After several years of transformation and self-reflection, Victoria’s Secret is continuing its grand return in 2026 with an initiative that is already generating a lot of buzz : a nationwide casting call to recruit the brand’s next Angel. More than just a model audition, this campaign marks a new stage in the rebirth of one of the most iconic events in the fashion industry.

A Nationwide Casting Call : A First in the USA

Announced in early April 2026, the initiative allows any candidate over the age of 18 to try their luck at walking in the next Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Registration opened online before a series of in-person castings held in Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, and Chicago.

The winner will not only win a place on the famous catwalk. Victoria’s Secret also announced an exclusive contract with IMG Models, one of the world’s most prestigious agencies. This award reflects the brand’s commitment to discovering a new generation of talent.

A Deliberate Relaunch Strategy

The return of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 2024 and then 2025 marked the end of a long hiatus that began in 2019. Criticized at the time for its lack of diversity and its image deemed out of touch with societal changes, the brand has since undertaken a major repositioning.

The 2026 casting call is part of this new vision. The criteria appear intentionally more open than before, with communication focused on inclusion, authenticity, and diverse backgrounds. Several media outlets have pointed out that the call for applications no longer emphasizes the extremely restrictive standards that had long characterized the famous Angels.

Stars to guide the new generation

To give even more visibility to this casting tour, Victoria’s Secret mobilized some of its iconic figures. Models like Gigi Hadid and Paloma Elsesser participated in different stages of the process, meeting the candidates and sharing their advice.

This presence of established models creates a bridge between the brand’s historical heritage and its new chapter. Former Angels also continue to hold an important place in the Victoria’s Secret universe, like Adriana Lima, who is still associated with several of the brand’s campaigns in 2026.

Social media at the heart of the process

Another major innovation : the digital dimension of the casting. Victoria’s Secret documents each stage of the selection process on its social media and even plans to transform the experience into a documentary series. The candidates are no longer evaluated solely on their ability to walk the runway, but also on their personality, their story, and their ability to connect with the public. This strategy perfectly reflects the evolution of modern modeling, where digital influence has become almost as important as being on the catwalk

A symbol of the new Victoria’s Secret

Beyond simply recruiting a model, the 2026 casting call represents a full-scale test for Victoria’s Secret’s new identity. The brand seeks to maintain the glamour that has made it successful while meeting contemporary expectations regarding representation and inclusivity.

Thousands of candidates answered the call, proving that the dream of becoming an Angel continues to fascinate a new generation of models. Now, all that remains is to discover who will be the face of this 2026 edition!