Elsa Hosk has responded to people criticising her walk at the 2026 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show by pointing out just how much work it took to wear her huge angel wings. The Swedish model shared a message on Instagram after her appearance at the show in Los Angeles on Sunday, 18 October, explaining that three men were needed to carry the wings and place them on her back.
The model's gold-and-bronze wings became one of the standouts looks of the night, but her runway walk also drew mixed reactions online. Hosk used her Instagram Story to remind viewers that walking in such a large costume was no easy task, especially while wearing high heels.
Elsa Hosk Defends Her Runway Walk
In an Instagram Story shared after the show, Hosk addressed people who had been talking about her runway walk. 'Also for the people on the internet talking about my walk, it took THREE men to carry these wings and put them on my back. Let that sink in,' she wrote.
“E para quem está na internet falando sobre o meu jeito de andar, foram necessários TRÊS homens para carregar essas asas e colocá-las nas minhas costas. Pensem nisso! 🫶”. - Elsa Hosk via Instagram Stories. pic.twitter.com/bAcOSnaosX
— Elsa Hosk Brasil (@elsahoskbrs) October 20, 2026
Her message highlighted the wings' size as a key part of the challenge. The large gold design spread far beyond her body, making it one of the most eye-catching parts of her look.
Hosk did not name the people who criticised her or point to any one comment in her message. Instead, she focused on the effort required to wear the wings, giving viewers a different way to see her runway performance.
Hosk Returned After Giving Birth
The runway appearance was also a personal milestone for Hosk, who welcomed her second daughter, Flora Blue, in July 2026. She shares her children with her fiancé, Tom Daly, and is also a mother to an older daughter, Tuulikki.
The October show marked Hosk's first Victoria's Secret Fashion Show since she gave birth to her second child. She returned just months after becoming a mother again, adding another challenge to an already demanding runway appearance.
Hosk was not the only model to return to the show after giving birth. Barbara Palvin also walked in the 2026 event about six weeks after welcoming her first child, while other models have spoken about balancing motherhood with runway work.
Her Huge Angel Wings Stole Show
Hosk returned to the Victoria's Secret runway on Sunday, 18 October, wearing a lingerie look with large gold wings. The 2026 show took place in Los Angeles and featured elaborate costumes inspired by the four seasons, with models wearing designs made to stand out on the runway.
The wings were among the event's biggest looks, and photos of Hosk in the costume spread across social media. One post joked that men might brag about how much they could lift but would struggle to carry her wings, prompting Hosk to add that she had worn them in heels after giving birth.
The show also featured well-known models and musical performances from Megan Thee Stallion, Tate McRae, KATSEYE and Megan Moroney. The return of the event to Los Angeles added another major moment to the brand's annual fashion show.
Online Reactions Remain Divided
The reactions to Hosk's walk show how quickly runway moments can become a topic of debate online. While some viewers focused on her movements, others pointed to the size of her wings and the difficulty of walking in a costume that large.
Her response brought attention back to the work behind the look. The wings had to be carried and placed on her back by three men, according to Hosk, before she could walk onto the runway in heels.
The moment also serves as a reminder that a fashion show involves more than the few seconds viewers see on screen. Models must move in carefully designed outfits while managing their balance, footwear and large accessories, all while performing in front of an audience.
