The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is less than two weeks away, and the same old online dispute is starting all over again: should influencers get a pair of wings?
Daniela Souza is at the center of this debate. Having walked both runways and worked as a content creator, the Brazilian model witnessed the blurring lines between the two professions firsthand.
“I don’t think having followers should get you wings,” Souza said. “But I don’t think having followers should automatically mean you don’t deserve them either. If you can walk, why should TikTok be the thing that disqualifies you?”
This year, Victoria’s Secret has done just that. In a show featuring a mix of longtime Victoria’s Secret models like Adriana Lima and Candice Swanepoel, as well as athletes and creators such as Angel Reese, Suni Lee, Quenlin Blackwell, and Gabriela Moura, the brand has blurred the line even further.
Backlash against such decisions didn’t take long to follow. A viral TikTok video claims the show is “for supermodels, not influencers and nepo babies.”
“The old Victoria’s Secret show felt huge. The women walking it were these icons, and I understand wanting to protect that,” she said. “I grew up watching Adriana Lima represent Brazil on that runway. I don’t want the standard to disappear. I just want it to be about talent, and talent can be discovered anywhere.”
Lima will make a comeback to the show next October 18th in Los Angeles, joining other famous models such as Gigi Hadid and TikTok star Alex Consani in what surely will attract plenty of attention. This year, for the first time, viewers can watch the show live in 10 selected AMC theaters.
One participant will not be chosen through the usual casting process. In fact, “Angels Among Us” is a YouTube docuseries in which the brand is searching for a new Angel through a contest with over 100,000 applicants. The winner will be announced during the show and receive a special contract with IMG Models.
However, the debate is happening at an important time for the creators’ community. At the U.S. Open in August, tennis player Naomi Osaka said creators’ presence at events “has to be managed a lot better” after a group disrupted her opening match by filming content. At the same time, she admitted that creators might help grow the sport.
Last week, comedian Pete Davidson criticized women filming “get ready with me” videos and dancing on TikTok and wondered how some influencers can earn millions online.
“I understand why influencers annoy people sometimes. We annoy me sometimes,” Souza said. “But being annoying on the internet and having no talent aren’t the same thing. If TikTok existed back then, Gisele would’ve been posting too.”
Souza was talking about Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen.
As for the winner of “Angels Among Us”, Souza has one piece of advice: “Enjoy that walk to the fullest extent possible. And don’t check your comments until Monday.”
