Not only does Romee Strijd miss the Victoria's Secret show
also these Victoria’s Secret models are missing the show
Romee Strijd will not return to the catwalk of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show this year. Yesterday, the model was informed that she did not make the selection. The former VS Angel candidly shared her story on TikTok. Meanwhile, Victoria’s Secret's social media channels are flooded with fans wanting to see Romée back on the catwalk. Romée, who walked the show from 2014 to 2018, is not the only one who was rejected: former Victoria’s Secret model Frida Aasen also auditioned but received a no from the casting directors.
No comeback for Romée Strijd
On TikTok, Romée shared two videos about the disappointment. First, she mentioned that she hoped to walk in this year's show again. She had trained all summer and traveled to New York at the beginning of September for the casting. She expected to receive an answer shortly after, but she had not heard anything back until yesterday. She continued to train, despite not knowing if she would be part of the show, and found it difficult, especially since she now has two children. The communication from her modeling agency IMG Models disappointed her.
@romeestrijd♬ original sound – romee strijd
Response from her modeling agency
In her second TikTok, she was clearly more emotional, as she had just hung up the phone with her management and was told that she would not be walking in the show this year. She was told she ‘would not fit in the show this year’, but found the reasoning rather vague. For weeks, she had been asking for updates, but she just didn’t get any answers. She indicates that she is more disappointed in the way her management has handled this than in the rejection itself and that she does not feel supported.
Frida Aasen also received a no
The Norwegian model Frida Aasen, who walked in the shows of 2017 and 2018, commented under Romée’s post that she was also not selected. She wrote: “I’m so sad you didn’t get it! I also went to the casting and it was a no ♥️ it sucks but sending you lots of love ♥️”
What does this say about Victoria’s Secret?
The criticism that Victoria’s Secret receives about this is not new; in recent years, discussions have arisen about the brand's new image and the casting of ‘Instagram models’. The participation of influencers like Quenlin Blackwell and Gabriella Moura in the 2025 show also led to negative reactions. Critics wonder whether online fame now weighs more heavily than experience on the catwalk.
Also this year, fans are making their voices heard. The comments on the brand's social media are massively flooded with responses saying “We want Romée”. Many fans seem to long for the well-known Angels and the classic glamour with which the brand was associated for years. This poses a challenge for Victoria’s Secret: how does the brand take a new, more inclusive direction without losing the fans who fell for the iconic look of the past?
The show stopped in 2019 but was brought back for the first time in 2024. According to fans, the old allure is missing. It’s not just about who walks, but also about the voluminous bombshell blowouts, wings, and outfits. The slickbacks were not exactly well received.
The question is whether Victoria’s Secret will do anything with the criticism. Although some other OG Angels are back on the catwalk, the classic Victoria’s Secret glamour still seems not to be fully back for many fans. Romée has indicated that she does not expect to audition again next year.
