Victoria's Secret fashion show axed, says Shanina Shaik

Australian supermodel Shanina Shaik, 28, has claimed the annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show - which has been running for 24 years - has been cancelled.

The now ex-VS Angel broke the news on Tuesday in an interview with The Daily Telegraph, however the brand has yet to release an official statement.

Bye, bye, Angels

“Unfortunately the Victoria's Secret show won't be happening this year,” Shanina said.

“It’s something I’m not used to because every year around this time I’m training like an angel,” she went on.

“But I’m sure in the future something will happen, which I’m pretty sure about.”

No more TV

In May 2019, The New York Times reported that the show would no longer be broadcast on network TV.

At the time, the CEO of VS’s parent company, Les Wexner, said they’ve “decided to rethink the traditional Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Going forward, we don’t believe network television is the right fit.”

Just over 3 million viewers tuned in to the 2018 show, the lowest number in five years. The previous year, the show attracted 5 million viewers which was an all-time low at the time.

Store closures and controversy

After the brand’s stocks plunged 40 percent in 2018, 53 stores in the States were closed and the then-CEO Jan Singer resigned.

At around the same time, marketing chief Ed Razek caused a stir with his comments about plus-sized and 'transexual' models, telling Vogue at the time that the show is a 'fantasy'.

Another Aussie model, Robyn Lawley, launched a global boycott in response to Ed’s statement, saying, “He hates plus-sized women, I hate that term. He hates women, in general.”

Victoria’s legacy

The first ever Victoria’s Secret fashion show was held in 1995 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, after the brand was founded in 1977.

In 2001, the extravaganza was broadcast on national TV and has been every year since.

The annual show has seen the likes of Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks, sisters Gigi and Bella Hadid, and Kendall Jenner strip down to their lingerie and strut their stuff.

Aussie Shanina made her catwalk debut in 2011 and appeared the following year, as well as in 2014, 2015 and most recently in 2018.

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