Valentina Sampaio is celebrating a significant milestone by becoming one of the first transgender models to participate in the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, marking a groundbreaking moment in the fashion industry.
Valentina Sampaio is celebrating a significant milestone in the fashion industry by becoming one of the first transgender models to grace the runway at the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
Sampaio described the moment as a “dream come true,” sharing that many had once told her this achievement would be impossible. “So many people told me, ‘no,’ that [the dream] would be impossible for me to ever realize — [but] I just did,” she said. Her participation marks a major milestone not just for her but for the entire LGBTQ+ community, and she applauded Victoria’s Secret for embracing inclusivity and diversity.
“It’s a step forward in celebrating the rights of my community, to live and work with dignity,” Sampaio noted, recognizing the positive impact of her presence on the iconic runway.
“Despite the significance of her achievement, Sampaio acknowledged the inevitable backlash from online trolls but said she remains undeterred.”
The 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, which made a comeback after a six-year break, was graced by renowned figures in the fashion industry, including supermodels Tyra Banks, Gigi Hadid, and Alessandra Ambrosio. Regrettably, former Angel Gisele Bündchen respectfully declined the invitation to return to the runway.