The most memorable and controversial celebrity performances in Victoria's Secret Fashion Show history
After a six-year hiatus, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is making a highly-anticipated comeback in 2024.
The runway show – which first started back in 1995 – returns on October 15.
Victoria's Secret is set to bring back everything from its angel wings to the iconic star-studded musical performances.
Over the years, many of the world's biggest names performed on the Victoria's Secret runway, from Taylor Swift to the Spice Girls.
Ahead of the major runway comeback, take a look at some of the most memorable – and even some controversial – celebrity performances.
Ariana Grande
Remember when Ariana Grande was hit in the face by a massive angel wing?
The pop star was one of the performers for the 2014 show in London where she sang her hit tracks Bang Bang.
But mid-performance, the five-foot tall singer had a run-in with a pair of pink fluffy angel wings worn by model Elsa Hosk.
Ariana Grande
"A Victoria's Secret angel accidentally smacked me in the face with her wings and it was awesome," Grande tweeted out after filming the show.
The singer was photographed looking horrified at the exact moment she was whacked by the giant wings.
While the moment never aired, it remains an unforgettable moment from the show's history.
Speaking to The Cut, Victoria's Secret model Taylor Hill recalled witnessing the moment backstage.
"I was in line waiting to walk in that segment. Ah, poor Ariana. She was amazing though. She made me such a big fan of hers on that show," Hill said.
Harry Styles
2017 gave us a memorable performance from none other than One Direction heartthrob and singing sensation Harry Styles.
For his set, the Grammy Award-winning singer donned a pastel suit and sang his hit tracks Kiwi and Only Angel.
His performance gained a lot of traction even before he took the stage.
For one reason, the singer shared the stage with three of his rumoured ex-girlfriends: models Sara Sampio, Georgia Fowler and Nadine Leopold.
But his appearance was shrouded in controversy for another big reason...
Styles wasn't actually the original performer booked for the 2017 show.
Pop star Katy Perry was originally announced to perform that year in Shanghai, but had to back out at the last minute.
It was reported Perry was denied a visa by the Chinese government so was unable to actually make it to the show.
Perry was reportedly banned over wearing a sunflower dress for a performance in Taipei, Taiwan, in 2015.
Why was this important?
Well, the sunflower had become a symbol adopted by anti-China protesters.
During the same performance, the singer also wore a Taiwanese flag.
Model Gigi Hadid was also banned from entering China that same year.
The Weeknd
It's one thing to run into an ex when you're out and about, but it's another thing to reunite onstage for the eyes of the world to see.
In 2016, The Weeknd – whose real name is Abel Tesfaye – took to the stage in Paris for his second consecutive Victoria's Secret Fashion Show performance.
But while singing his hit song Starboy, who would walk past him but his ex-girlfriend, and Victoria's Secret model Bella Hadid.
The pair were first linked in early 2015 and dated until November 2016.
The exes had a very memorable run-in on the runway the same month they reportedly broke up as Hadid strutted the catwalk in lingerie by the designer, marking her first-ever turn as a Victoria's Secret Angel.
At the end of the day, the two kept it very professional.
Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga and The Weeknd
That same year saw some other famous faces take to the Victoria's Secret runway.
Both Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars were musical guests at the Paris show in 2016.
At one point the three singers all walked the runway together. Talk about some serious star power!
Spice Girls
Seven years after the Spice Girls announced they would be going on an "indefinite hiatus" in 2000, the iconic '90s girl group reunited in the late noughties.
In 2007, the group announced they were coming back together to go on a third world tour, titled The Return of the Spice Girls Tour.
Just a month before the tour kicked off, the group took to the stage for a performance at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in California on November 15, 2007.
All five original group members – Mel Brown, Mel Chisholm, Emma Bunton Geri Halliwell and Victoria Beckham – took to the stage for the show.
The group all wore matching military-style outfits to perform their 1997 track, Stop.
Spice Girls
The group performed a second song for the show, complete with an outfit change.
The Spice Girls swapped their military-esque looks for ballgowns as they performed on the Victoria's Secret runway, without any models walking by.
Halsey
There was nothing controversial about singer Halsey's actual performance.
But there was a lot of traction around the singer's 2018 performance after she called out the company's Chief Marketing Officer Ed Razek for some anti-trans comments.
Halsey, who uses she/ they pronouns, had already filmed their performance for the show when Razek said he wouldn't have transgender models in the show.
"Shouldn't you have transsexuals in the show? No. No, I don't think we should. Well, why not? Because the show is a fantasy. It's a 42-minute entertainment special," Razek told Vogue.
After the show aired, Halsey took to social media to slam Razek for his remarks.
"I have adored the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show since I was young," the pop star began their Instagram message.
"Performing this year alongside other amazing artists, and hardworking models/friends was supposed to be the best night of my year.
"However, after I filmed the performance, some comments were made regarding the show that I simply cannot ignore.
"As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I have no tolerance for a lack of inclusivity. Especially not one motivated by stereotype."
