Victoria's Secret Model Gigi Hadid in 'Denial' of Adriana Lima's Last Show

Adriana Lima made her last bow at the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, but not all can accept this as the model's final hoorah. Fellow Victoria's Secret Angel Gigi Hadid said she was in "denial" of Lima's final runway appearance.

Lima, 37, appeared on Victoria's Secret runway for the last time during Sunday's pre-taped event. The Brazilian model's nearly 20-year long career as a Victoria's Secret Angel began in 1999. As a Victoria's Secret Angel, Lima has been tasked with wearing the highly coveted Fantasy Bra three times. The last time she was assigned the role was in 2014 when she was paired to do so alongside Alessandra Ambrosio.

As Lima's run with Victoria's Secret has come to a close, Hadid honored her former colleague in a touching tribute posted to Instagram on Sunday. The 23-year-old's picture showed her holding fellow model Candice Swanepoel close as they watched Lima hit the runway for the last time.

"I believe we're watching @adrianalima's last VS walk (in celebration of the most epic Angel but also sadness and denial cause we all love her so much!!)," Hadid wrote. "I'm holding on to @angelcandices oh so tight because working alongside women I grew up watching has meant so much to me."

Gigi Hadid on Adriana Lima
Adriana Lima (L-R), Josephine Skriver and Gigi Hadid are pictured attending the Maybelline x New York Fashion Week XIX Party at Mr. Purple at the Hotel Indigo LES on September 8, 2018, in New York... Ben Gabbe/Getty Images for Maybelline New York

Hadid also took a moment to address her admiration for Swanepoel, writing: "Candice has known she was my fave growing up since the first time we met when I was just a new face in NYC. What I don't think I've told her is how lucky I have always felt when I met someone I looked up to for so long she was everything I'd hoped she'd be."

Lima, for her part, responded to Hadid's love-filled message by explaining Hadid's influence in today's modeling business. Hadid then praised Lima for having a "powerful heart and spirit" in addition to providing her "endless inspiration."

"Thank you my sweet. You are no different," Lima wrote to Hadid. "Continue walking with your sincere kind heart, the world and our business need this gentleness. I will be cheering for you wherever you are. Much love."

Lima went out with a bang. Upon hitting the runway, she was greeted with a standing ovation. She teared up during her final walk.

Lima took to Instagram on Sunday to share a video post of her hugging several VS models. She also addressed her final moment as a Victoria's Secret Angel, which she referred to the this as "one of the most memorable/emotional" experience of her life.

"So much love from the angels/the Victoria's Secret team," Lima wrote. "I am grateful [to] have been part of this family for 20 years of my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the love and I hope I can give all this love back to each and every one of you. To my fans, I am grateful for all your support and standing by me no matter what! Love you all.... from my heart."

Gigi Hadid on Adriana Lima's Last VS Show
Adriana Lima is pictured walking the runway during the 2018 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at Pier 94 on November 8, 2018, in New York City. This was Lima's last ever appearance in a Victoria's Secret... Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria's Secret

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

About the writer


Dory Jackson is a New York-based entertainment journalist from Maryland. She graduated from Randolph-Macon College—in May 2016—with a focus in Communication ... Read more

To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.

Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek magazine delivered to your door
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go
Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go