Tyra Banks Shares Exactly Why She Chose Not To Attend The 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show

While Tyra Banks^[1] wasn’t at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show physically, the former “America’s Next Top Model” host was there in spirit. During a recent interview, the legendary runway model, who worked with the iconic fashion brand until her retirement in 2005, opened up about the 2025 show and the brand’s place in pop culture.

For those unfamiliar, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was live-streamed on Amazon Prime and the company’s social media channels on Wednesday, October 15. Since Banks was part of the show’s epic comeback in 2024, many assumed she’d have a role this year as well. However, the 51-year-old was missing in action, prompting many questions from concerned fans online.

Speaking with Entertainment Tonight^[2], the mother of one said exactly why she wasn’t present for this year’s show. “I’m in Australia,” she stated, explaining she was there working on her ice cream business, SMiZE Dream. “I don’t know. We’ll see.”

Throughout her noteworthy career, which began in the ’90s, Banks has walked in a total of 10 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows, including the show in 2024. Describing the brand, the “America’s Got Talent” alum reflected on her time with the company, calling it “an American staple” that has now become a “global institution.”

“I’m so happy it’s back,” she added before explaining the major role the company played in helping her become one of the most popular supermodels in the world. “Ten years of being an Angel with them,” she said. “Being the first Black [model in] many things for them. Breaking down those doors and now seeing all that beautiful diversity following that door that we opened is so beautiful. I have a lot to thank for them.”

According to a previous report from The Blast^[3], Banks got deeply personal during her appearance on “The Today Show” when she reflected on her decision to leave the company in the early 2000s, explaining that she walked away out of “fear” rather than “empowerment.”

As she continued, Banks revealed that as she aged, she thought the company viewed her as irreplaceable. “Because in the modeling industry back in the day, they would kick you out at a certain stage,” Banks said. “It was like, ‘Goodbye.’ So I was offered a three-year contract for Victoria’s Secret.”

And while Victoria’s Secret was not “age sensitive,” Banks felt uneasy about her spot on the final roster. “… but I walked away because I was like, ‘But y’all gonna kick me out in three years.’ And I felt like I couldn’t be taken seriously as a talk show host at the time, and so I walked away,” she said.

This year’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show featured several big names, from Anok Yai to WNBA superstar Angel Reese^[4]. The Chicago Sky power forward spoke about her inspirations before hitting the runway, shouting out legends such as Adriana Lima and Gisele Bündchen. But the model who received the most praise from the LSU alum was Banks.

“She was the first to do so many incredible things in the fashion space, and to be able to see her success continue to grow is incredible,” Reese said before reflecting on the model’s monumental comeback in 2024. “I had the absolute best time last year,” she said. “I am a HUGE Tyra fan and her moment on the runway was so incredible.”

Reese’s appearance in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was also legendary because she became the first professional athlete to ever book the highly coveted gig. It’s a testament to the 23-year-old’s star power and hard work.

“It’s such a surreal and full-circle moment — just last year I was in the audience manifesting being on that runway, completely inspired and in awe of all the powerful women walking down the runway, and now I get to return as an Angel. This will be an unforgettable night that I’ll forever be grateful for,” Reese shared before describing why the moment is much bigger than herself.

“I hope I can inspire women and girls everywhere and remind them that we can dominate in our field but also chase our goals outside of it — and for me, that’s getting to walk down fashion and entertainment’s most iconic runway.”