Victoria’s Secret fans were not the only people surprised when Kylie Jenner emerged from the darkness at Sunday night’s highly anticipated runway show wearing a glittering diamond Fantasy Bra.
Several of the brand’s veteran models were reportedly caught off guard backstage, as Jenner’s selection had been kept strictly confidential.
Our News Outlet understands that some longtime Victoria’s Secret “Angels” were reportedly “speechless” after the 29-year-old reality star was chosen over a number of established models for the coveted headline appearance at the Los Angeles event.
The Fantasy Bra is a bespoke, gemstone-covered creation and the show’s ultimate centerpiece. This year’s design was valued at $50 million. Previous wearers have included international supermodels such as Gisele Bundchen, Claudia Schiffer and Candice Swanepoel.
“Some of the old-school models were not thrilled that Kylie was the center of attention,” a source told Our News Outlet.
The source claimed that some models with longstanding fame were frustrated by the changing spotlight. “It can’t be easy seeing the younger girls taking over,” the source said, adding that Jenner’s role as a billionaire cosmetics mogul, rather than a traditional model, may have intensified the reaction.
“I’m just saying that veterans like Candice Swanepoel and Elsa Hosk did not look too thrilled when they were on the runway,” the source added. Swanepoel wore her Fantasy Bra in 2013, while Hosk was chosen to wear hers in 2018.
Despite the alleged backstage tension, no public confrontation over Jenner’s casting is expected. “These women are too smart to say anything,” the source said, arguing that the models understood Jenner would generate significant attention for the brand. “But look at their faces—they didn’t seem happy at all.”
Kylie Jenner commanded attention at the 2026 Victoria’s Secret show in Los Angeles on Sunday, amid reports of jealousy among some veteran models, Our News Outlet has learned.
Veteran catwalk stars were reportedly stunned that reality star and billionaire cosmetics mogul Kylie Jenner, pictured in an image posted to Instagram, was chosen as the night’s headline attraction.
In public, however, many models voiced their support for Jenner, despite criticism from some viewers who felt she appeared slightly uncertain in her stilettos.
“She had friends onstage, including Gigi and Bella Hadid, who love her, as well as Amelia [Hamlin Gray], and she knows Tate McRae,” the source said. McRae performed during the show. “There were plenty of longtime allies around her.”
The source also said Irina Shayk was comfortable with Jenner’s appearance because of her friendship with Gigi Hadid. “Irina is close friends with Gigi because they coparent her child, so she knows Kendall and Kylie and was fine with it,” the source said.
Jenner also had support from her boyfriend, Timothee Chalamet, and her mother, Kris Jenner, who both watched the show from the audience.
Adam Selman, Victoria’s Secret’s chief creative officer, told Vogue that Jenner was selected for the Fantasy Bra because she “really extends beyond fashion, beyond culture, beyond TV, beyond one singular thing.”
“That’s the exact same thing that we do,” Selman said. “The show is so big—it’s true entertainment—and I think she is a great catalyst for that. She’s really created her own culture. How many people can say that?”
Our News Outlet has learned that Jenner’s Fantasy Bra opportunity came after her older sister, supermodel Kendall Jenner, was unavailable. Kendall, who has not worked with Victoria’s Secret since 2018, is currently affiliated with rival lingerie brand Intimissimi.
According to reports, Kris Jenner, the family’s well-known “momager,” informed Victoria’s Secret that Kylie could step in for her sister.
“When Kylie heard months ago that Victoria’s Secret wanted her, she said yes right away. She was flattered,” a source said.
The appearance also gave Jenner an opportunity to promote her own cosmetics line. The source said she wore Kylie Cosmetics during the show, helping draw attention to the brand’s new Winter Kissed collection.
‘Of course, Kris Jenner loved that Kylie was wearing the diamond bra. Kris can sure work a deal. She was like, “If Kylie is going to be at the show, it is going to be a princess moment for her.”‘
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Kendall Jenner, who has not walked VS since 2018, could not do the show because she already works with another lingerie giant, Intimissimi (pictured in one of their ads). Photo source: Intimissimi Instagram
Momager Kris Jenner, seen in the VS audience with Kylie’s beau Timothee Chalamet, set up the deal for her daughter
And Kendall appeared more than happy to play along, commenting on her sister’s Instagram post celebrating the show by saying, ‘A gorgeous woman!!!’
‘Kylie was at the VS show only because it was Kendall who said, “Do it.” She had her sister’s support,’ said the source.
Mom Kris also took to Instagram to call Kylie ‘my angel girl!!!’ while older sister Kim Kardashian said, ‘Just perfect.’
Kylie’s Fantasy Bra this year featured 4,410 natural diamonds as well as a massive 75-carat yellow diamond. It took 15 people more than 1,000 hours to construct and cost a whopping $50 million, making it the brand’s most expensive Fantasy Bra.
The bras have been a staple of the Victoria’s Secret runway since 1996 when Claudia Schiffer debuted a $1 million creation.
Kylie, far left, stood alone as Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio clung to each other
The Calabasas native was pushed far off to the left side
Neither Candice Swanepoel, left, nor Elsa Hosk, right – who have both worn the Fantasy Bra in the past – looked too thrilled at the show
Kylie had friends there like the Hadid sisters; seen with Bella, right
Gisele Bundchen wore the VS Fantasy Bra valued at $12.5 million in 2005
As for whether Kylie felt any nerves walking alongside powerhouse models such as Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio on Sunday, one insider said that isn’t her style.
‘Kylie was very confident on stage – that is the one thing that Kylie has plenty of: confidence,’ said a source.
‘She never backs down from anything, doesn’t care what her haters think and does her thing. She laughs at insecurity, it rolls off her back, she has zero fear in life.
‘She knew she looked great and she would get a ton of press so she was stoked. If she looked nervous, that may have been a brief flash of stage fright, but the truth is that not much scares Kylie.’
On Monday, Kylie shared photos and videos of her walking the show on social media, writing, ‘STILL DREAMING… thank you!!! a moment i’ll never forget.’
After 2018, when Hosk wore a $1 million Dream Angels Fantasy Bra adorned with Swarovski diamonds and a matching body chain, the brand stopped using the bras in the annual shows amid a changing cultural landscape and declining viewership.
The decision to bring back the Fantasy Bra this year was made by new CEO Hillary Super, who took the helm in 2024 and hopes to reinvigorate the brand with a return to its classic ‘sexy’ heritage.
Our News Outlet has reached out to representatives for Kendall, Kylie and Hosk and Swanepoel for comment.
