Gigi Hadid Defends Elsa Hosk's Victoria's Secret Walk: Those Wings Weigh 75 Pounds

A Threads user decided to compare Elsa Hosk’s Victoria’s Secret runway walk to Gisele Bündchen’s and call it a downgrade. Gigi Hadid saw the post and stepped in, explaining that today’s wings can weigh over 75 pounds and stand more than 10 feet tall. That’s a completely different scale than the original Angel era, and she wanted the internet to know it.

Hosk had already addressed the criticism herself, noting that it takes three men to carry and attach her wings. Sunday’s show was her first since 2018, and it came about three months after she gave birth to her second daughter. Victoria’s Secret creative chief Adam Selman says the wings are built on a welded metal skeleton beneath sheer fabric, which sounds less like a costume and more like construction equipment.

Model-on-model defense hits differently than a brand statement, and Gigi’s support landed with fans, especially since Bella Hadid faced similar scrutiny last year. So before you critique a runway walk from your couch, remember the model is basically doing a weighted carry in heels.

Do you think runway walking deserves more credit as an athletic feat? Sound off in the comments.