See Unsee summary
Bella Hadid stole the spotlight at the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, closing the event with an unforgettable moment that sparked both admiration and debate. Wearing angel wings that weighed a staggering 50 pounds, her final runway walk became the show’s most talked-about moment online — for better or worse.
A spectacular but weighty finale
As the show’s final act, Bella Hadid emerged wearing a white lingerie set embellished with silver fringe, paired with monumental, petal-shaped wings in pristine white. The look was undeniably stunning — almost heavenly — but her walk sparked mixed reactions on social media. Some viewers commented that she appeared to struggle, suggesting the moment lacked the signature grace expected from such a finale.
Hadid quickly addressed the situation with a post on Instagram, acknowledging the intensity of what she wore. “Ok we’re not going to pretend these wings weren’t 50 pounds but HOW BEAUTIFUL,” she wrote, seemingly proud of powering through a physically demanding moment. It’s not hard to empathize: 50 pounds on your back, under blazing lights, in a tight two-piece… it’s as much a feat of endurance as fashion.
As someone who’s always loved the drama of Victoria’s Secret’s closing looks, I found Bella’s moment both imperfect and honest. That kind of effort, even if it wasn’t flawless, brought back an emotional charge the show had been missing for years. To read Gwen Stefani headlines magical 2025 Disney Christmas Parade
An all-star runway filled with returns and bold debuts
The 2025 edition didn’t rely solely on Bella to turn heads. This year’s casting blended well-known names with new energy. Gigi Hadid walked alongside rising stars like Alex Consani, Iris Law, and influencer Quenlin Blackwell. College basketball sensation Angel Reese took a surprise turn on the runway, while actors and models like Emily Ratajkowski and Barbie Ferreira brought strong, unique looks to the show.
But perhaps the most nostalgic thrill came from the return of legendary Victoria’s Secret Angels. Candice Swanepoel, Adriana Lima, Lily Aldridge, and Alessandra Ambrosio all stepped back onto the runway, each bearing elaborate wings that reminded longtime fans of the show’s 2010s heyday. Personally, seeing Adriana Lima again felt like cinema’s equivalent of a surprise cameo in the final act — pure joy.
Highlights worth mentioning:
- Bella Hadid’s 50-pound wing finale, set to “Sports Car” by Tate McRae
- Karol G’s performance of “Ivonny Bonita” during a bold red look worn by Bella earlier in the show
- Missy Elliott, Madison Beer, and K-pop group Twice completing a dynamic performance lineup
- The return of former Angels, creating a bridge between past glamour and present creativity
A show built on reinvention
Reviving the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show after years of absence was a bold move in itself. The brand has faced criticism in recent years, particularly for outdated beauty standards and lack of body diversity. This 2025 version made conscious efforts to mix traditional glamour with current trends — shining a light on influencers, music powerhouses, and more flexible notions of femininity.
Still, it didn’t erase every flaw. The balance between showmanship and authenticity was sometimes uneven, and some choices felt like gestures rather than real change. But moments like Bella’s closing walk, with its weight — both literal and symbolic — show that the brand might be learning to embrace vulnerability amid the spectacle. To read Toho expands into Europe with bold anime distribution moves
As someone who grew up watching these shows for their theater and fantasy, I appreciated how this edition felt more human. Imperfections, intensity, and personal statements made it stand out — and maybe that’s exactly what a fashion show in 2025 should look like.
