Supermodel Gisele Bündchen surprised viewers with a pre-recorded appearance at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2026 in Los Angeles on October 18, 2026, delivering a mysterious video message just days after being photographed using crutches in Miami.
Gisele Bündchen re-emerged on screens during the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2026, hosted at the Sony Pictures Studios in Los Angeles on Sunday, October 18, 2026. Rather than appearing live on the catwalk, the 46-year-old supermodel greeted the audience through pre-recorded video segments broadcast during the event’s transmission.
Dressed in the brand’s traditional striped robe and light pink lingerie, she opened the broadcast by looking directly into the camera to ask Gisele Bündchen asked, Are you ready for the show?
. At present, Gisele Bündchen resides in Miami, United States, alongside her husband, jiu-jitsu instructor Joaquim Valente, and her children: River, Benjamin and Vivian. Over the years, her career has also seen behind-the-scenes tensions; in a 2011 interview with the New York Post, designer Ted Southern—tasked with crafting the iconic Victoria’s Secret Angel wings—criticized her backstage behavior, stating she was very difficult and constantly yelling.
Crutches in Miami and the Rumors Surrounding the Runway
The video appearances quelled speculation about whether the Brazilian icon would physically walk in the event. Whispers of a potential live runway return intensified after paparazzi photographed her leaving a hotel in Miami on Friday, October 16, 2026, relying on crutches and an orthopedic boot on her right foot.
Gisele by Russell James 2004 for Victoria’s Secret pic.twitter.com/vsTaj85dou
Neither the supermodel nor her representatives released public statements detailing the nature or cause of the injury leaving the exact diagnosis unconfirmed. Representatives for the lingerie brand also declined to formally verify whether her physical condition directly prompted her absence from the live catwalk, keeping public attention fixed on her social media channels as images circulated widely online.
A Cryptic Sign-Off and Two Decades of Fashion History
When the broadcast concluded, Bündchen returned to screens in a second recorded segment wearing lace pink lingerie and leaving fans with a parting tease about future projects.
Gisele Bündchen told Portal UAI, You'll see more of me soon.
Alternative coverage from Purepeople noted that she signed off with a Portuguese tchau
, adding a personal touch to her return.
That brief appearance marked a significant moment in her relationship with the brand. Bündchen first joined the roster of Angels in 1999 at age 19, before stepping away from regular runway modeling in 2015. During her years with the company, she wore some of the most expensive garments in the history of the show, including the 2000 Red Hot Fantasy Bra, which was valued at US$ 15 million, and the 2005 Sexy Splendor Fantasy Bra, estimated at US$ 12.5 million. The 2005 piece was crafted from 18-karat white gold and featured 2,900 diamonds, 22 rubies, and a central Mouawad Splendor diamond. Her final live walk for the label occurred in 2006, when she walked the runway to Justin Timberlake performing his hit “SexyBack”.
Other Brazilian Models on the 2026 Runway
While Bündchen’s presence was confined to pre-recorded video, a strong cohort of Brazilian talent walked the physical runway in Los Angeles alongside international stars like Gigi Hadid and Candice Swanepoel.
- Alessandra Ambrosio: Celebrated her 20th appearance in the brand’s fashion show.
- Carol Trentini: Returned to the company’s runway after a 17-year absence.
- Adriana Lima: Joined the lineup alongside Gizele Oliveira, Daiane Sodré, and Gabi Moura, with Luiza Perote making her brand debut.
The event also featured musical performances by Megan Thee Stallion, Tate McRae, Megan Moroney, and the group Katseye, marking the third staging of the show since its 2024 revival following a nearly six-year hiatus.