By Pavlina Hatzopoulos
Dozens of the world’s most beautiful models landed in London yesterday as they prepared for the most anticipated runway show of the year, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Riding in style, the models opted for a VS private jet, giving their wings a bit of a rest.
Image via Getty Images
However, it’s not all private jets, perfectly blow-dried hair and prancing around in lingerie for massive amounts of money. Getting to this point was a reality for only a small handful of models, and the girls who did make the cut work and train their toned little butts off for months to even be considered for the show.
I can only imagine that casting for Victoria’s Secret is one the highlights in a model’s year; what I do know is that the casting is MASSIVE. So many girls would give anything to have that moment on the VS runway – that coveted spot could turn you from a nobody into a household name. So it’s no surprise that around 1000 girls attend the first casting. The panel is looking to ‘be inspired’ and for girls who are ‘well proportioned’ with ‘beautiful skin’ and a ‘great personality’. With these cutthroat criteria this 1000 then gets cut down to around 25 models in the final lineup. That leaves almost 1000 broken hearts and shattered dreams, the rejection after working and training so hard for that one job is devastating.
Even for the girls who are lucky enough to be picked, the hard work does not stop there. The models, in preparation for the show, take up rigorous exercise and diet regimes, and their training schedules are insane. A few of the chosen girls, including Kelly Gale, attended an intense boxing boot camp in Tulum, Mexico, held by Aerospace, which is highly renowned for getting VS girls in top shape. Even by looking at their weekend schedule, it’s pretty clear that these girls train like true athletes.
Image via Kelly Gale’s Instagram @kellybellyboom
Talking to Vogue, Angel Erin Heatherton ups the ante on Ballet Beautiful classes in the month leading up to the show, and Lais Ribeiro keeps fit and strong with Muay Thai. Diets are strict too as the models generally eat a more protein based diet and cut out all sweets. Even a few years back, Brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima, who is an avid boxer, admitted to only drinking liquids and shakes in the nine days leading up to the show.
Image via Vogue.com
Not only do the girls have to prepare themselves physically, but also mentally. The pressure put on these models is intense, as this is a career make or break moment. These models have the same insecurities as you and I, so they would most likely be somewhat anxious about millions of people watching them strut in nothing but lingerie too. Even for all the newbie models, being pinned up next to VS greats like Adriana and Alessandra must be insanely nerve-wracking. The lead up to the show is an emotional rollercoaster with even Angel Behati Prinsloo says the hardest part about getting ready is ‘mental preparation.’
But with a star studded lineup of performers like Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande, two Fantasy Bras valued at $2 million each and dozens of the world’s most beautiful women who have worked so hard to get to where they are, you can brace yourself for the hottest night of television you could ever imagine.
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show airs on the 9th of December on CBS.
Feature Image via Instagram: @victoriassecret
Instagram: @pavlina__h
