Bianca Balti rejected from Victoria’s Secret show amid cancer fight

Former Victoria’s Secret model Bianca Balti revealed that she was denied a chance to appear in the brand’s 2025 fashion show amid her ongoing battle with cancer.

In a self-published essay on Substack, Balti, who began treatment for ovarian cancer in October 2024, shared that she had written a letter to the company requesting to walk in the upcoming show.

The letter, sent on October 6, was a plea to be part of the October 15 runway event.

“I don’t know exactly where the courage came from but I did it,” she wrote. “The only things we regret in life are the chances we don’t take. So I asked myself, ‘What do I have to lose?’ and went for it. I searched LinkedIn for email addresses and sent this open letter to anyone I could find at the company.”

The model also included a full transcript of her letter addressed to the luxury lingerie brand’s team.

In her heartfelt message, the Sports Illustrated model reflected on Victoria’s Secret’s evolution and how it inspired her to reach out.

“Over the past few years, I’ve watched your brand’s beautiful transformation — a true commitment to diversity and inclusion,” the letter began. “I’ve seen women of every size, ethnicity, gender, and age represented in your campaigns and shows. When I saw the announcement that the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was returning this year, I felt something powerful: I should be there too.”

She continued, “I’m not the youngest, curviest, or fittest. But I am strong, brave, and alive, and I’m still damn sexy. I wear my scars proudly and rock my newly grown hair with pride."

Batli emphasised that the runway wouldn't just be "a personal dream" but it would "send a message to millions of women: ‘Life goes on in the face of adversity. You are not less of a woman. You are whole. You are sexy. You are unstoppable.’”

“I’m living proof of that,” she added.

“Thank you for considering me — not just for myself, but for every woman who needs to see hope and strength reflected back at her,” the Sports Illustrated model concluded her letter.

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