The Victoria's Secret models are known as some of the most beautiful women on the planet. There's no doubt that they have held the modeling world in the palms of their hands since 1995, although fans expect Rihanna's Savage X Fenty to soon put them out of business. Still, the 41 women who have been gifted wings from the iconic company have gone on to become massive stars.
Despite their appeal and influence as Victoria's Secret models, not all of those who dawn the wings (or who have come close to it receiving them) are all that angelic. Here are some of the most notable scandals to impact the women of the world of Victoria's Secret...
9 Gigi Hadid Was Accused Of Racism And Antisemitism
In 2017, Gigi was forced to withdraw from the VS Shanghai show after her on-screen behavior sparked widespread outrage on social media. The model was seen poking fun at Chinese people in a video which went viral for all the wrong reasons. As a result of her actions, the Chinese government never extended a visa. Gigi was never awarded the coveted Angel status. Most recently, she, along with her sister Bella and Dua Lipa, were accused of antisemitism and spreading misinformation about the Israel/Palestine conflict.
8 Bella Hadid Was Charged With A DUI And Has Been Accused Of Antisemitism
At the age of just 17, Bella was charged for DUI. When she was apprehended after ignoring a stop sign and almost colliding with a police car, she was found to be nearly twice above the legal limit. Bella later claimed that she was suffering from post Lyme disease syndrome, which somehow worsened the situation because she only had a tiny intake of alcohol. Her story didn’t cut it with the fans. Many health specialists have also denied the possibility.
Bella, as well as her sister Gigi, have been accused of antisemitism after proudly displaying a photo of a Palestinian man accused of beating up a Jewish man during 2021's Israel/Palestine international conflict. She's also been accused of spreading biased misinformation about the conflict to her millions of Instagram followers.
7 Devon Windsor Was Accused Of Being Insensitive
A 2018 episode of E!'s Model Squad left viewers in shock when one of the show's stars made an incredibly controversial comment. Cutting in on Shanina Shaik and Ping Hue’s comments about the racial discrimination they faced in the modeling world, Devon bemoaned the fact that it was very hard to keep her hair blond. Her comments left the other models totally shocked. The insensitivity she showed by comparing the triviality of highlighting her hair to someone facing racial discrimination led to major backlash, with the model ultimately issuing an apology, acknowledging the insensitivity of her statements.
6 Erin Heatherton Is Embroiled In Lawsuits
According to People, Erin Heatherton has been embroiled in a court case with former Retroactive business partner Clare Byrne, who claims that the model is guilty of breaking their contract. That's not all. The VS Angel is now being sued by the lawyer who was representing her. It turns out Erin has loads of unpaid bills from her legal counselor Stephanie Adwar. The lawyer also says Erin doesn’t respond to any attempts to contact her. The VS model is currently claiming she is bankrupt, and the case drags on.
5 Cara Delevingne Was Caught With Substances And Was Criticized For Appropriating An Important Message
No stranger to controversy, the British model first walked for VS in 2012. She hit the headlines the next year, when she was snapped by the paparazzi while trying to conceal a suspicious package of white powder. The possible connection to cocaine led to Cara being axed by retail giant H & M. Cara managed to deflect the interest in the mysterious package, by posting Instagram images of herself kissing actress Sienna Miller at the Met Ball a few days later.
In 2021, Cara was accused of appropriating a message trademarked by Luna Matatas, a queer sex educator. Wearing a vest emblazoned with the words “Peg the Patriarchy”, the model apparently completely misrepresented everything about the movement. Her involvement with VS has been a stormy one, seeing her not confirming the invitation to participate in the 2016 show, posting Instagram pics of herself on the beach instead.
4 Jessica Hart's Feud With Taylor Swift
An ongoing spat between Jessica Hart and Taylor Swift, after a big deal was made of her Victoria's Secret show, has kept the tabloids busy for almost nine years. It began when Jessica bad-mouthed the singer after her first appearance on the VS stage. Asked if she thought Swift would make it on the VS runway, she responded in the negative. Swift agreed to do the next show, but with the proviso that Jessica wasn’t part of the cast, and the model has not walked in a VS show since. In the ongoing enmity between the two, the Australian model appeared on Instagram wearing a T-shirt printed with "F*** TAYLOR SWIFT”.
3 Miranda Kerr Was Unwittingly Involved In Money Laundering
After receiving gifts of jewelry worth over $8 Million from Malaysian businessman Jho Low, Miranda Kerr was unwittingly involved in money laundering. The Australian model was asked to hand back the diamond necklaces, bracelets and rings reportedly bought by money misappropriated from Malaysian fund 1MDB. Miranda fully complied with the law. She may have lost the jewelry, but she can keep the halo.
2 Kelly Gale Was Accused Of Fat Shaming
Kelly Gale infuriated fans when she posted videos of herself exercising right outside a fast food joint. In one of the videos, a friend supplied her with healthy, slimming foods while she camped out at the restaurant. What some believe to be Kelly's fat shaming antics didn't go down well. Her posts were later removed from her Instagram.
1 Karlie Kloss Almost Got Canceled For Cultural Insensitivity
This Angel got audience's backs up in 2012 when she strutted down the runway sporting a Native American inspired outfit. Karlie's high-heeled moccasins, fringed suede bra and feather headdress were supposedly connected to the event of Thanksgiving - but many fans weren't having it. There was understandable anger at the lack of insight shown about the feelings of those affected by the Genocide of Indigenous people by European settlers. Its just one in a long line of instances of cultural insensitivity by VS management.
