š« āIāve Always Dreamed of Being a Victoriaās Secret Angelā ā Sophie Cunningham Inspired by Angel Reeseās Stunning Runway Debut āØš¼
When Angel Reese stepped onto the Victoriaās Secret runway, it wasnāt just a crossover moment for a rising basketball starāit was a spark. Minutes later, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham made her intentions unmistakably clear: she wants in.

āOh my God, I texted my agents right away and said please, pleaaase⦠This has been a dream of mine since second grade. Iāve always wanted to be a Victoriaās Secret Angel,ā Cunningham said, reacting to Reeseās debut with a blend of excitement and resolve. And then the closer: āIf she can do it, so can we.ā
Cunninghamās reaction captured a bigger shift unfolding in womenās 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 Reeseās runway appearance wasnāt 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 powerāsignaling that womenās 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 āright awayā is a small detail, but it represents a decisive pivotāone that mirrors how todayās stars seize momentum in real time.
Why This Matters
– Visibility multiplies value. Every runway appearance, brand collaboration, or campaign extends the reach of womenās basketballābringing new fans to the sport and new energy to the broader womenās 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. Reeseās debut sends a signal to brands: athletes arenāt just fit models; theyāre cultural leaders. Cunninghamās immediate interest shows the domino effect in action.
Sophie Cunninghamās Moment

Known for her toughness, swagger, and on-court relentlessness, Cunningham isnāt shy about big stages. The runway, in many ways, is another arenaāone where presence, personality, and performance matter just as much as in the final two minutes of a tight game.
Her quoteāāThis has been a dream of mine since second gradeāāadds depth. This isnāt a bandwagon play. Itās a long-held aspiration resurfacing at the right time, backed by real momentum in the womenās game and a fashion industry increasingly attuned to authenticity and athleticism.
Fashion Meets Firepower
Thereās 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 Victoriaās Secret, partnering with athletes like Reeseāand potentially Cunninghamāaligns with a broader redefinition of beauty, confidence, and diversity of expression. For athletes, itās an avenue to build brands that live beyond stats and standings.
āIf She Can Do It, So Can Weā
Cunninghamās parting line is both a rallying cry and a prediction. Expect more playersāacross the WNBA and NCAAāto 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 Reeseās debut and Cunninghamās response speaks to a culture thatās 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 Womenās Sports: Another proof point that the center of gravity is shiftingātoward 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: womenās basketball isnāt just entering the fashion conversationāitās helping lead it.