The 2024 Victoria's Secret fashion show promised inclusivity, so where was it?

I wanted nothing more than to turn on my TV and return to the youthful joy I had for this show, but I'm older now and I realize that while back then I thought being an angel meant something, the true meaning However, it was a legacy of their adherence to unrealistic and exclusive beauty standards that the company continues to benefit from even as it tries to expand its reach. In fact, due to my endless research and deep dives into this world, I was served TikTok videos at the Victoria's Secret Runway Show. I was so immersed in the story that I ended up on an unknown side of the internet – the pro-ana believers who, even in 2024, still want to cling to the narrative that the VSFS can only be great if thin is the standard. “Victoria's Secret LISTEN, we don't want plus size models, we don't want men on the VS runway. PLEASE LISTEN, we want the old iconic 2000s shows.” Hundreds of comments reiterate the same thing: “Actually it's not about being inclusive, it's about looking good.”

While the original VS ethos created these believers, the new and “improved” Victoria's Secret team cannot be blamed for these random internet people spreading this toxic narrative. I take their word at face value that the team wanted to produce a more inclusive show that represented a more inclusive brand. But the proof is there, and aside from a few “plus” styles (which, as mentioned, mostly fit in straight sizes), the runway was overwhelmingly thin.

We were treated to the angelic debuts of Paloma Elsesser and Ashley Graham, but these gorgeous and popular models looked noticeably different than their thinner counterparts. Compared to string bikini underwear and bras worn by models like the Hadid sisters, they were more covered up, wearing short dresses and body suits. The highlight of the evening for me was seeing Graham's bare thighs on the runway, visible to the world – and something Graham himself has been championing for almost a decade. But for a show that was positioned as more inclusive than the brand's past, it felt like a punch in the gut that not only were there very, very few plus models, but that they weren't given the same treatment when it was time to shine.