Romee Strijd Exclusion Sparks Casting Backlash at Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show
More than 100,000 candidates vied for spots in the upcoming production, but the fierce competition for the runway has triggered sharp disputes over transparency and communication. Dutch model Romee Strijd—who walked for the brand between 2014 and 2018—remains out of the lineup for the upcoming event after waiting weeks for a final verdict following her New York casting. Strijd stated on TikTok that she spent weeks training and organizing her family life around an uncertain participation before learning she was cut less than a week before the show.
“I can accept a no, but I would simply like to know,” Strijd stated, according to specialized portal Tribune. She did not question the company’s right to choose its roster, but criticized the procedure and reported receiving contradictory information from her representation at IMG Models regarding when the decision was finalized. Frida Aasen also announced her exclusion, fueling online support and boycott calls, though international outlets note no public evidence proves former veterans lost their places directly to internet influencers.
Digital Creators and Nepotism Claims Fuel Public Debate
Public scrutiny has increasingly targeted digital personalities entering the brand’s ecosystem. Brazilian TikTok creator Gabriela Moura debuted in 2025 within the younger PINK segment, which led some online observers to argue that viral social media reach is displacing traditional professional runway training. However, the company has not confirmed this interpretation. The discussion also encompasses nepotism arguments surrounding participants such as Amelia Gray, daughter of actors Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin, though family lineage and individual career experience do not automatically exclude one another.
The brand’s historical difficulties trace back to sharp audience declines during the previous decade. U.S. television viewership fell from 9.7 million viewers in 2013 down to 3.3 million in 2018. That drop, paired with controversies surrounding former marketing executives who defended homogenous casting choices, forced the company to suspend the show in 2019. The modern lineup attempts to balance nostalgic familiarity with broader representation, featuring veteran models like Adriana Lima and Candice Swanepoel alongside newer additions such as plus-size models Ashley Graham and Paloma Elsesser, and trans models Valentina Sampaio and Alex Consani.
Logistics and Live Broadcast Details
The 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show takes place on October 18 in Los Ángeles, California, moving away from its traditional New York home. The production combines lingerie, monumental wings, and musical performances by Tate McRae, Megan Thee Stallion, Megan Moroney, and KATSEYE. Alongside invited veterans, the YouTube documentary series Angels Among Us narrowed a pool of over 100,000 applicants down to three finalists, including Miss Universe 2022 second runner-up Andreína Martínez, with the winner securing both a runway spot and an IMG Models contract.
The event will not air on traditional television or pay platforms. Viewers can watch the live broadcast globally for free on the brand’s official digital channels starting at 4:30 pm Pacific Time or 7:30 pm Eastern Time in the United States, and at 7:30 pm in Venezuela.
Worth a look