Chicago Sky Star Blends Court Dominance with Runway Glamour in Groundbreaking Announcement

October 9, 2025 - New York, NY (NBC News)

NEW YORK — Angel Reese, the electrifying Chicago Sky forward and one of the WNBA's brightest young stars, is trading her sneakers for stilettos. The 23-year-old announced Thursday that she will walk the runway in the 2025 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on October 15, becoming the first professional athlete to grace the iconic event as a model.

In a sultry Instagram video that has already racked up millions of views, Reese posed in lacy lingerie, wings adorning her back, and declared, "I manifested this moment." The reveal, shared across her social media platforms, featured the baller in a series of empowering poses, captioning the post: "First professional athlete Angel. See you on the runway Oct 15." Her addition to the lineup underscores Victoria's Secret's ongoing evolution toward inclusivity, spotlighting diverse talents beyond traditional modeling.

Reese, who rose to fame during her college days at LSU amid a high-profile rivalry with Iowa's Caitlin Clark, has been a trailblazer off the court as well. Since entering the WNBA in 2024 as the No. 7 overall pick, she's not only dominated rebounding charts but also built a burgeoning empire in fashion and beauty. This Victoria's Secret gig follows her recent collaborations with brands like Coach and her feature in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, cementing her status as a multifaceted icon.

The fashion show, returning to its glitzy roots after a six-year hiatus, will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+ from Brooklyn's Barclays Center. Reese joins a roster of supermodels and celebrities, though specifics on other participants remain under wraps. Industry insiders hail the move as a savvy fusion of sports and style, with one fashion editor noting, "Angel represents strength and sensuality—perfect for VS's rebrand."

Fans erupted in celebration online, with comments flooding her post: "Queen on the court AND the catwalk!" and "Breaking barriers one strut at a time." Reese, who hails from Baltimore and has long advocated for body positivity, told Page Six in a recent interview that the opportunity "feels like destiny." As the WNBA continues to surge in popularity—boosted by stars like Reese—the crossover into high fashion signals a new era for women's athletics.

Victoria's Secret, once criticized for its narrow beauty standards, has pivoted under new leadership to emphasize empowerment and diversity since 2021. Reese's debut aligns with this shift, potentially inspiring a wave of athlete-models in the years ahead.