The 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was watched by approximately 2.9 million viewers. Compared to last year’s number, this year’s show had about 230,000 more viewers. After the show was canceled in 2019, due to declining viewership over the lack of diversity and inclusivity, it returned in 2024 with a big audience excited for the runway’s comeback. The social media presence of this fashion show got viewers excited to see the well-known angels such as Adriana Lima, Candice Swanepoel, and Gigi Hadid. Not only were people excited for the original lineup of models, but pro athletes such as Angel Reese and Suni Lee were also featured in the show. The social media marketing of the show was not a letdown, and it is definitely worth watching.
Leading up to this event, Victoria’s Secret marketing was everywhere. From behind-the-scenes teasers to model introductions, there was a plethora of exciting marketing tactics before the show. This strategy helped build anticipation for the glamorous show full of blowouts and wings. These marketing strategies clearly paid off, as evidenced by the show’s success. The brand had a true comeback after a few years of not hosting the show.
The lineup of this year’s models is what made it stand out amongst the rest. The familiar faces of Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, and others gave the show a nostalgic feel and highlighted the past careers of these angels. Gigi Hadid’s first pink outfit consisted of a pink set paired with a beautiful, voluminous flower-petal cape. This outfit received a lot of attention, and the majority of viewers enjoyed it. On the other hand, the wings drew mixed reactions from viewers. Some thought Gigi Hadid’s wings looked like a “mattress,” while Bella Hadid’s wings received more positive feedback. These wings are said to be quite heavy as well, and some viewers said they missed the old sparkly and glamorous wings instead of the understated neutral ones. But regardless, the wings are definitely the highlight of the show and a bold and exciting staple for the company. In all, the looks in the show received lots of praise, especially since the outfits revolved around the original glamorous styles.
It is not shocking that the show brought some controversy in certain areas. There were mixed opinions on the inclusion of the athletes. Suni Lee and Angel Reese received criticism for walking the runway, and some believed they should stick to their sports. Angel Reese was also shamed for being a part of the show because she had spoken out before about the sexualization of female athletes. People called her a hypocrite for this because it goes against what she had spoken so strongly about previously. Also, due to the appearance of the athletes, some viewers believed that Victoria’s Secret should go back to being “exclusive.” Despite this controversy, many appreciated the inclusivity of the show this year and found it entertaining to watch.
The iconic Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was a big hit for a reason. Described as “the girl’s version of the Super Bowl,” it lives up to the hype and is worth watching. It is an interesting and fun way to see what looks people enjoy the most. From the iconic wings and blowouts to the matching sets, there is so much to love. Especially this year, with the new array of women modeling, promoting new faces and inclusivity, combined with the iconic supermodels, the show felt fresh and nostalgic, appealing to a wide range of fans. Overall, the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show delivered a stunning mix of glamour and style, bringing back major success to the show.