People Are Fully Convinced That Kylie Jenner’s Victoria’s Secret Debut Was A “Last Minute” Back-Up Plan, So Here’s The Truth

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At the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on Oct. 18, Kylie Jenner made a surprise runway appearance to model the coveted Fantasy Bra.

Person wearing large feathered wings, a sparkling embellished top, and sheer shorts, posing as an angel on a lit stage

She was cheered on by her mom, Kris Jenner, and her boyfriend, Timothée Chalamet, as she strutted the runway in a glittering bra set with 18-carat gold and 4,410 diamonds. It took 15 craftspeople more than 1,000 hours to build it, and it's worth a whopping $50 million — making it the most expensive Victoria's Secret Fantasy Bra to date.

Person wearing an embellished bra and skirt set with large feathered wings, walking on a fashion runway

As is the case with pretty much everything that Kylie's famous family does, the moment sparked some seriously mixed reactions online. Some people absolutely loved the surprise, while others were horrified that Kylie was selected to wear the Fantasy Bra over actual models and VSFS veterans, like Adriana Lima, Elsa Hosk, Jasmine Tookes, Barbara Palvin, or even Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, who returned to the VS runway for the first time in 16 years.

Model on runway with large angel wings and sparkling lingerie. Audience members are seated, some taking photos

And amid the discourse, critics have proposed a theory to explain Kylie's involvement in the show, with fans speculating that she was a last-minute replacement for Victoria's Secret legend, Gisele Bündchen.

Model walking runway in elaborate lingerie with a cape and tiara, showcasing a glamorous, confident style

For context, Gisele is not only one of the most iconic models of all time, but she's also pretty much Victoria's Secret royalty. Gisele made her VSFS debut in 1999, and a year later, she signed a record-setting $25 million contract with the brand.

Model on runway wearing embellished lingerie with fur trim and angel wings

She appeared on the VSFS runway for the next six years, delivering some of the show's most iconic walks. In 2000, Gisele memorably wore the "Red Hot Fantasy Bra," which was made up of 1,300 gemstones, including 300 carats of Thai rubies. With a price tag of $15 million, it was the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever made — until Kylie's look shattered the record this year.

Model poses in a sequin bikini at a fashion event, standing confidently against a starry backdrop

Gisele retired from runway modeling in 2015 and hasn't walked in the VSFS since 2006. In the past few years, Gisele has been dipping her toe back into the modeling world, and after it was announced on Oct. 15 that the Fantasy Bra would be making a comeback for this year's runway show, fans were quick to speculate that she might be the one to wear it.

Person on runway in elegant patterned halter dress, with long wavy hair, looking at the camera

But then, two days before the show on Oct. 16, Gisele was photographed using crutches and wearing a medical boot while out and about in Miami.

Person in elegant black textured dress poses on a red carpet

So, after Kylie's VSFS debut made headlines, the timing of Gisele's mystery injury had people wondering if the reality star's involvement had actually been a last-minute backup plan. "Guess Gisele was going to wear it but because of her sprain they had to call Kylie Jenner in an emergency?" one X user speculated. "Why, how do you explain giving the most expensive fantasy bra in history to someone who never walked the runway!???"

KMazur / Getty Images, Taylor Hill / Getty Images

"It was probably meant for [Gisele] but she's injured," echoed someone else. "Kylie draws attention & is probably the same size. They can't just swap in another model but they're not all the same size & they already have their own look. They already have influencers & nepo babies, what's the difference."

Tweet discussing a model, Giselle, being injured and Kylie drawing attention as a possible replacement. Mentions influencers and "nepo babies."

Tweet speculating about a planned stunt change due to Gisele's foot injury

Tweet discussing a last-minute change in a Victoria's Secret show lineup, with Kylie replacing Gisele due to Gisele's foot injury

Tweet mentions rumors about Gisele's ankle injury and Kylie being a backup option

Tweet referencing Kylie Jenner wearing the fantasy bra because Gisele was unavailable

This viral theory was bolstered by the fact that Gisele made a surprise cameo in the VSFS broadcast, appearing in two pre-taped videos. In one of the clips, she teased that fans could expect to see "more of [her] real soon." With this in mind, someone on X suggested: "Gisele was supposed to wear the Fantasy Bra, marking her return. But since she broke her foot, they passed it on to Kylie. That's why Gisele left that message at the end of the runway show."

Person on a couch wearing a lacy lingerie set, holding a bowl of popcorn, with sheer curtains in the background

Now, amid all the online speculation and debate, Kylie has released a behind-the-scenes vlog which clears up a few things...

Model with angel wings getting final touches on hair, wearing a jeweled top and flowing skirt, preparing for a fashion show backstage

Sitting in her car ahead of the VSFS rehearsal, which took place on Oct. 16, Kylie explained that the Victoria's Secret team "asked [her] to do this so long ago."

Person with long hair smiling, seated in a car interior, wearing a sleeveless top

"Time just moves so fast," she said, recalling that she got the offer "months ago." "I didn't really know how to say no. This is so special. I grew up watching the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, and, of course, how could anyone say no? I feel grateful that I'm able to experience it."

Person with long hair in a car, looking towards the camera. They are wearing a sleeveless top

Later in the vlog, while getting her hair and makeup done on the big day, Kylie talked about receiving the offer with her BFF, Anastasia Karanikolaou. "It's not like I reached out myself, like 'Hey, can I wear the bra?' They came to me," Kylie said. "Like, how could you say no? I'm just, like, trying to not be so nervous."

A person is seated, wearing striped pajamas and a robe, being styled by a team of three in a studio setting

On top of this, Kylie also took to IG to share some additional behind-the-scenes footage from her VSFS fittings. One dated clip shows that she tried on the completed Fantasy Bra for the first time on Oct. 5, more than two weeks ago.

Person wearing an ornate, jeweled bra with fringe and angel wings in a fitting room. Text references trying on "fantasy bra" for Victoria's Secret

What's more, the Victoria's Secret team has also talked publicly about the decision to offer Kylie the Fantasy Bra spot, saying that it came down to the fact that she's a "cultural powerhouse."

Person wearing a gem-studded bra with large wings, posing at a fashion event

"Kylie really extends beyond fashion, beyond culture, beyond TV, beyond one singular thing," Victoria's Secret's chief creative officer, Adam Selman, told Vogue. "That’s the exact same thing that we do. Like, the show is so big, it’s true entertainment, and I think that she is a great catalyst for that. She’s really created her own culture, which — how many people can say that?"

Person with long wavy hair in a shimmering, low-cut evening gown, posing in front of a neutral background

Hate all you want, but I hear no lies! I thought Kylie was a great choice, and it sounds like we've got some Gisele and Victoria's Secret magic to look forward to in the near future.

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