Black women have long brought undeniable beauty, confidence and commanding presence to the Victoria’s Secret runway.
Supermodels like Tyra Banks helped break barriers and open doors for generations of models to hit fashion’s biggest stages.
And on Sunday night, Megan Thee Stallion, Kobe Bryant’s daughter Natalia, and Victoria’s Secret’s newest Angel got a chance to spread their wings.
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show returned to Los Angeles on Oct. 18 with a celebration of the changing seasons, featuring models in angel wings and elaborate designs inspired by flower petals, snowflakes and metallic finishes.
The star-studded spectacle featured veteran Angels Gigi Hadid, Adriana Lima and Barbara Palvin, who walked the runway just one month after giving birth to her first child with husband Dylan Sprouse.
This year’s runway proved the Angel Reese effect extends beyond basketball. The Atlanta Dream star turned heads at last year’s show.
This time, U.S. soccer star Trinity Rodman, daughter of Dennis Rodman, crossed paths with Natalia Bryant, daughter of the late Kobe Bryant, hit the runway.
Their fathers spent time as teammates on the Los Angeles Lakers. But last night, their daughters shared a moment of sisterhood. It was a full-circle moment for both women, who have known each other since they were about 4 or 5 years old.
Bryant grew up dreaming of walking the Victoria’s Secret runway, making her debut a full-circle moment alongside fashion’s biggest names.
“I had the shows on repeat, really trying to get into that mindset. And it’s crazy, because now I’m in the room with some of the OGs. Angels are among us!” she told Page Six.
Bryant rocked leopard-print lingerie, jeweled jeans and a hot-pink shrug, while Rodman rocked a cropped black tank and boyshorts.
Backstage during prep, Rodman told a HypeBae reporter, “I would say I’m more nervous for this than probably a World Cup game.”
The Victoria’s Secret runway also marked a major milestone for 21-year-old Cameroon-born model Solange Omon. Omon won a nationwide casting call documented in the YouTube docuseries “Angels Among Us.”
After competing against thousands of hopefuls, Omon earned her wings, an exclusive modeling contract with IMG Models. She also won a spot alongside established Angels, including Paloma Elsesser and Ashley Graham.
Online reactions to Omon’s runway debut were mixed. Some fans praised her beauty and the way the lighting accentuated her skin, while others felt her walk could have been stronger.
“I’ve NEVER CRIED while watching a VS show and SOLANGE going down that runway had me bawling.” Another said, “Didn’t even realize it was her. They chose right!!!”
“Such a disappointment, a girl that couldn’t even stand on her heels for a photoshoot,” added one critic, sharing a close-up of Omon’s nearly broken heels.
KATSEYE also brought its signature style and star power to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, adding a fresh wave of global girl-group energy to the runway.
Megan Thee Stallion closed the show with a dynamic performance, also fulfilling a childhood dream and honoring her late mother.
For the winter segment, she performed her hits, “Her” and “Body.” Megan wore a sparkling black-and-silver bra, black thong, glittering stockings, accompanied by a slew of dancers in coordinated black outfits.
Megan Thee Stallion didn’t hide her feelings when Victoria’s Secret finally called. “Damn, it’s about time,” she told reporter Scott Evans on the red carpet.
“This is so unreal. This is so full circle,” she said after years of asking for her runway moment. “I feel like everybody has seen that I’ve been tweeting about this since I was like 14.”
Another big moment from the show was the return of the Fantasy Bra after an eight-year absence. Designed by Jacob & Co., the $50 million diamond-encrusted creation featured a 75.54-carat yellow diamond centerpiece valued at $22 million. It was worn by Kylie Jenner during her Victoria’s Secret runway debut.
The 2026 event took place at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City. This marked Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show’s first return to the Los Angeles area since 2007.
Natalia Bryant and Trinity Rodman shared a sweet moment on the #VSFS2026 runway. The two have known each other since they were about four or five years old. Their dads, Dennis Rodman and Kobe Bryant, were Lakers teammates in 1999. https://t.co/3lBZL09xnt
— Athlete Vanity (@AthleteVanity) October 19, 2026
