“I’ve Always Dreamed of Being a Victoria’s Secret Angel” — Sophie Cunningham Inspired by Angel Reese’s Stunning Runway Debut

When Angel Reese stepped onto the Victoria’s Secret runway, it wasn’t just a crossover moment for a rising basketball star—it was a spark. Minutes later, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham made her intentions unmistakably clear: she wants in.

“Oh my God, I texted my agents right away and said please, pleaaase… This has been a dream of mine since second grade. I’ve always wanted to be a Victoria’s Secret Angel,” Cunningham said, reacting to Reese’s debut with a blend of excitement and resolve. And then the closer: “If she can do it, so can we.”

Cunningham’s reaction captured a bigger shift unfolding in women’s sports: elite athletes expanding their platforms, redefining what it means to be a pro, and claiming spaces traditionally seen as outside the game.

A New Kind of Crossover

Angel Reese’s runway appearance wasn’t a one-off novelty; it was the latest example of athletes bridging culture, fashion, and media. Reese, already a magnet for attention and conversation, brought her signature confidence to a stage known for spectacle and star power—signaling that women’s basketball is no longer confined to courts and highlight reels.

Cunningham saw the message. And she responded like an athlete: with ambition and action. Texting her agents “right away” is a small detail, but it represents a decisive pivot—one that mirrors how today’s stars seize momentum in real time.

Why This Matters

– Visibility multiplies value. Every runway appearance, brand collaboration, or campaign extends the reach of women’s basketball—bringing new fans to the sport and new energy to the broader women’s sports economy.
– Role models, remixed. For younger fans, the idea that a player can be both a fierce competitor and a fashion figure is now normalized. The pipeline widens when possibilities expand.
– The power of precedent. Reese’s debut sends a signal to brands: athletes aren’t just fit models; they’re cultural leaders. Cunningham’s immediate interest shows the domino effect in action.

Sophie Cunningham’s Moment

Known for her toughness, swagger, and on-court relentlessness, Cunningham isn’t shy about big stages. The runway, in many ways, is another arena—one where presence, personality, and performance matter just as much as in the final two minutes of a tight game.

Her quote—“This has been a dream of mine since second grade”—adds depth. This isn’t a bandwagon play. It’s a long-held aspiration resurfacing at the right time, backed by real momentum in the women’s game and a fashion industry increasingly attuned to authenticity and athleticism.

Fashion Meets Firepower

There’s a reason athletes are resonating with legacy and emerging fashion brands alike:
– They embody discipline, storytelling, and global appeal.
– They carry built-in communities and credibility with younger audiences.
– They bridge performance and lifestyle in a way that feels modern and aspirational.

For Victoria’s Secret, partnering with athletes like Reese—and potentially Cunningham—aligns with a broader redefinition of beauty, confidence, and diversity of expression. For athletes, it’s an avenue to build brands that live beyond stats and standings.

“If She Can Do It, So Can We”

Cunningham’s parting line is both a rallying cry and a prediction. Expect more players—across the WNBA and NCAA—to pursue fashion and beauty partnerships with intention. Not as side gigs, but as extensions of identity and influence.

And fans are here for it. The social buzz around Reese’s debut and Cunningham’s response speaks to a culture that’s ready to see athletes on their terms: multidimensional, unapologetic, and ambitious.

What Comes Next

– For Sophie Cunningham: A serious push with agents, brand meetings, and perhaps a runway rehearsal or two. She has the charisma and competitive edge to make it work.
– For Brands: A blueprint for tapping athlete-led narratives that feel fresh, credible, and commercially potent.
– For Women’s Sports: Another proof point that the center of gravity is shifting—toward athletes who own their stories and expand their arenas.

Angel Reese lit the runway. Sophie Cunningham is lacing up her heels. The message is simple and powerful: women’s basketball isn’t just entering the fashion conversation—it’s helping lead it.