Angel Reese’s Victoria’s Secret Show Appearance Meaning

Victoria's Secret announced that the Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese will hit the runway at the 2025 fashion show on October 15, becoming the first professional athlete to do so in history. While it's not surprising given her love of fashion and beauty, multiple Met Gala appearances and Vogue cover, her VS runway debut is still a significant moment for black women in sports.

It's important for younger generations to see a Black female athlete recognized as the beauty icon that she is – both in our community and among mainstream brands.

I grew up with a long list of black female athletes who were my personal style icons. I admired Flo Jo's intricately decorated nails and Venus and Serena Williams' signature beads—prized beauty attributes that were ubiquitous in our community. But it was decades before the rest of the style industry caught on, and these were rarely seen. athletes who are famous or recognized as trendsetters on the world stage. Now that Victoria's Secret, a brand historically associated with desirability and beauty, has cast a Black female athlete, it's powerful and, frankly, long overdue. And it comes at a time when people are finally recognizing the wonder and ingenuity of their style, from Sha'Carri Richardson's ornate nail art to Coco Gauff's cool take on sportswear.

This does not mean that external verification is necessary; we've always known how fashionable and creative black female athletes are. But you can't deny the impact of representation on the Victoria's Secret runway. This was reported by the underwear manufacturer. 2.67 million viewers at peak in its YouTube broadcast for the 2024 fashion show and boasts a global presence of more than 1300 stories in almost 70 countries. This visibility has far-reaching consequences and is of great importance.

It's important for younger generations to see a Black female athlete recognized as the beauty icon that she is – both in our community and among mainstream brands. And this becomes even more significant when you consider all the forces that say otherwise. We have witnessed racist and sexist criticism hurled at black athletes like Serena Williams, who was shamed for her muscles while her curves were praised in the black community. These attacks stem from long-standing stereotypes that black women are overly masculine and undesirable, while thin, pale white women are seen as the epitome of femininity and beauty.

Likewise, black female athletes who participate in fashion and beauty are told they need to pick a lane, as if being stylish and athletic are mutually exclusive. Angel Reese experienced this first hand when commentator X (formerly Twitter) suggested that she would have to choose between being an “IG model” or a “WNBA player.” Her appearance on the Victoria's Secret runway is a bold rejection of such ignorance. She proves once and for all that black women can be”okay and play“play sports and win titles and championships.

Angel Reese's runway debut coincides with Victoria's Secret's shift towards greater inclusivity after many years exceptional practice. For the 2024 show, its first after a six-year hiatus, the brand invited plus-size and transgender models on the catwalk, as well as models of different races and ages. Casting received mixed reviews as some felt it represented symbolism and a hollow attempt to remain relevant. Like a man who lit and mourned lack of diversity at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show for ten years now, I'm grateful for some progress and hoping for more. And having Angel Reese on the 2025 podium is another step in the right direction.

Jessica S. Andrews (she/her) is an award-winning editor and writer who currently serves as PS's Senior Style Director, overseeing content on beauty, fashion, shopping and personality. With over 15 years of experience, her areas of expertise include fashion, shopping and travel. Before joining PS, Jessica held leadership positions at Teen Vogue, Refinery29 and Bustle, and contributed to The New York Times, Elle, Vanity Fair and Essence. She has appeared on Good Morning America, NBC and Fox 5 New York and has spoken on various panels on fashion, hairstyle and black culture.