Karol G and Valentina Castro Bring Colombian Power to the Victoria’s Secret Runway

Karol G is no stranger to commanding a stage — but this time, it wasn’t a concert. After performing a medley of her biggest summer hits, the Colombian superstar strutted down the 2025 Victoria’s Secret runway in fiery red, from her wings to her heels.

She wasn’t the only Latina lighting up the night. Joining her was fellow Colombian Valentina Castro, the first model from Colombia to debut during the PINK Halftime Show.

Castro, who works under IMG Models, made her high-fashion debut in 2024 walking for Louis Vuitton. This year, she shared the runway with legends like Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio, two of the most iconic “Angels” to ever wear the brand’s wings — both of whom began their Victoria’s Secret journeys in the early 2000s.

Latinas have had a long, if sporadic, history on the Victoria’s Secret runway. The first was Inés Rivero, an Argentinian model who joined the ranks in 1998. Since then, Brazilian models have dominated the VS stage, with a few notable faces from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico sprinkled in over the years.

But the brand’s path to genuine inclusion hasn’t been without turbulence. After heavy criticism in 2019 for its lack of diversity and outdated standards of beauty, Victoria’s Secret began a slow but visible transformation. That same year, Valentina Sampaio made history as the first transgender model to work with the brand. She walked her first show in 2024 alongside Alex Consani, another trans model, marking a milestone for representation on the iconic runway.

The 2024 show also welcomed more body and age diversity, featuring Ashley Graham and Kate Moss, signaling a clear effort to expand beyond traditional beauty ideals.

Still, the question lingers: how authentic are these changes? As a billion-dollar brand founded in 1977, Victoria’s Secret doesn’t need to diversify to stay profitable — yet it’s doing so anyway. Whether that’s strategic or sincere, the impact is undeniable. Representation sells, but it also inspires.

This year’s show reminded viewers that the brand’s runway is no longer just for a narrow definition of beauty. It’s evolving — slowly, but visibly.

And as Karol G and Valentina Castro proved, Latinas aren’t just walking the runway — they’re owning it. Their presence signals a new era for Victoria’s Secret: one where women of every background, body, and story are finally taking flight.