Victoria’s Secret Faces Backlash Over ‘Nepo‑Baby’ Casting Decisions

As Victoria’s Secret prepares for its October 18, 2026, fashion show in Los Angeles, its casting choices—particularly the sidelining of former Angels in favor of celebrity‑connected newcomers—have ignited a fierce debate over privilege, legacy, and exclusivity.

The Fall of a Familiar Face

Romee Strijd, a prominent Victoria’s Secret Angel from 2014 to 2018, publicly revealed in two emotional TikTok videos on October 12 that she had spent the summer training for a comeback and flew to New York for a casting in early September—only to be left in limbo for five to six weeks before being told she didn’t “fit” the 2026 show. She described the process as a “mental roller coaster” and criticized the lack of transparency from her agency and the brand.

Victoria’s Secret Responds—But Does It Convince?

Two days later, Victoria’s Secret issued a statement via Vanity Fair and other outlets confirming that the casting director Piergiorgio Del Moro had formally released Strijd from the process on September 6. The brand emphasized her importance to its history but declined to comment on agency‑talent communications. While the response acknowledged the timeline, it did little to quell criticism over the emotional toll of the casting ambiguity.