At the height of its popularity, Victoria’s Secret was famous for throwing the sexiest and most extravagant runway shows in the world.
For models in the 1990s and noughties, being selected as a Victoria’s Secret ‘Angel’ was a career-making moment – while the brand itself worked overtime to top every fashion show, even sending Heidi Klum down the runway in a $12m ‘Fantasy Bra‘ in 2001.
But that all changed six years ago – when the American brand cancelled its annual fashion show after it was dubbed ‘sexist and outdated’ by critics amid declining sales.
So naturally, Victoria’s Secret had to pull out all the stops for their big comeback show last night and choose to send Gigi and Bella Hadid, Ashley Graham and Tyra Banks down the runway along with two transgender models.
Unfortunately for the brand, it seems their ‘woke‘ rebrand has also fallen flat – with viewers dubbing it ‘boring’ and ‘lacklustre’. Two words that would never have been used to describe the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in its glory days.
Fans slammed the presentation of Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show held in New York City on Tuesday, the first time the show has been held since 2018. (L-R) Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid and Vittoria Ceretti seen during Tuesday’s festivities in NYC
In 2002, PETA activists famously stormed the show as Gisele took to the stage to protest the Brazilian model’s contract with the furrier Blackglama.
Four years later, a different kind of disaster struck for Karolina Kurkova when her high heel came flying off mid-way down the runway.
Meanwhile, Ariana Grande was also almost sent flying when she collided with a Victoria’s Secret Angel wing while performing at the 2014 show.
On top of this, the brand was also forced to issue a grovelling apology in 2012 after sending Karlie Kloss out in a Native American headdress – with the footage never making it to broadcast.
Here FEMAIL takes a look back at the wild antics of the old Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows.
PETA storm the runway
Gisele has walked in seven Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows over the course of her 25-year career – but the 2002 runway is almost certainly one that sticks out in her mind.
Moments into her appearance, four PETA protestors clambered onto the runway holding signs reading: ‘Gisele FUR s**m.’
Pictured: Gisele’s runway walk at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in was disrupted by PETA activists
Moments into her runway walk, four PETA protestors clambered onto the runway holding signs reading: ‘Gisele FUR s**m’
Undeterred by the disruption, the model continued her walk before the protestors were manhandled off the stage.
When she returned to the stage, Gisele was met with a round of applause from the audience for how well she handled the incident.
However, Gisele has since said the protest had a lasting impact on her and the brands she wanted to partner with.
At the time, the supermodel had signed a contract reportedly worth $500,000 with mink furrier Blackgama and received two coats worth $250,000.
Gisele said in a statement: ‘It was a bad decision on my part, because I don’t wear fur and I understand their cause.’
Pictured: Gisele with her beloved dogs Lulu and Fluffy. The supermodel said the PETA protest had a lasting impact on her career
Speaking to Vogue in 2018, Gisele explained: ‘It wasn’t until that shock — it stopped me in my tracks. They sent me all these videos. I wasn’t aware of what was happening, and I was devastated.
‘So I said, “Listen, I’m not doing fur campaigns.”‘
Karlie Kloss’s controversial headdress
In 2012, Karlie Kloss featured in the ‘calendar girls’ section of the annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion show – where she represented the month of November.
In a nod to Thanksgiving, the model was sent down the runway in a Native American headdress and fringed bra and pants.
The outfit was met with widespread backlash from attendees – prompting the brand to cut Karlie’s walk from the television broadcast.
They said in a statement: ‘We are sorry that the Native American headdress in our fashion show has upset individuals. The outfit will be removed from the broadcast.’
In a nod to Thanksgiving, Karlie Kloss (pictured) was sent down the runway in a Native American headdress and fringed bra and pants in 2012
The outfit was met with widespread backlash from attendees – prompting the brand to cut Karlie’s walk from the television broadcast
Following criticism from the Native Appropriations and For Accurate Indigenous Representation Media (F.A.I.R.), the organisations received an official apology from Tammy Robert Meyers, a spokesperson for Limited Brands which owns Victoria’s Secret.
Meanwhile, Karlie added: ‘I am deeply sorry if what I wore during the VS Show offended anyone. I support VS’s decision to remove the outfit from the broadcast.’
Ariana Grande hit by a wing
Pictured: Ariana Grande gets smacked by an Angel wing as she performs in Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 2014
Ariana posted on X: ‘A Victoria’s Secret angel accidentally smacked me in the face with her wings and it was awesome #goals #bangbangintomyface’
What’s more, it wasn’t all singing and dancing for Ariana Grande at Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 2014.
During her performance of her single Bang Bang, the pop star was smacked in the face by one of Elsa Hosk’s pink fluffy angel wings.
Although the footage was edited out of the broadcast, the awkward moment was captured by photographers and then shared on social media.
Determined to see the funny side, Ariana posted on X: ‘A Victoria’s Secret angel accidentally smacked me in the face with her wings and it was awesome #goals #bangbangintomyface.’
Ariana still managed to wow the lucky audience who had gathered at Earl’s Court to see the annual show.
She wore her raciest on-stage outfit yet as she performed during the University of PINK segment of the show.
