The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show will return for the first time in five years on October 15.
The show’s big comeback will be held in New York City, the same place where the first show debuted in 1995. Earlier this year, the lingerie brand announced the show’s return in a statement on Instagram.
“We’ve read the comments and listened to you. The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is BACK and will reflect who we are today, along with everything you know and love—the glamour, the runway, the wings, the musical entertainment, and more! Stay tuned…it only gets more iconic from here,” it said.
Victoria’s Secret canceled the show in 2019 after facing criticism over its inclusivity on the runway and suffering its lowest ratings ever.
Cher will perform at the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in New York on October 15. (Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
The brand’s then-chief marketing officer, Ed Razek, also came under fire after making controversial statements in a 2018 interview with Vogue that the show would not feature transgender models because it was considered a “fantasy.” Shortly after the comments were published, Victoria’s Secret posted an apology from Razek.
Fast forward to 2023, and Victoria’s Secret released a filmed version of a fashion show on Prime Video ahead of its official debut this year.
Tyra Banks is expected to don her “Angel Wings” for the first time in nearly 20 years on Tuesday night.
Kelsey Merritt, Maia Cotton, Willow Hand, Iesha Hodges, Myrthe Bolt and Melie Tiacoh walk the runway during the final Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 2018. (TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)
Other “angels” expected to walk the runway include Gigi Hadid, Paloma Elsesser, Imaan Hammam, Candice Swanepoel, Grace Elizabeth, Taylor Hill, Mayowa Nicholas, Devyn Garcia, Barbara Palvin, Behati Prinsloo, Ashley Graham, Jasmine Tookes and Adriana Lima.
Victoria’s Secret announced in September that Cher would appear on the show.
“It’s a woman’s world, so everyone knows you can’t have a fashion show without a fashion mom—@Cher!” the official Instagram account captioned their announcement.
“We are so excited to announce that she will officially walk at the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on October 15th. But she won’t be alone…stay tuned, there will be more announcements on our first-ever, all-female lineup,” the caption continued.
“It’s a woman’s world, so everyone understands that you can’t have a fashion show without the fashion mother – Cher.”
– Victoria’s Secret
Since its debut nearly 30 years ago, the show has faced its fair share of scrutiny. From Heidi Klum’s iconic $12 million Fantasy Bra to Gisele Bündchen repeatedly dodging PETA protesters on the runway in 2002, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show has had its fair share of notable moments over the decades.
Here are some of the show’s wildest moments over the years.
Gisele Bundchen’s PETA incident and Heidi Klum’s $12 million bra were some of the craziest moments of the Victoria’s Secret fashion show. (Getty Images)
Bella Hadid’s Awkward Encounter With Her Ex
In 2016, Bella Hadid was walking the Victoria’s Secret runway when her ex-boyfriend, The Weeknd, was the musical guest of the night.
Bella Hadid and The Weeknd had an awkward encounter at the 2016 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. (Taylor Hill/WireImage)
At the time of the show, Bella Hadid and The Weeknd were not together but remained close in the years that followed. (Kristy Sparrow/WireImage)
The Weeknd, real name Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, was singing his hit “Starboy” when the former couple awkwardly exchanged glances as Hadid walked down the runway.
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Hadid and Tesfaye were romantically linked from 2015 to 2019. The former couple have since moved on, and Hadid is now dating cowboy Adan Banuelos.
Heidi Klum’s $12 million miracle bra
Klum had a number of iconic looks during her time as a Victoria’s Secret Angel from 1998 to 2010. However, her most talked-about look was probably the $12 million fantasy bra she wore during the 2001 fashion show.
Heidi Klum wearing the $12 million Victoria’s Secret Heavenly Star Bra in 2001. (Getty Images)
The Star of Paradise bra was designed by Mouawad and this was the first year the Victoria’s Secret fashion show was televised.
Gisele Bündchen dodges PETA protesters
In 2002, Bündchen was walking the runway when PETA protesters jumped on stage to disrupt the Victoria’s Secret fashion show.
