Suni Lee Tackles Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Debut Backlash

A night of nostalgia, new icons, and unforgettable runway moments.

Last week, on October 15, the girls’ version of the Super Bowl went live in New York City. Fans watched from their homes in fresh pairs of Victoria’s Secret pajamas or took over the streets of New York City as they gathered at Penn District for the official watch party of Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2025 and Times Square as they watched the screens count down.

Meanwhile, inside a star-studded front row set the tone for the night’s glamour. Sex and the City icon Sarah Jessica Parker, celebrity makeup artist Patrick Ta; Jordyn Woods; Pose star Indya Moore, actor Patrick Schwarzenegger, and, of course, Dylan Sprouse, there to support his wife, model Barbara Palvin were among the many names who attended the venue.

Jasmine Tookes, nine months pregnant, opened the show in a golden netted dress with teardrop-shaped gems with a sculptural pearl wing. Her look turned the runway into a celebration of motherhood, her baby bump the centerpiece of a design that symbolized beauty and strength.

Yet, Tookes was not the only one making a statement. Bella Hadid, Gigi Hadid, Candice Swanepoel, Adriana Lima, and Alessandra Ambrosio returned to the runway whose comebacks dominated social media after a twenty-year hiatus, bringing a wave of nostalgia and excitement back to the runway.

Among the many returning angels, WNBA All-Star Angel Reese made history as one of the first athletes to grace Victoria’s Secret runway, joined by two-time Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee, who wore a playful PINK look.

While many were hyped over Lee and Reese walking the Victoria’s Secret Runway, they both received backlash from those who didn’t think they deserved to be there.

Lee has since clapped back at the haters in a TikTok video she shared on Saturday. In the clip, the star athlete captured herself lip-syncing to Ariana Grande’s song “Successful,” captioning the video, “Can u guys stop bullying me?”

Of course, the spotlight did not end as the “nepo baby” generation made a statement of their own. Lila Moss, Iris Law, Amelia Gray Hamlin, and Isan Elba, made waves proving that while they come from well-known names they have what it takes to own the Victoria’s Secret runway.

And while fans got to witness iconic walks and fabulous wings, Victoria’s Secret made sure the night was more than just a fashion show. Performances by Karol G, Twice, Madison Beer, and Missy Elliot kept the crowd entertained.

Karol G had fans starstruck in a custom red crystal bodysuit, paying homage to the brand’s most iconic blowout look. Karol G performed her hits “Ivonny Bonita” and “Latina Forever” as supermodels Bella Hadid and Alex Consani strutted their walks on the runway, only for the Colombian singer to reemerge, swapping her skirt for a pair of red wings, taking over the runway herself.

Missy Elliot closed the night performing some of her greatest hits like “Loose Control,” “Get Ur Freak On,” and “Work It” with radiating energy and a dynamic group of dancers that had the crowd on their feet.

While the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show may never be quite like the ’90s and early 2000s, this year’s return proved to be a step in the right direction, blending nostalgia with modern representation, diversity, and empowerment.