Cancer-Stricken Ex-Victoria’s Secret Model Shocks Fans with Unexpected Show Rejection — The Untold Story Inside
So, here’s a head-scratcher for you: what’s more exclusive than the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show? Apparently, it’s getting a second stroll on that famous runway—even if you’re Bianca Balti, a fierce cancer survivor who graced the stage back in 2005. Just as the world tuned in for this year’s spectacle, Bianca revealed she reached out with hopes of marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a powerful message—only to be met with a chilly, “It doesn’t work this year.” Talk about a plot twist no one saw coming! Isn’t it ironic how a show striving for “inclusion” can still sideline someone whose story could redefine strength on that very stage? Dive in as we unpack this surprising snub and what it means for the ever-evolving world of fashion and resilience. LEARN MORE
Three days intoVictoria’s Secret’s annual fashion show, cancer survivor Bianca Balti, who walked its 2005 ramp, has revealed that she offered to do the same in 2025 but was turned down.
Balti hoped that since the show coincided with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the brand – which has been seen as trying to “mend past and present wrongs” – would extend the breadth of its inclusivity.
- Bianca Balti revealed she asked Victoria’s Secret to walk the 2025 show but was declined.
- The model pitched her appearance as a breast cancer awareness moment but received “It doesn’t work this year” as a reply
- Balti is a stage 3C ovarian cancer survivor who previously underwent a preventive mastectomy.
But alas, they responded to her idea with a simple “It doesn’t work this year.”
In her letter sent on the anniversary of her first chemotherapy session, she lauded ‘Victoria’s Secret’ for their “inclusion”
Image credits: Robino Salvatore/Getty
“Last week, I did something bold,” Balti began her deeply personal essay.
“I searched LinkedIn for email addresses and sent this open letter to anyone I could find at the company,” and told them, “I should be there too.”
She opened the communique with platitudes, one of which was directed at the company’s take on diversity.
“I’ve watched your brand’s beautiful transformation — a true commitment to diversity and inclusion.”
Bianca Balti claims the women and children with cancer write to her daily
Image credits: biancabalti
“Inclusivity means making your audience feel seen,” her letter continued. “And here’s the truth — 1 in 3 women will face cancer in their lifetime. 1 in 8 will face breast cancer. Thousands will face ovarian cancer.”
“I am one of them.”
Balti went on to say that since her diagnosis last year, she had become an advocate for the cause, claiming that “women in treatment, survivors, mothers, even children” wrote to her daily.
In these communications, she claimed they say how much her television appearance gives them hope.
The Italian model penned the letter to ‘Victoria’s Secret’ on the one-year anniversary of her first chemo session
Image credits: Peter Kramer/Getty
@llrunwayssll#biancabalti for #victoriassecret♬ Dano sarrada remix – Merlin
On February 14, 2025, Vogue headlined: “Bianca Balti Reminds Us of the Power of Authenticity.”
The fashion outlet was referring to Balti’s appearance at the Italian singing competition, Sanremo 2025, with her head completely bald.
She awed her fellow countrymen and women in gowns by Valentino, Giorgio Armani Privé, and Fendi.
The hairless appearance was due to her first chemotherapy session that, according to her latest revelation, started a year ago to the date she penned the Victoria’s Secret letter (October 14).
Victoria’s Secret responded by saying, “It doesn’t work this year”
Image credits: biancabalti
“I’m not the youngest, curviest, or fittest. But I am strong, brave, and alive — and I’m still [attractive]. I wear my scars proudly and rock my newly grown hair with pride,” she said of herself.
“Having me on that runway wouldn’t just be a personal dream fulfilled; it would send a message to millions of women: ‘Life goes on in the face of adversity. You are not less of a woman. You are whole. You are [attractive]. You are unstoppable.’”
“I’m living proof of that,” she concluded her letter.
Image credits: biancabalti
Balti did not elaborate on the full content of Victoria’s Secret’s response, but the fashion house said: “Thank you so much, but it doesn’t work this year.”
“And that’s okay,” Balti wrote. “The show was already cast.”
Balti was diagnosed with ovarian cancer a little over a year ago
Image credits: biancabalti
Balti was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer on September 8, 2024. She disclosed the news in an Instagram post that read:
“Last Sunday, I checked myself into the ER to find out that my lower abdominal pain was stage 3C ovarian cancer.”
“It’s been a week full of fear, pain and tears but mostly love, hope, laughter and strength.”
“I have a long journey ahead, but I know I will beat this,” she said next to an image of herself in a hospital bed.
Two years prior, she had parts of her breasts cut away to preempt the onset of cancer
But doctors realized that she was prone to the illness in 2022 already, when they discovered the BRCA1 gene, which more often than not leads to cancer in women.
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