ANGEL wings, bombshell models in lingerie and A-list guests in the crowd – the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is back with a bang this weekend.
But it’s not just the jaw-dropping catwalk looks that cause a stir.
The lingerie brand became embroiled in a series of controversies in recent years – including MeToo allegations – leading to its cancellation in 2019.
However, it has since rebooted and is back in business, with the likes of Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Candice Swanepoel, and Gigi Hadid taking part in this year’s show.
While fans look forward to tuning into the glamorous spectacle, we look back at the cheating scandals to catwalk protests which prove it isn’t all heavenly at the Angels’ show…
Exes run-in (2016)
Weeks after their high-profile breakup, Bella Hadid made her Victoria’s Secret debut the same year that her ex-boyfriend, The Weeknd, real name Abel Tesfaye, was performing.
As Bella strutted down the 2016 Paris runway in a metallic corset, the tension between the former couple was palpable to the entire audience.
She gave him a subtle, sultry side-eye and a brief nod while he attempted to serenade her mid-stride.
The pair ended up back together over a year later, albeit temporarily.
Ariana vs wings (2014)
During her performance of Bang Bang at the 2014 London show, Ariana Grande had an unexpected and terrifying encounter with one of the model’s costumes.
As Elsa Hosk strutted past her, a massive set of fluffy, pink Angel wings swept within inches of the singer’s face.
Ariana was forced to instinctively duck and cower mid-note to avoid getting clobbered by the costume.
Ever the professional, she later laughed off the incident by claiming that “being accidentally smacked in the face” was “awesome” – but that initial reaction doesn’t lie.
Angel swap (2011-2013)
During the 2011 show, Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine strutted hand-in-hand down the stage with his then-girlfriend, Anne Vyalitsyna, while performing Move Like Jagger.
He sweetly planted a kiss on her cheek at the head of the runway, signalling to the world they were happily in love.
However, the romance was short-lived, as the pair split just a few months later in early 2012.
Adam quickly moved on to fellow Victoria’s Secret Angel Behati Prinsloo, and by the 2013 show, he was standing in the front row cheering wildly as his new fiancée opened the runway segment.
The pair have been married since 2014 and have three kids together.
Gisele and the PETA protest (2002)
While top supermodel Gisele Bündchen was walking the runway in a red lingerie set in 2002, four anti-fur PETA protesters unexpectedly stormed the stage.
They surrounded her carrying signs that read “Gisele: Fur Scum” to condemn her recent endorsement contract with fur company Blackglama.
Despite the chaos unfolding around her, Gisele barely blinked and refused to break her stride or posture.
Gisele has since said the incident completely “devastated” her and changed her views on ever doing another fur campaign.
Karolina Kurkova’s missing shoe (2006)
During an aviation-themed Come Fly With Me segment, supermodel Karolina Kurkova suffered a severe wardrobe malfunction in 2006 the moment she stepped onto the stage. The strap on one of her high heels completely snapped, leaving the shoe hanging loosely off her foot.
Without missing a beat, she effortlessly kicked off the broken heel mid-stride and continued down the runway on tip-toe with one bare foot like a true pro.
Love triangle (2012)
The pink runway ignited off-stage Hollywood drama when star model Miranda Kerr landed in the middle of a rivalry between her then-husband, Orlando Bloom, and pop superstar Justin Bieber.
The rift began behind the scenes at the 2012 show, where Justin and Miranda reportedly flirted.
Orlando and Miranda later split, and the Pirates of the Caribbean actor appeared to strike back in 2014 by stepping out with Bieber’s famous ex, Selena Gomez.
This fuelled a high-profile media feud, and later that summer Orlando threw a punch at Bieber inside a packed restaurant in Ibiza.
Casting snub (2026)
Victoria’s Secret has released its 2026 line-up and not all fans are happy.
Former Angel Romee Strijd posted viral TikTok videos sharing how she has been rejected from this year’s show.
Loyal fans threatened to boycott the show over the snub of beloved Angels in favour of social media creators and reality stars.