Angel Reese becomes first pro athlete to walk as a Victoria’s Secret Angel
Angel Reese on the runway of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, 2025. (Evan Agostini // Associated Press)
When Angel Reese posted photos of herself in wings, lingerie and a pink robe, she wasn’t just making a fashion statement — she was making history.
“I’m finally getting my wings,” Reese said in an Instagram post on Oct. 9.
The Chicago Sky forward walked in the 2025 Victoria’s Secret fashion show on Oct. 15 in New York City, becoming the first professional athlete cast as a Victoria’s Secret Angel.
The show, held at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, marked the second year of Victoria’s Secret’s rebooted runway — a more inclusive show after criticism for its lack of inclusivity and body-positivity.
Reese made her debut in classic Victoria’s Secret pink and a signature pair of white wings.
“Last year, Reese was in the audience watching the show and said she manifested this year’s moment,” said Audrina Sinclair, anchor for CBS News Chicago.
Her presence on the runway represented the brand’s recent shift in who is chosen to be the face of beauty and power. Victoria’s Secret has been true to its promise of evolving the brand’s image, and casting a 6-foot-3 WNBA player signals a continued move towards celebrating diverse forms of femininity.
Social media feedback on the show was overwhelmingly positive, with fans praising the brand for listening to their criticisms.
“100000 times better than last year. Thank you for listening to the people!!,” said one user on Youtube.
Despite frequent negative representation in the media, Reese’s performance in the show was also met with praise.
“That girl is a star even off the court,” said another user on Youtube.
This milestone marks an evolution in how women in sports are portrayed in the media, particularly off the court. Reese joins the roster of Angels that was once dominated by white supermodels.
Though other pro athletes like Serena Williams have walked in major fashion events, Reese is the first to don the coveted Victoria’s Secret wings.
Reese has been making history since her college days. After leading LSU to a national championship in 2023, she was drafted by the Chicago Sky and was quickly put under the WNBA spotlight.
Known for her glam tunnel looks, long lashes and her dedication on the court, she’s leaned into a marketable identity that blends athleticism with unapologetic femininity.
Her rise in fame highlights a changing media landscape where athletes, especially Black women, claim space beyond their sport in the worlds of fashion and endorsement. Reese’s fashion show walk is a culmination of that movement — a sign that the boundaries between sports and femininity are dissolving.
In a follow-up Instagram post after the show she responded to hate comments with a highlight reel of her walk.
“I don’t work jobs. I AM THE JOB,”she wrote.