It's no secret that mega lingerie brand Victoria's Secret is both transphobic and fatphobic. In November, the clothing powerhouse's chief marketing officer, Ed Razek, made comments that proved exactly that. "It’s like, why doesn’t your show do this? Shouldn’t you have transsexuals in the show? No. No, I don’t think we should. Well, why not? Because the show is a fantasy. It’s a 42-minute entertainment special. That’s what it is," he said.
But that wasn't all — he then continued on, saying that there was no interest in watching plus-size women either. "We attempted to do a television special for plus-sizes [in 2000]. No one had any interest in it, still don’t," he disgustingly remarked.
Well, it looks like those words are coming back to bite yet again, because a recent announcement from one of the brand's most loyal models insists that this year's highly anticipated Victoria's Secret Fashion Show has been canceled — but no one's really protesting the idea.
Every year, men and women alike eagerly await the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
The lingerie fashion showcase is basically one of the most watched television events of the year. Dozens of scantily clad, tall, thin, and cisgender models take the stage with A-list musical acts every single year. However, in the past few years, the brand's immense controversy has drastically affected its reputation, sales, and TV ratings. In fact, last year's runway show delivered the lowest ratings the brand had ever seen.
But the annual show might be shut down due to constant controversy and lack of inclusion.
This week, People reported that recurring VS Fashion Show model Shanina Shaik told The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday, July 30, that the show would be canceled this year. "Unfortunately, the Victoria’s Secret Show won’t be happening this year,” she alleged. "They’re trying to work on branding and new ways to do the show."
Of course, some were heartbroken by the news.
Young women who once dreamed of the opportunity to rock a pair of angel wings and rock that runway were obviously let down. However, it's looking like that dream may not manifest in reality.
"Victoria’s Secret fashion show is cancelled… my heart is broken. I wanted to be a VS model since I was little," one woman tweeted.
But most seem to be relieved.
"Turns out the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show has become so dated and patriarchal that it is has now been cancelled That's right! you're cancelled. Now the archetype of feminine 'beauty' can receive an update," someone commented, noting that finally the standard of beauty in the lingerie business can get a much-needed makeover.
Now maybe other lingerie brands can carry a more inclusive torch.
Brands like Aerie, perhaps? At least that's what fans are suggesting.
"For years Victoria's Secret annual Fashion Show has made girls feel like crap because they don't look like the models. They only think one body type is beautiful and tolerable. I am happy the VS Fashion show is cancelled. Now can there be an @Aerie fashion show??" someone said hopefully.
Some even feel that YouTuber Nikita Dragun may have something to do with the decision.
Following Razek's transphobic remarks, influencer Nikita Dragun posted a fierce video proving that trans women can, in fact, fulfill a fantasy.
"I’m so glad the Victoria’s Secret fashion show is cancelled this year. After the chief of marketing’s statement last year, its safe to say that [redacted] deserves whats happening. And @NikitaDragun definitely gave them hell with her fantasy video," someone tweeted.
With all the massive red flags VS has been serving recently, the decision is a sigh of relief for many consumers.
"Apparently the 2019 vsfs was cancelled, it’s so sad cause every year I’m looking forward to see my girl on the runway, but despite of that, I think it’s for the best. Victoria’s Secret it’s becoming a joke and I think it’s time for them to focus more in their colections," someone said about the clothing brand refocusing its efforts.
This trend is not new for the industry.
"You know Tim pool actually came up with a theory in one of his earlier videos today and in that video he described how companies are going woke because they're going broke and they go woke to attract more consumers so they can get more money it's Tim's opinion one that I believe," someone criticized.
So what are your thoughts? Is the possible cancellation more a good thing or bad?
