Valentina Sampaio has managed to shatter the oppressive ‘transphobic’ beauty standards of Victoria’s Secret by becoming the first openly trans model to be crowned as a Victoria’s Secret ‘Angel’.
The 22-year-old Brazilian model recently revealed the news through a thread of Instagram posts, while shooting for the brand. In one of her pictures captioned ‘Backstage Click’ she tagged the official PINK account, a sub-brand of Victoria’s secret.
Back in 2017, Valentina was also the first-ever trans woman to feature on the cover of Vogue, when she graced the cover of Vogue Paris’ March edition.

Surprisingly, less than a year ago in November Victoria’s Secret’s Chief Marketing Officer, Ed Razeks made a deeply offensive statement about how “transsexual” and plus-sized women do not behold the “fantasy” that Victoria’s Secret is trying to sell.
Victoria’s Secret’s problematic stance ignited Netizens and the brand was condemned as ‘transphobic’ and ‘fatphobic’. However, the brand instantly realsied the gravity of the situation and went into damage control mode.
Please read this important message from Ed Razek, Chief Marketing Officer, L Brands (parent company of Victoria’s Secret). pic.twitter.com/CW8BztmOaM
— Victoria’s Secret (@VictoriasSecret) November 10, 2018
Valentina has inspired many by shattering the age-old beauty standards and winning her battle for representation.
Whether hiring their first openly trans model was for damage control or a case of ‘rebranding’, the internet sure as hell is proud of their move for inclusivity.
First transgender to shoot with Vs! This make me so happy! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/JydOd2mFQb
— Lais Ribeiro (@Lalaribeiro16) August 3, 2019
Victoria’s Secret has hired its first Transgender model! i could literally cry out of happiest. i’ve said from the beginning the point of my video was never to be cast as a model. i just wanted to prove that Trans woman can sell the fantasy! to see change like this is amazing! 👼🏻 pic.twitter.com/M2P4mHrIla
— Nikita Dragun (@NikitaDragun) August 4, 2019

The Orange Is The New Black star and sn LGBTQ+ community activist, Laverne Cox also shared her joy.

