Irina Shayk returned to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on October 18, 2026, bringing her signature runway presence and a powerful message about self-confidence. Backstage in Los Angeles, the Russian supermodel opened up about her excitement for the show and why feeling comfortable in her own skin matters more to her than any particular beauty look.
In an interview with HOLA! USA before taking to the runway, Shayk described the atmosphere as incredible and said she was looking forward to seeing her friends and watching Megan Thee Stallion perform. But her most memorable message was about confidence, which she believes can be difficult to maintain in today’s world.
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“I’ve never felt sexier or more confident than I do right now,” Shayk shared, reflecting on how she feels at this stage of her life.
Her words offered a personal perspective on the fashion event, reminding audiences that confidence is not simply about clothing, appearance, or age. It is also about feeling comfortable with who you are.
Irina Shayk Shares Her Excitement Backstage at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show
The 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show brought established supermodels and high-profile celebrities together in Los Angeles. Shayk was among the familiar faces returning to the runway, alongside models including Adriana Lima, Bella Hadid, and Gigi Hadid.
Speaking backstage before the show, Shayk said the setting made the event particularly exciting. With the fashion world’s attention on the City of Angels, she welcomed the opportunity to reconnect with friends and enjoy the atmosphere before returning to New York.
She was also looking forward to Megan Thee Stallion’s performance, showing that her excitement extended beyond her own runway appearance.
The backstage moments offered a glimpse into the experience behind a major fashion production. While the runway showcases finished looks, the preparation area gives models an opportunity to get ready, meet colleagues, and enjoy the anticipation before stepping in front of the audience.
For Shayk, the combination of fashion, friendship, and entertainment was an important part of what made the evening special.
Irina Shayk Says Confidence Is the Key to Feeling Sexy
For Shayk, feeling sexy does not depend on a particular outfit or a single beauty secret. She explained that confidence in herself is what makes the greatest difference.
The model also acknowledged that maintaining self-confidence can be challenging in today’s world. Social expectations and constant exposure to carefully presented images can make it difficult for people to feel comfortable with their own appearance.
Rather than presenting a specific beauty routine as the answer, Shayk emphasized a more personal approach: accepting yourself and feeling comfortable in your own skin.
Her perspective gives the interview a meaning beyond celebrity fashion news. It shifts the focus from the clothes and glamorous surroundings to the way a person feels about themselves.
Shayk’s message is also relevant to conversations about body confidence and beauty standards. Fashion can be a form of self-expression, but feeling good about yourself does not have to depend on following a particular trend or meeting a specific ideal.
“I’ve Never Felt Sexier or More Confident Than I Do Right Now”
Shayk’s statement stood out because it challenged the idea that confidence is something people must achieve at a particular age or stage of life.
The supermodel has spent years working in an industry where appearance is closely connected to professional opportunities. Yet her message focused on something more personal than maintaining a certain look: knowing yourself and feeling comfortable with who you are.
Her words also suggest that confidence can develop with experience. As people grow older, their priorities and understanding of themselves can change, allowing them to approach their appearance and personal style differently.
Shayk did not describe confidence as a finished achievement or a quality that comes automatically with success. Instead, her comments acknowledged that it can be difficult while affirming how she feels about herself today.
That combination of honesty and self-assurance made her backstage interview one of the more personal moments surrounding the 2026 Victoria’s Secret show.
Irina Shayk’s Longstanding Connection to Victoria’s Secret
Shayk’s return to the Victoria’s Secret runway carries added significance because of her history with the show.
She made her Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show debut in 2016. Her appearance that year became a memorable moment in her career because she was pregnant with her daughter, Lea De Seine, although the pregnancy was not publicly known at the time.
A decade later, she returned to the Los Angeles runway for the 2026 edition. Her latest appearance demonstrated her continued connection to a fashion event that has brought together generations of established and emerging models.
Shayk’s modeling career extends well beyond Victoria’s Secret. She first gained wider recognition through lingerie campaigns and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, later becoming a familiar face in international fashion magazines and luxury brand campaigns.
Her professional experience has helped establish her as a recognizable figure in the modeling industry. Her continued runway appearances also illustrate how a long career can evolve rather than remain defined by one stage or achievement.
The 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Brings Fashion and Entertainment Together
Held at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California, the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show combined runway fashion with live entertainment and celebrity appearances.
The event featured established models, elaborate lingerie-inspired designs, signature angel wings, and performances from musical artists. Megan Thee Stallion was among the performers, while Kylie Jenner attracted attention by wearing the reported $50 million Fantasy Bra.
According to Reuters’ coverage of the show, the runway presentation explored seasonal themes, including spring, summer, autumn, and different interpretations of winter.
The production reflected the brand’s effort to combine its recognizable visual identity with contemporary entertainment and fashion culture. The models remained central to the presentation, but music, styling, and celebrity appearances helped create a broader spectacle.
For Shayk, the show’s appeal was not limited to walking the runway. Her comments about seeing friends and enjoying the atmosphere highlighted the social side of an event that brings together people from different areas of the fashion and entertainment industries.