At the time, Bündchen – a seasoned runway model – was attacked by activists holding signs reading “Gisele: Fur Scum.”
PETA animal rights activists rushed Gisele Bündchen as she walked the runway in 2002. (TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)
The protest targeted Bündchen, in response to her newly signed contract with fur supplier Blackgama.
While protesters were on stage, Bündchen continued walking, seemingly unfazed by the incident. In 2018, she opened up to Vogue about how the PETA protest changed the course of her modeling career and allowed her to rethink some of the campaigns she had associated herself with.
Gisele Bündchen first debuted her “wings” with Victoria’s Secret in 2000. (Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
“It wasn’t until that shock – it stopped me. They sent me all these videos. I didn’t know what was going on and I was devastated,” Bündchen told the outlet at the time. “So I said, ‘Listen, I don’t do fur campaigns.’”
Taylor Swift’s stunt
In 2014, Taylor Swift transformed into a lingerie-clad performer with Victoria’s Secret angels.
Taylor Swift walks the runway during the 2014 annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. (Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Taylor Swift wears lingerie while performing at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. (Image: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty)
Swift, then 24, performed in London wearing a black bra and high-waisted black lace lingerie. She also sported a pink satin robe and matching nightgown.
Before the show began, Swift walked the red carpet in a white, sheer dress with a thigh-high slit.
Taylor Swift is photographed before the 2014 Victoria’s Secret fashion show. (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Controversy over Native American-inspired look
In 2015, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show received backlash after incorporating Native American-inspired styles into their show.
At the time, Karlie Kloss walked the runway in a floor-length feathered headdress, leopard-print lingerie and stilettos. She was also adorned with tassels and turquoise jewelry in a segment that represented the 12 months of the year – fireworks in July, raincoats for April and top hats for November.
Karlie Kloss and Victoria’s Secret face backlash after models wear Native American clothing in the 2015 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. (TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)
Victoria’s Secret has reportedly apologized after Karlie Kloss wore a Native American-inspired outfit during the 2015 show. (Michael Stewart/FilmMagic)
According to the Associated Press, the brand issued an apology at the time and promised not to promote that particular look in any future marketing or broadcasts.
“We sincerely apologize as we had absolutely no intention of offending anyone,” the company said at the time.
Historically, headdresses were symbols of respect for Native American war chiefs and warriors. For example, for Great Plains tribes, each feather placed on a headdress held significance and had to be earned through an act of compassion or bravery. Some modern-day Native American leaders receive their war headdresses in ceremonies accompanied by prayer and song.
Irina Shayk debuts baby bump
When Irina Shayk was six months pregnant, she appeared on the Victoria’s Secret runway and showed off her baby bump for the first time.
At the time, Shayk and Bradley Cooper were expecting their first child. They welcomed daughter Lea in March 2017.
Irina Shayk debuts her baby bump at the 2016 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
During her 2016 Paris show, Shayk attempted to hide her growing belly with two different looks.
In one look, the model wore a red lace bra with matching lingerie and paired it with a fringed beaded jacket that tied just above her midriff. In the second look, Shayk wore a long coat with matching grey lingerie underneath.
Irina Shayk was pregnant with her and Bradley Cooper’s daughter at the time of the 2016 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. (Victor Virgile/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
Ariana Grande got hit on the wings by an “angel”
In 2014, Ariana Grande was a guest performer in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
Ariana Grande accidentally got poked in the wing by Elsa Hosk at the 2014 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. (Karwai Tang/WireImage)
While performing, Grande was accidentally stabbed by Elsa Hosk’s “Angel” wings as she walked down the runway.
In a widely circulated photo, Grande is seen cowering and appearing frightened by the sharp object attached to Hosk’s back.
The Victoria’s Secret fashion show airs Tuesday, October 15 at 7 p.m. ET and will stream live on Amazon Live and Amazon Prime Video as well as live on Victoria’s Secret Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.