Gigi Hadid: “The world is so hard on girls.”

Gigi Hadid confirmed her comeback to the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in a video shared by the brand. In the clip, she gets emotional as she looks back on trying out “two or three times” before she booked her first show in 2015. She says the world was “so hard on her” and adds that it’s hard on girls in general. 

The 2025 show is set for October 15, with a lineup of female music headliners. Fans can expect a large live production. 

“I’m just so happy for her… she wanted it so bad… I look back, and the world was so hard on her.” 

Why her words resonate

Gigi isn’t only talking about herself. She points to the pressure many young women face online and in the industry. She says she still feels a duty to do her best for the team behind the scenes. And she feels proud of that younger version of herself who kept going. 

Back in 2015, after her debut, she posted a direct message to critics. She said she fit sample sizes. She said she worked hard. And she said fashion should evolve and not stay the same. 

At a glance: Gigi’s VS runway timeline

Year	Event	Notes
2015	First Victoria’s Secret runway	Booked after multiple auditions; later answered body-shaming online.
2016	Returns to VS show	Confirmed among 2016 model roster.
2018	Third VS appearance	Memorable “parachute” wings; near brush with Shawn Mendes onstage.
2024	Show revival; opens runway	Pink silky playsuit; giant wings; NYC stage.
2025	Returns once again	Show set for Oct 15; all-female headliners.}

What the 2025 show looks like

• Date: October 15, 2025 (announced by the brand and reported widely). 
• Music: A slate of women headliners, continuing the 2024 trend. 
• Format: Large-scale live show with streaming partners (per brand’s 2025 updates). 

Gigi’s return fits the show’s story. The event blends fashion with performance. It also signals that the brand is still building a new image after its break. 

Her 2015 message, in plain words

In 2015, Gigi told followers that she does not look like every model. But she said that’s okay. She said she was learning, improving, and working. And she said she would not change her body because of mean comments. She also asked people to be open to change. Those lines are now a core part of her story. 

• “I fit the samples.” She pushed back on claims she needed special treatment. 
• “I’m a hard worker.” She credited work, not hype, for her place. 
• “Fashion evolves.” She argued the industry can’t stay the same. 

How fans and media reacted now

Coverage of the new video calls it a “full-circle” moment. Reports note her tears, her pride, and her wish to honor her younger self. Media also highlight that she keeps coming back because the show is creative and exciting for her. 

Fans also remember her 2024 opener. Many praised the wings and the scale of the staging. Photos show the bright pink look and the dramatic entrance. 

Bottom line

Gigi Hadid is returning to a major runway after speaking honestly about how tough things were at the start. The message is simple but strong. The world can be hard on girls. It can be harsh online. But hard work and support matter, and so does change. She says she’s proud of the girl who got that first shot. And she’s ready to walk again in 2025.

Featured img url – gracie otto, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons