OG Angel Tyra Banks Just Returned to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show for the First Time in 20 Years

Ahead of the 2024 show, Tyra revealed to Harper’s Bazaar that her involvement with the brand was only a crack in the door of diversity in the fashion industry.

“You know, it’s interesting, because in terms of diversity, I was diverse. I was considered curvier, and I was a Black girl, and I think it’s important to still acknowledge that at that time … 19 years ago, [it] was, ‘Wow, they’re putting Tyra on covers and they’re breaking all these barriers and Victoria’s Secret is stepping out and saying she’s the first Black woman this,’ and really pushing against the norm,” she told the publication. “Today, what is even more beautiful is [that] they’ve burst those doors open. I feel like I cracked it open, and now that they’re burst open, I’m so excited.”

Tyra also took a moment to shout out and uplift one of the brand’s new Angels, Paloma Elsesser, when she spoke on the brand’s latest inclusivity efforts. “When I look at the video commercial that I did with Paloma and I’m walking down that hallway, you know, as a woman with Victoria’s Secret that burst so many doors down, handing Paloma that invitation and she is bursting doors down. It’s just like this continuation of beauty and diversity, which is really exciting.”

One thing’s for sure: Tyra is definitely still on top, and she’s passing the baton to our new gen VS Angels with confidence and grace.