Accepting New Angels: Victoria Secret Announces Open Casting Call

By: Lucy Fries, Senior Writer Edited by: Catie Taylor

For years, the Victoria's Secret runway was the most exclusive in the world. From Adrianna Lima to Heidi Klum, Victoria's Secret showcased the best of the best and became a benchmark for the industry's faces everywhere. It was known for high standards and cutthroat casting, but now, it appears this ideal may be shifting after the company announced an open casting call available to everyone everywhere. 

On April 1st, the Victoria's Secret website added a striking title: “Are Angels Among Us?” This was followed by “YOU could be our next Angel.” With this being put out on April Fool’s Day, fans were quick to believe that the announcement was a joke. However, over a week later, the casting announcement remains posted on their website.

The application requires all candidates to fill out personal information as well as digitals and body measurements. Participants are welcome to include a video and attach their social media handles. The selected winner will not only have the opportunity to walk the infamous Victoria’s Secret runway, but will also receive an IMG modeling contract. 

With Victoria’s Secret being notorious for its rigid casting process and exclusive look, the looseness of this year's casting was a shock to many people. In previous years, every round that a model progressed was a celebration. Back in 2017, Business Insider posted an article sharing a bit about the casting process. According to the article, models were required to wear a black bra, underwear with mesh panels, and matching heels. Candidates had to walk the runway and were encouraged to show off their personalities, while judges examined every aspect of their body and performances. 

Additionally, People wrote an article in 2015 offering a sneak peek into the selection process at the time and the perspectives of those taking part in it. “There are several who are either fighting back tears or literally crying in here today because there’s such a buildup, and they’ve been working for it and wanting it so badly,” said Monica Mitro, executive producer of multiple Victoria’s Secret fashion shows. 

Looking back on articles highlighting Victoria's Secret’s strict casting process, it’s hard to believe that this is the same brand now having open casting. However, analyzing previous campaigns, it appears the brand has already been teasing inclusivity. 

In 2019, Victoria’s Secret showcased their first plus sized model, Ali Tate-Cutler, in a collaborative ad with Bluebella, a U.K.-based lingerie company. Although this was a step out of Victoria’s Secret’s exclusive comfort zone, as it represented more body types, the company was still criticized for its lack of inclusivity, which ultimately led to the cancellation of its annual runway show back in 2020. 

In 2024, Victoria’s Secret brought back their iconic runway show. They highlighted several different aspects of diversity, advertising that the show would “reflect who [they] are today.” The attempt at diversifying their models included having transgender models such as Alex Consani and Valentina Sampaio walk the runway. However, it appeared this attempt also fell flat. Following the show, Teen Vogue released an op-ed article titled “The Victoria’s Secret 2024 Runway Show Promised Inclusivity, So Where Was It?” The author described her disappointment in expecting a show that would stray from historical standards of exclusivity. “... as I watched thin model after thin model take the runway, I was catapulted right back to my childhood living room, watching women who didn’t look like me set a beauty standard most women will never meet,” said author Aiyana Ishmael. 

With the 2024 show failing to have the forward movement that they had hoped for, Victoria’s Secret continues to work towards promoting a more representative image moving forward. Just this past October, WNBA player Angel Reese made her debut in the Fall 2026 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Brooklyn, N.Y.. “​​The WNBA superstar looked absolutely incredible, further solidifying herself as an undeniable—and undeniably beautiful—pop culture force,” said Headline Planet.  Reese remarked online that finding out she was going to be an angel was a “surreal experience.”

On April 7th, 2026, shortly after the open casting call, Reese made her debut as the face of Victoria's Secret’s new swim and beauty global campaign. Being the first WNBA player to be featured in Victoria’s Secret campaign, Reese expressed her hopes to be an active member in diversifying the beauty industry. 

“Representation is everything, and hopefully the young girls can see that they can do anything they put their minds to,” said Reese, “I hope many different people are inspired and reminded that they can do these same things that I’m doing.”

With many failed attempts at inclusivity, the question of whether or not Victoria’s Secret will prove itself to be progressing remains up in the air. As the company shows recent signs of rewriting its narrative, the open casting announcement begs the question: Are Victoria’s Secret's ideals transforming, or simply rebranding exclusivity?

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