Natalia Bryant's preparation for her Victoria's Secret Fashion Show debut has renewed debate over celebrity connections in the modelling world. The 23-year-old daughter of the late basketball star Kobe Bryant and Vanessa Bryant walked in the 2026 show in Los Angeles on Sunday, 18 October, as some fashion fans continued to question the growing number of famous names on the runway.
Bryant shared her excitement about joining the famous lingerie show and explained how she got ready for the big night. However, her family name has also put her at the centre of a wider discussion about whether celebrity connections give some models an advantage over others.
Her Runway Preparation
Bryant said she was 'over the moon' about being chosen for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, which she had watched since childhood. To prepare for her first appearance, she watched clips from past shows to learn more about the models and their runway walks.
No shade but this is pure nepotism https://t.co/wTarTwQu2E
— ben A…. (@benalives12) October 18, 2026
Her pre-show routine also included yoga, stretching and music to help her feel ready. She named Dua Lipa, Beyoncé and Tate McRae among the artists she listened to before stepping onto the runway. Bryant also said she was excited about the chance to meet model Candice Swanepoel, one of the show's familiar faces.
The young model had already begun building her career before this latest opportunity. She made her runway debut at Versace's Spring/Summer 2024 show and has since worked with other fashion brands, including Boss and Off-White. Her Victoria's Secret appearance marked another major step in her growing career.
Nepotism Debate Grows
Despite her growing experience, Bryant's latest career move has revived questions about the role of family connections in fashion. Some social media users have questioned whether famous people's children get chances that other aspiring models may struggle to get. The debate followed Bryant earlier in her career, including her modelling work and a past internship with Beyoncé's company.
The debate grew more heated ahead of the 2026 show after former Victoria's Secret Angel Romee Strijd revealed she hadn't been selected. Strijd said she trained over the summer and attended a casting in New York, but was later told she wouldn't be walking in the show. Her experience raised new questions about the brand's casting choices and its decision to feature celebrity names.
For critics, the concern is not simply that Bryant has a famous father, but whether all models have a fair chance to compete for the same jobs. However, being related to a celebrity does not by itself prove that someone lacks talent or has not worked hard. The debate highlights the challenge of judging a model's career when fame and professional experience can overlap.
Building Her Own Career
Bryant has taken steps to build a career beyond her family name, including studying film at the University of Southern California. She signed with IMG Models in 2021 and later appeared on the Versace runway in Milan. These experiences show that her work in fashion began before her Victoria's Secret debut.
Her appearance also came at a time when Victoria's Secret was bringing both well-known models and new faces to its runway. The brand's 2026 show included established names such as Gigi Hadid, Adriana Lima and Candice Swanepoel, alongside newer talent. This mix has kept attention on how the company chooses the people who represent it.
Open Casting Offers Hope
Victoria's Secret has also made efforts to find new models through open casting calls. Its Angels Among Us series follows hopeful models as they compete for a chance to join the brand, giving viewers a look at the work involved in getting onto the runway.
Natalia Bryant para Pink estoy tan feliz por ella #vsfashionshow2026 pic.twitter.com/BQWY4akxLA
— MAR (@mar__qm) October 19, 2026
The 2026 show introduced Solange Omon as the winner of a casting search that began with thousands of hopefuls. Omon, 21 and from Cameroon, went through several rounds before earning her place. Her story offers another example of how models can enter the industry without starting as famous names.
Still, an open casting does not end questions about fairness in fashion. Some aspiring models may feel that fame and family connections bring extra attention that experience alone can't match. For Bryant, the challenge may be proving that her work can stand on its own as she builds her career.
