Singer Madison Beer lived out a lifelong dream at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2025, delivering a stunning performance and debuting new music, but it wasn’t without a dramatic, last-minute challenge involving her iconic Angel wings.
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2025, held on Wednesday, October 15, in the Brooklyn borough of New York, was a spectacle of fashion, music, and empowerment. Among the glittering lineup of performers and models, Madison Beer captivated audiences not only with her powerful vocals and stunning stage presence but also with a surprising behind-the-scenes story involving her magnificent Angel wings.
A Lifelong Dream Takes Flight (with a Twist)
For Madison Beer, performing at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was more than just another gig; it was the realization of a lifelong ambition. “I’ve dreamed of doing this my whole life,” Beer shared in an interview for SiriusXM’s TikTok Radio. She even recalled attending past shows and wishing she “would die to be a tree prop in the background of that stage,” highlighting the profound significance of her participation.
Sporting a jaw-dropping white corset set, the singer-songwriter debuted her new music, performing “Bittersweet” live for the first time. She also performed “Make You Mine,” adorned with captivating pink wings, showcasing her evolving personal style that she describes as a balance of “girly with …comfortablelowbaggyjeans,” a style she has “finally” found, according to an interview with Vogue.
The 25-Pound Problem: A Last-Minute Angelic Intervention
However, the path to her dream performance encountered an unexpected obstacle just 24 hours before showtime. Madison Beer revealed that her initial set of Angel wings proved to be a daunting challenge. “I had other wings that were giant and [weighed] 25 lbs,” she explained. During rehearsals, the sheer weight made it impossible to perform safely.
Beer expressed her concerns, stating, “I can’t perform in them. I’m going to hit a dancer off the platform, I’m so scared to this.” The heavy wings also restricted her movement, preventing her from properly walking or strutting the runway. In an incredible feat of design and dedication, the Victoria’s Secret team came to the rescue. “They were so lovely and they made me new ones the night before,” Beer recounted. The replacement wings, significantly lighter at a delicate 5 lbs, allowed her to perform without hindrance.
This dramatic last-minute change ensured her unforgettable performance went off without a hitch. While the brand retained the iconic wings for their archive, Beer hopes to keep her “bedazzled baby pink look” as a treasured memento of her debut.
A Legacy of Wings and Empowering Performances
The challenge of sporting elaborate wings is a well-known aspect of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Models have often spoken about the rigorous preparation and physical demands involved in carrying these artistic creations.
Some notable examples include:
- Alessandra Ambrosio once walked with a 30-lb pair of wings while secretly six weeks pregnant.
- Bella Hadid famously modeled a staggering 50-lb set of wings in a previous show.
- Supermodel Heidi Klum, a veteran of the runway, always insisted on “the biggest wings you could possibly have,” wearing them proudly as a defining element of the show.
Madison Beer’s experience adds to this rich history, highlighting the blend of artistic vision and practical challenges that go into creating the spectacular show. Her journey underscores the dedication required from every participant, from models to musical guests.
The 2025 Show: A Celebration of Empowerment and Music
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2025 marked another successful return for the iconic event, which was cancelled in 2019 but brought back to widespread anticipation. The show’s all-female roster of headliners showcased a diverse array of talent, delivering performances that blended seamlessly with the runway spectacle. The show was livestreamed globally across multiple platforms, including YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Prime Video in the US, making it accessible to a massive international audience.
Alongside Madison Beer, other powerhouse performers included:
- K-pop sensation TWICE, who performed “This Is For” and “Strategy,” expressing gratitude for being part of the “unforgettable event” ahead of their 2026 world tour, as reported by Billboard.
- Latin superstar Karol G, who sang “Ivonny Bonita” and then graced the runway solo in stunning red wings and lingerie, realizing a dream she’d held “since I can remember.”
- The legendary Missy Elliott, adding her iconic presence to the headliner lineup.
Beyond the musical acts, the show also featured groundbreaking moments, such as basketballer Angel Reese, the Chicago Sky forward, becoming the first professional athlete to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Reese, known for her confidence and charisma, joined the high-profile “wings reveal” lineup, bringing her game from the court to the catwalk with a stunning pink floral lingerie set and signature white angel wings. Her stylist, Law Roach, revealed that walking this show was one of Reese’s biggest dreams, a sentiment shared by many who aspire to be part of this celebrated event.
