Gigi Hadid is defending fellow model Elsa Hosk after criticism of her walk at the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. She also explained how physically demanding the iconic Victoria’s Secret Angel wings can be. Hadid explained that today’s Victoria’s Secret Angels sometimes carry enormous wings throughout their runway walks. She said some runway wings weigh more than 75 pounds and stand over 10 feet tall.
Gigi Hadid revealed that Victoria’s Secret wings can weigh more than 75 pounds
Hadid jumped into the discussion after a Threads user criticized Hosk’s runway walk and compared it with Gisele Bündchen’s. In her response on Threads, Hadid immediately defended her fellow model, writing, “Elsa slayed this.”
She then explained why it might be unfair to compare today’s shows with earlier Victoria’s Secret runway events. According to Hadid, both the scale of the runway and the size of the wings have changed significantly.
“It’s a looong walk in the wings these days,” Hadid wrote. She added that some can weigh “75+ lbs,” rise more than 10 feet, and even include animatronic elements.
The weight is not the only challenge. Hadid said the oversized wings are not aerodynamic. Models also have to contend with strong runway fans while wearing the oversized wings.
Hadid revealed that it can take three people to remove the wings after a model finishes her runway walk. She praised Hosk as “stunning” and “strong” before telling critics, “Y’all have no clue.”
Hosk was not the only model who faced scrutiny during this year’s show. Jasmine Tookes also faced online criticism over her appearance while wearing large wings. Tookes later pushed back after a clip of her runway moment went viral, explaining that viewers had seen her near the end of her walk.
Hadid’s comments also follow a similar experience involving her sister. Bella Hadid revealed that the wings she wore to close the 2025 show weighed around 50 pounds.
The elaborate designs may create a memorable spectacle on the runway. However, wearing them requires more strength and control than viewers might realize.
