After a grueling and tumultuous WNBA season, Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese is trading her basketball sneakers for a pair of angel wings. In a move that has sent shockwaves through both the sports and fashion worlds, Reese announced on Thursday that she will be walking in the iconic Victoria’s Secret 2025 runway show on October 15, becoming the first professional athlete in history to do so. This monumental announcement comes at a pivotal moment in her career, offering a dazzling counterpoint to a season plagued by team losses, controversy, and growing uncertainty about her future in Chicago.
The 2025 season was a study in contrasts for Reese. Individually, she was a dominant force, cementing her status as one of the league’s brightest young stars. She earned her second career All-Star selection and led the entire WNBA with an average of 12.6 rebounds per game. Yet, her personal success was set against a backdrop of collective failure. The Chicago Sky finished with a dismal 10-win record, tying for the worst in the league and missing the playoffs for a second consecutive year.
Beyond the box score, Reese’s year was marked by friction. Injuries took their toll, but it was off-court drama that truly defined the narrative. Following critical postgame comments, she faced a brief but highly publicized suspension from the team, which sparked reports of deep-seated tension with the Sky organization. Despite the franchise publicly reaffirming its commitment to its superstar, speculation has been rampant that her time in Chicago may be coming to an end.
Amid the noise and professional turmoil, Reese has been quietly and strategically building an empire. She has proven to be a savvy entrepreneur with a brand that transcends basketball. Earlier this year, she launched her first signature shoe, the Angel Reese 1, in a major collaboration with Reebok. She also revived her popular podcast, “Unapologetically Angel,” giving her a direct platform to connect with fans and share her story on her own terms.
Her debut as a Victoria’s Secret Angel is undoubtedly her most ambitious and high-profile venture yet. Taking to X, she shared her excitement with her millions of followers: “Stepping into a dream: From Angel to a Victoria Secret ANGEL. I’m finally getting my wings. I’ll be walking the Victoria’s Secret 2025 runway show for the first time, and it feels like destiny. Wings on, heels ready…Catch me on the runway.”
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE magazine, Reese revealed just how profound the moment was for her, explaining that it was a dream she had been actively manifesting. “I literally could not stop smiling!” she said. “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 historic partnership not only fulfills a personal dream for Reese, who has long expressed an interest in modeling, but it also shatters a significant barrier. As the first professional athlete to walk in the show, she is cementing her crossover appeal and redefining what it means to be a female athlete in the modern era. Her global partnership with Victoria’s Secret is a testament to her influence as both a sports figure and a cultural icon.
As her future with the Chicago Sky remains up in the air, Angel Reese is taking control of her destiny, proving that her value and impact cannot be confined to a basketball court. While one chapter of her professional life is filled with questions, another is just beginning, illuminated by the bright lights of the runway. The world will be watching on October 15, not just to see a basketball player model, but to witness a star unapologetically claiming her power.
