How Victoria’s Secret’s Angels Among Us Worked. Step By Step

Victoria’s Secret turned its search for a new Angel into a behind-the-scenes YouTube series, following aspiring models from a nationwide casting call to the runway. The competition, Angels Among Us, began with more than 100,000 applicants, moved through auditions in the four U.S. cities and narrowed the field to ten finalists before further evaluation in New York. Solange Omon was announced as the winner during the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on October 18, 2026.

So, how did Angels Among Us work? The process combined an open casting search, in-person auditions, runway and photo preparation, and eliminations documented in a YouTube docuseries. Here is how the competition progressed, what the finalists experienced and what the winner received.

What Was Victoria’s Secret’s Angels Among Us?

Angels Among Us was a Victoria’s Secret docuseries following the search for the brand’s newest Angel. Produced with Boardwalk Pictures and directed by Nadia Hallgren, the series gave viewers a look at aspiring models pursuing the opportunity to walk in the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and receive an exclusive contract with IMG Models.

The series and the competition were connected, but they were not the same thing. The casting process selected candidates: the docuseries showed parts of their journey; and the Fashion Show provided the stage for the winner’s announcement.

Step 1: Victoria's Secret Opened a Nationwide Casting Call

The process began on April 1, 2026, when Victoria's Secret announced an open casting call inviting aspiring models to apply. The opportunity included walking in the Fashion Show and receiving an exclusive IMG Models contract. Applications later closed as the search moved forward.

More than 100,000 aspiring Angels answered the call, according to the company's August announcement. However, applying did not guarantee an in-person audition, a place among the finalists or a runway appearance. Applicants still had to progress through the brand's selection process.

Step 2: Applicants Auditioned in Four U.S. Cities

The next stage involved in-person castings in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and Miami. Victoria’s Secret worked with IMG Models scouts, while established models including Alex Consani, Ashley Graham, Gigi Hadid and Paloma Elsesser participated in the broader casting initiative.

According to Forbes, approximately 900 applicants were invited to audition across the four cities. That was a substantial reduction from the original applicant pool.

The series showed candidates introducing themselves and taking part in casting activities. Chicago featured prominently in Solange Omon’s journey, but it was only one stop in the nationwide search.

A casting gives a brand and its representatives an opportunity to meet candidates and assess their suitability for a particular modeling opportunity. Victoria’s Secret has not published a complete scoring formula, so it would be inaccurate to claim that a specific trait or single audition task determined who advanced.

Step 3: Judges Selected the Top 10 Contestants

Following the auditions and selection process, ten finalists advanced to the next stage. These contestants became the central group followed through the New York portion of Angels Among Us.

IMG Models scouts and Victoria’s Secret representatives participated in the search, with established models and brand creative leadership appearing throughout the series. Their presence gave viewers context for the professional environment the aspiring models were entering.

The top 10 designations marked progression to the next stage, not a guarantee that all ten would walk in the Fashion Show. The contestants still faced further preparation, evaluation, and eliminations.

Step 4: The Top 10 Traveled to New York

The ten finalists traveled to New York for a more intensive phase of Angels Among Us, combining runway coaching, campaign work, styling, and further evaluation.

In Episode 3, creative movement director Stephen Galloway coached the contestants on their walks. The finalists also participated in a campaign and faced the competition’s first elimination. These activities gave viewers a more specific look at the professional preparation involved in moving from an open casting to a major fashion show.

The episode descriptions do not establish a formal scoring system or explain how much weight each activity carried in the selection process. The New York stage is best understood as a combination of modeling experience, coaching, and continued evaluation.

Step 5: Hair, Makeup and Styling Became Part of the Competition

Episode 4 showed hairstylist Guldo Palau and makeup artist Pat McGrath preparing contestants for a photo shoot. Their involvement gave viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the beauty work accompanying a fashion campaign, while the episode also documented further eliminations.

The following episode introduced another creative challenge. In Episode 5, fashion stylist Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele created individual looks for the remaining contestants, who then presented the styling on camera. Another elimination brought the competition closer to its final three.

Together, these episodes showed that Angels Among Us involved more than runway practice. Contestants experienced campaign work, professional hair and navigating the uncertainty of elimination. However, the published episode descriptions do not establish that any single shoot, look, or beauty transformation determined who advanced.

Step 6: The Top Three Received Guidance from IMG Models

The competition narrowed to three finalists: Solange Omon, Andreina Martinez and Tatyana Tinsley. In Episode 6, the finalists received guidance from IMG Models professionals on their photographs, posing, walks and other aspects of modeling.

The final training stage offered a closer look at the skills and professional expectations involved in a modeling career. Rather than simply preparing for a runway appearance, the contestants received feedback relevant to presenting themselves in photographs and working with industry professionals.

The episode also followed the final decision process. Although the series documented the finalist’s preparation and the judges’ deliberations, Victoria’s Secret has not published a complete scoring formula assigning specific points or weights to individual activities. It would therefore be inaccurate to claim that one photograph, walk or coaching session determined the winner.

Step 7: Solange Omon Won During the Fashion Show 

On October 18, 2026, Solange Omon was announced as Victoria's Secret's newest Angel during the Fashion Show in Los Angeles. For more about her background and journey to the competition, read Who Is Solange Omon? Victoria’s Secret Newest Angel. You can also explore our full recap of the  Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2026: Who Walked, Returned and Best Moments for more on the runway highlights, returning models and standout moments The win came with an exclusive modeling contract with IMG Models and the opportunity to walk the brand's runway.

Omon, who was born in Cameroon and had been living, studying, and working in Maine, entered the casting alongside thousands of other hopefuls. Before the competition, she worked with nonprofit organizations supporting black and immigrant teenagers.

How Many People Applied, and How Many Reached the Top 10?

The competition narrowed a large applicant pool to a small group of finalists. Victoria's Secret reported more than 100,000 applicants, while Forbes reported that approximately nine hundred were invited to audition across four U.S. cities. Ten contestants advanced to New York, and the competition later narrowed to three finalists.

How Did Angels Among Us Become a YouTube Fashion Story?

Victoria’s Secret released Angels Among Us on its official YouTube channel, allowing viewers to follow the contestants through multiple stages rather than learn only the winner’s identity. The series covered the journey from casting and auditions to preparation and the final runway announcement. 

Forbes reported approximately 17.8 million YouTube views around October 18, 2026. Treat this as a dated estimate since view counts change and totals can vary depending on which episodes and related videos are included. The figure reflects reported viewing activity, not proof of commercial success.

Are Angels Among Us Finished, and Where Can You Watch It?

As of October 21, 2026, the winner has been announced, but the docuseries is not yet complete. Victoria’s Secret lists episodes 1-6 as available and advertises the finale for November 22, 2026. If you want to catch up on the runway event itself, read our guide on How to Watch Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2026 for Free for viewing details.