Dutch model Romee Strijd confirmed on Monday, October 12, 2026, that her Victoria’s Secret comeback will not happen this year. The former Angel shared the news in two candid TikTok videos, and her words have fans talking just days before the show.
The 31-year-old said she did not make the cast for the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. She also said the way the process unfolded left her frustrated and stressed.
Romee Strijd Victoria’s Secret Update: What Happened
Strijd posted her first TikTok on Monday, October 12, 2026, to answer a question fans kept asking. People wanted to know if she would walk in this year’s show. She said she had dodged the question because even she did not have an answer.
Her plan had been simple. After becoming a mother of two, she felt ready to return to the Victoria’s Secret runway. She trained through the summer and flew to New York City in September 2026 for the casting.
A New Team and a Long Wait
Strijd explained that Victoria’s Secret now works with a brand-new creative and casting team. She already knew the casting director and a few colleagues from an earlier shoot. She still attended the casting in person like everyone else.
After the casting, she expected a quick answer. Instead, weeks passed in silence. About five weeks later, with the show only six days away, she still had no word. She believed she sat on a “maybe” list.
She kept asking her agency for updates, but the replies stayed vague. Meanwhile, she kept training, since fashion decisions can change at the last minute.
Second Video Confirms the Final Answer
A few hours later, Strijd posted a follow-up video. By then she had spoken with her agency, and the answer was a definite no.
She said rejection is a normal part of modeling, and she accepted the decision itself. What bothered her was the lack of a clear reason. Her agency told her the team felt she would not fit the show this year.
The Mixed Messages Behind the Decision
The part that hurt most, she said, was the contradiction. Her agency also mentioned she had been released earlier in the process. That did not match what she heard during the previous weeks, when she was told the casting director simply was not there yet.
Strijd said the story did not add up. She felt less supported by her agency, IMG, and wanted a straight answer instead of weeks of uncertainty. The mental stress, she added, hurt more than missing the show.
Why She May Not Cast Again
Strijd closed the video on a calm but firm note. She called it a closed chapter and said she expects the show to be great. She also said she probably will not go through casting for the show again, because she disliked how the process went and how she felt treated.
Even so, she wants to protect her good memories of Victoria’s Secret. Her tone throughout was disappointed, not bitter.
Frida Aasen May Also Be Missing
Strijd may not be the only familiar face missing from the 2026 lineup. Evie Magazine published a piece on October 12, 2026, questioning the casting choices. It said fellow runway veteran Frida Aasen has reportedly missed out as well.
That report remains unconfirmed by Victoria’s Secret. Aasen walked the show in 2017 and 2018, the same era as Strijd. The same piece argued that both models fit the glamorous, playful look the brand became famous for.
Who Is Romee Strijd?
Romee Strijd was born on July 19, 1995, in Zoetermeer, Netherlands. She signed with DNA Model Management at 15 and later joined IMG Models. Her career took off quickly in Paris and beyond.
Her Victoria’s Secret story started in 2014, when she debuted on the runway. She became an official Angel in 2015, joining Karen Mulder and Doutzen Kroes as the third Dutch model to earn the title. She walked every show through 2018.
The 2018 Shooting Star Moment
Her biggest runway moment came in 2018. Victoria’s Secret picked her to wear the Shooting Star Swarovski look in the Celestial Angel segment. The look weighed 27 pounds, and crafters spent more than 250 hours applying crystals to the wing alone.
Strijd has said she felt like a superhero wearing it. The outfit remains one of the most talked-about pieces from the show’s classic era.
Life Beyond the Runway
Today Strijd shares family life with her husband, Laurens van Leeuwen. The couple has two daughters, born in December 2020 and November 2022. She also runs a popular YouTube channel and has millions of social media followers.
Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2026: Key Details
The brand’s third modern-era show arrives on Sunday, October 18, 2026. It moves from New York to Los Angeles, a first for the revived event. Victoria’s Secret announced the Los Angeles move on July 16, 2026.
Confirmed Models
Ten models have been named so far. They include Adriana Lima, Gigi Hadid, Paloma Elsesser, Imaan Hammam, Anok Yai, Candice Swanepoel, Ashley Graham, Abby Champion, Alex Consani, and Devyn Garcia. More names may be added before show night.
Performers and Angel Search
The all-women musical lineup, announced on September 29, 2026, features KATSEYE, Megan Moroney, Megan Thee Stallion, and Tate McRae. The brand also ran an open search for a new Angel, documented in the YouTube series Angels Among Us. One winner is set to earn her wings during the show and sign with IMG Models.
How to Watch
Fans can stream the show live on the brand’s official YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok accounts. Showtimes can vary by region, so check the brand’s channels for local timing.
What Fans Are Saying
Strijd’s openness about a tough professional moment has drawn attention across fashion media. Commentators have questioned why a model with her runway history and a fresh comeback effort could not secure a spot.
Casting for a show this big is competitive, and past appearances never guarantee a place. Still, the story highlights how stressful the process can be, even for established names.
What Comes Next for Romee Strijd
Strijd has not announced any new plans tied to the show. She remains active with fashion campaigns, social media, and her family life. Her message to fans was clear: she is moving forward and wishes the selected models well.
Victoria’s Secret has not detailed its casting decisions publicly. If either side shares more before October 18, 2026, this story may develop further.
What do you think about Romee Strijd missing the Victoria’s Secret runway this year? Share your thoughts in the comments, and keep checking back for the latest updates before the show.