Victoria's Secret staged its annual Fashion Show on Thursday in New York, pressing ahead with its biggest marketing event despite days of online criticism over the casting of several high-profile celebrity children.

The controversy intensified in the days before the show after fans and commentators accused the company of favouring so-called nepo babies over established and emerging working models. Victoria's Secret had sought to rebuild the event's cultural relevance following its 2024 relaunch and years of declining sales.

The 2026 lineup blended veteran Angels with newer faces and musical performers, a formula the company has used to court social-media attention. Executives at parent company Victoria's Secret & Co. have framed the show as central to the brand's turnaround strategy, pointing to younger consumers reached through TikTok and Instagram.

The backlash underscored the difficulty of balancing star power with the inclusivity promises the brand made during its reinvention. Diversity advocates and former models had earlier praised Victoria's Secret for expanding body representation, and some argued the celebrity casting undercut that message.

"We cast a show that reflects culture and conversation," a Victoria's Secret spokesperson said, defending the lineup while declining to address individual casting decisions.