Katy Perry denied China entry
Two years before she was due to perform at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, Katy Perry had worn a Taiwanese flag during a concert at Taipei Arena over her sunflower gown. This was perceived to be symbolic of the Sunflower Student Movement, which protested a Chinese trade agreement in 2014
In 2017, Katy Perry was scheduled to perform at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion show in Shanghai – but controversy surrounding a previous concert threw the show into disarray.
Two years before, the pop star had worn a Taiwanese flag during a concert at Taipei Arena over her sunflower gown.
This was perceived to be symbolic of the Sunflower Student Movement, which protested a Chinese trade agreement in 2014.
‘She was initially granted a visa to perform at the VS show in Shanghai, then Chinese officials changed their minds and yanked her visa,’ a source told Page Six at the time.
‘For every artist who wants to perform in China, officials comb through their social media and press reports to see if they have done anything deemed to be offensive to the country. Maroon 5 was banned a few years ago because one band member wished the Dalai Lama happy birthday on Twitter.’
Harry Styles and Candice Swanepoel walks the runway during the 2017 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show In Shanghai
Following Katy Perry’s last minute denial, Harry Style, Miguel, Jane Zhang and Leslie Odom Jr stepped in to perform.
Karolina Kurkova’s wardrobe malfunction
In 2006, Karolina Kurkova suffered a model’s nightmare when her high heel came off as she walked the runway.
Behind-the-scenes footage shows the Czech-American model telling backstage staff that her ‘shoe is not fixed’ moments before heading out to face the crowds.
The 40-year-old was dressed in a flight attendant costume with matching purple heels adorned with white angel wing straps, which weren’t secured properly beforehand.
In 2006, Karolina Kurkova suffered a model’s nightmare when her high heel came off as she walked the runway in Hollywood
The 40-year-old was dressed in a flight attendant costume with matching purple heels adorned with white angel wing straps, which weren’t secured properly beforehand
As she walked towards the stage, Karolina said in a panic: ‘It’s open, guys! My shoe is open.’
Even though a hairstylist is on hand to make sure her blow-dry is perfect, Karolina was forced to face the runway with an open shoe – which fell off mid-way through her walk.
Ever the professional, the model continued on her tip-toes and completed the walk regardless – barely even missing a beat.
After the footage was shared on TikTok, one fan wrote: ‘She’s the definition of the phrase: “the show must go on”.’
Another gushed: ‘That was the most iconic moment in the industry.’
Ever the professional, the model continued on her tip-toes and completed the walk regardless – barely even missing a beat
A third said: ‘I love how panicked she was off stage but once she was on, it was all confidence.’
At the end of last night’s show — which was blasted as the ‘most boring ever’ by fans — Tyra Banks was joined onstage by her fellow Victoria’s Secret Angels.
Questioning the supermodel’s outfit, one wrote on X: ‘Leggings??????? Why would they put Tyra Banks in leggings? She’s beautiful… but what was that final look?’
‘Watched that entire VS show for Tyra just for her to come out at the end in leggings…’ another added.
‘Why wasn’t there glitter on the runway??? Where’s the fantasy bra? Who put TYRA BANKS in leggings?! Why are these angle wings made of cardboard?!#VSFashionShow2024’
‘Tyra’s closing the show on leggings was a big no,’ someone else chimed in.
Tyra later struck some of her iconic poses backstage, where she was joined by Gigi Hadid’s sister, Bella Hadid.
Victoria’s Secret announced in August that Banks would be joining the star-studded fashion show.
Pictured: Former Victoria’s Secret Angel Tyra Banks closed yesterday’s show in New York City following her retirement
The model divided her fans as she stepped onto the runway in a bedazzled black corset and bra, teamed with matching sparkling leggings and heels
Plus-sized model Ashley Graham was making her Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show debut last night
Tuesday evening’s show also marked the first walk down the Victoria’s Secret runway for Brazilian model Valentina Sampaio, who is transgender
The 90s model teamed up with Gigi to confirm the event’s return after a six-year hiatus.
Tyra handed Gigi an invitation to the show in an Instagram video, mouthing ‘see you there’ to which Hadid replied ‘I love you.’
She also teased her appearance the following month in a TikTok video.
‘It feels crazy being back on the Victoria’s Secret runway. I mean, like, cray-cray as in cray-cray good. I never thought that I would be back on this runway, to be honest. I remember — what was it, like, 19 years ago — and I was like, ‘This is it.’ And I remember all the press, ‘Tyra’s … last … walk.’ It was so over the top, and I was like, ‘I’m out.”
Cher served as the night’s headlining performer along with Blackpink alum Lisa and rising star Tyla — marking the show’s first-ever, all-woman musical lineup.
Fans also slammed the presentation of the show, which was held in New York City.
A number of early reactions on X/Twitter indicated that changes made to the show were not well-received, with specific criticisms coming toward the toned-down production values and striving toward satisfying contemporary social standards.
‘Victoria’s Secret came back with the most boring show ever,’ said one user, while another added, ‘the victoria’s secret show looks so modern and boring now, I’m disappointed.’
Said one user: ‘Victoria Secret has yet to listen to our public demands. This is not the show we wanted. Everyone’s hair is flat, no extremely tall models, the entire production is different.’
Another said, ‘Victoria Secret really said go woke go broke.’
‘The new Victoria’s secret fashion show feels so SOULLESS omg… and like why are they playing fake crowd cheering sounds? where’s the iconic runway???’
