runway in a bespoke luxury bra encrusted with millions of dollars worth of gems and jewels during each show.

The showpiece has been worn by some of the most famous Angels, including Aussie Miranda Kerr, Gisele Bündchen and Heidi Klum.

2018 was the last time we saw a Fantasy Bra grace the runway, with Elsa Hosk given the honour of wearing the Dream Angels Fantasy Bra.

The silver Swarovski-designed garment was decked out in 2100 diamonds and topaz.

The Fantasy Bra didn’t return when the show made its comeback in 2024, and didn’t appear last year, either.

While there’s plenty of speculation around whether the showpiece will enjoy a renaissance this year, Victoria’s Secret is yet to confirm anything. What happens on Monday is anyone’s guess.