6 iconic, historic moments from Black stars at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show

From Tyra Banks breaking to Angel Reese, these six moments show how Black women and artists have reshaped the iconic fashion show.

From the moment it first sparkled onto the scene in 1995, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show has blossomed from a runway to a pop culture event. But for years, the show’s version of beauty came in a narrow frame, drawing criticism for who was cast and, more pointedly, who wasn’t. Through it all, Black women and Black artists have been stepping into that spotlight and making it their own, whether by rocking natural hair, bringing their bumps to the catwalk, or setting the soundtrack for the night. As the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show approaches, we’re looking back at six unforgettable moments when Black stars owned the iconic runway.

Tyra Banks, the original Black VS Angel, returns home

In 1996, Tyra Banks was one of the first Black models to walk in a Victoria’s Secret fashion show, ultimately becoming the first Black model to be featured on the cover of their catalog. A year later, she made history as the first Black model to receive her wings as a Victoria’s Secret angel and walk down the lingerie brand’s runway. 

After creating a path for more diverse representation at the brand, the supermodel returned to the runway, 9 years after her retirement in 2015, at 50 years old, closing out the brand’s 2024 showcase. 

Maria Borges’ walks with her natural crown

In 2015, Maria Borges made history as the first supermodel to strut down the VS runway with her afro,  a tradition she maintained until her last show in 2017. 

“I feel beautiful just the way I am,” Borges told Teen Vogue, reflecting on her decision to skip the typical hair extensions. “This is not about my hairstyle; it’s about my conscious and just being myself.”

Winnie Harlow redefines what a VS Angel looks like

In 2018, model Winnie Harlow made her Victoria’s Secret runway debut, making her the first and only model with vitiligo to walk the coveted runway so far. 

“I think as the evolution of representation has changed in the fashion industry, my idea of beauty has too. We had such a limited standard of beauty once upon a time, and now I feel like our eyes are open and we’re really diving into the idea that beauty is within the eye of the beholder, and I think that’s a really beautiful place to be and to continue getting to,” Harlow previously told theGrio, reflecting on the industry’s evolution. 

Black artists have long scored the fashion show 

Over the years, a number of Black artists, from Destiny’s Child to Mary J. Blige to Rihanna to Missy Elliott, have performed while walking the Victoria’s Secret runway. A number of notable male artists like Jay-Z, Kanye West, Usher, Akon, and The Weeknd have also made musical appearances.

Jasmine Tookes gives pregnancy its runway moment 

While 9 months pregnant with her second child, model Jasmine Tookes showed how beautiful pregnancy can be when she kicked off Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Dazzling in a gold, pearl-accented look, the 34-year-old model confidently posed with her bump on the runway, making her one of the first models to walk the runway while being that far along in pregnancy. 

Angel Reese takes her talents from the court to the catwalk

WNBA star Angel Reese, a.k.a. the Bayou Barbie, showcased the span of her talent last year when she stepped onto the Victoria’s Secret Runway. The moment marked a first for both the brand and Reese as the Atlanta Dream star commemorated her runway debut; the brand also celebrated its first time featuring an athlete on its runway. 

The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show will stream live at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT on the Victoria’s Secret YouTube channel.