How Gigi Hadid Channeled Her Inner Taylor Swift In Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

Gigi Hadid drew inspiration from her close friend Taylor Swift's Eras Tour at the 2024 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

On October 15, the 29-year-old made her highly anticipated return to the Victoria's Secret runway for the first time since 2018. She opened the show in a stunning pink silk one-piece featuring short-shorts and a plunging neckline, complete with an oversized pair of pink wings.

As she reached the end of the runway, Gigi Hadid struck a pose reminiscent of Taylor Swift's signature move from her Eras Tour, raising one arm high in the air with her wrist elegantly turned skyward, delighting fans with the subtle tribute.

Before the show, Gigi Hadid revealed to Entertainment Tonight that she didn’t expect her longtime friend Taylor Swift to attend in person on Tuesday night. However, she also shared that Swift played a significant role in helping her prepare for her return to the Victoria's Secret runway.

Hadid teased fans about a “something new on the runway” just for her, hinting that her pop star friend was instrumental in making this special moment happen.

"There's an aspect to it that I was trained to do by Taylor on her tour," she said. "In one of her rehearsals, she was like, 'I'm gonna show you how we do this.' Did that, and now I'm using it tonight."

Hadid and Swift share a close friendship that has blossomed over the years, beginning around 2014. Their bond deepened through shared experiences in the fashion and entertainment industries, and they often support each other at various events.

Hadid has been seen attending Swift's concerts and celebrating major milestones in her career, while Swift has shown up for Hadid during fashion shows and other significant moments in her life.

Their camaraderie is emblematic of a close-knit circle of friends in the entertainment world, often referred to as the "Girl Squad," which includes other notable figures like Abigail Anderson Lucier and Selena Gomez.

Some of the biggest names in modeling, including Tyra Banks and the Hadid sisters, showcased their iconic wings once again on Tuesday as the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show made its much-anticipated return after a six-year hiatus.

The 45-minute event, streamed on Amazon's Prime Video and various social media platforms, proudly featured its first-ever all-women musical talent lineup.

The show included captivating performances from K-Pop sensation LISA, South African artist Tyla, and pop legend Cher, who brought the evening to a close with her hits “Strong Enough” and “Believe.”

Executives decided to cancel the show in 2019 as the fashion industry faced increasing backlash related to body positivity, transgender rights, and the #MeToo movement. The company also navigated a series of controversies surrounding its leadership, including ties between L Brands' CEO Les Wexner and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Additionally, then-Chief Marketing Officer Ed Razek made controversial remarks regarding transgender and plus-size models, leading to his apology and resignation later that same year.

Years later, the company said its values have shifted and promised that the new, updated event would “reflect who we are today, plus everything you know and love — the glamour, runway, wings, musical entertainment, and more!”

It also marked the first Victoria’s Secret show for model and body activist Ashley Graham, who expressed her excitement in the days leading up to the event. Graham, a mother of three and in her late 30s, said she was “over the moon” to be featured, emphasizing her eagerness to represent curvy women on such a prominent platform.

"I am feeling really excited," Graham told People ahead of the show. "I'm not nervous, and everything's very secure, we're not going to have anything pop out, which makes me feel good so I can strut it, and I'm honestly more excited just for the full representation that's going to happen during the show."

The 36-year-old model made her debut on the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show runway on October 15, showcasing her stunning model walk in a dazzling sparkly bodysuit, paired with a sheer robe and gold flower-embellished wings.