5 min readDon’t think of Angel Reese in singular terms—she’s a multi-hyphenate. The WNBA player/Victoria’s Secret model/podcaster is building a platform not to be contained, and that was part of the plan all along.
“Basketball is gonna stop one day,” Reese tells ELLE, as her mom and grandma told her growing up. “It’s important to have your own narrative and be able to take control of that.”
It might stop one day, but today is not that day. The 23-year-old will enter her third WNBA season with the Chicago Sky come May 8, but in the offseason, Reese has stayed busy. Enter: her new Victoria’s Secret campaign.
Shot in Barbados, a.k.a. Bombshell Island, Reese is the face of the brand’s new swim and beauty campaign, introducing the season of strapless, its latest swim style. ELLE caught up with Reese during her shoot and talked all things Angel, from walking the runway to confidence on the court, and of course, being unapologetically yourself.
Talk to me about the campaign you’re shooting. What’s the vibe?
My Victoria’s Secret family had me start with the fashion show in October, which was amazing. So I’m continuing my partnership with them for some unforgettable experiences so it’s really good to be back and continue my journey in the modeling industry.
The theme is bronze, and I’m all for the bronze and the sun, and being here in Barbados, the vibe is literally perfect. The bronze bombshell vibe is what we’re going for, so I’m really, really excited for this. When it comes out, we’re gonna break the internet again.
What was it like to walk the Victoria’s Secret Runway this past fall? Was that something you ever imagined yourself doing?
I make a vision board every year and I actually put one of the pictures of Tyra [Banks] from the [Victoria’s Secret] Fashion Show on it. I went to the 2024 show and I was like, “I’m going to do this.” I didn’t even know Tyra was gonna be in the 2024 one, and I had a picture of her on my vision board, so when I did it in 2025, it was just like a dream come true. I always manifest everything. So I knew when I was sitting in the seat and watching in 2024, I was like, “I’m gonna do it next year.” And it happened. [It] wasn’t easy, but [it was] definitely a blessing.
What have been the biggest differences between modeling and the NBA? Did you feel any similarities between walking the Victoria’s Secret runway and walking the tunnel before a game?
It’s the confidence, being able to look good and feel good, and then you go out there and kill it. I think practice makes perfect. You practice on the basketball court to get ready for games. I was practicing walking in heels for two months with a walking coach. When you walk in the tunnel, you’re already ready for the game because you’ve practiced so much. And when I practiced for so long in my heels, and then in the outfits that I wore, I was ready. I was so nervous when I walked out the first time, but the second time, it was a piece of cake.
Let’s talk about your podcast, Unapologetically Angel. I’d imagine as someone who’s usually the one being interviewed, having your own podcast can put you on the other side of that experience. Why was it important to you to have a separate platform that’s all your own?
It’s important to have your own narrative and be able to take control of that. I wanted to have my own name and be able to break my own news on my podcast. We don’t always know what’s fake in the media, but when it comes straight from me, it’s a reliable source.
It’s also important for guests to be able to come on and talk about their upcoming things, be unapologetic, speak their truth, and just have fun. We have a good time and you can be comfortable here. I’m not here to trap you. I’m not here for you to go viral. Like, we’re gonna have a good time and authentically probably go viral, but there’s nothing here for anyone to be scared of. I know how it feels to be on the other side, to feel like the media is against you. So being able to have a comfortable and open space for guests to come on, but also for myself to have my own platform was important for me.
Do you have any dream guests you’d love to have on in the future?
So far, my guests have been amazing. Just continuing to have as many unapologetic people on there. Since I’m in Barbados, Rihanna would be a dream guest. But I do have some good guests coming up, so I’m excited to continue to build these relationships. I think it’s really important to be that culture barrier and understand how culture and sports collaborate with each other.
You’re in a generation of athletes that is unique in that you have so many avenues outside of your chosen sport or related endorsements—fashion, social media, etc. Was that always part of your planned trajectory? How have you used your different projects and platforms to build your own brand and champion your own message?
My mom and my grandma always told me basketball is gonna stop one day, so continuing to build my platform was always important. Since I was younger, I’ve always been into fashion. Feel good, look good, play good. That’s always been the mindset for me. Building my own brand, being myself, being super versatile on and off the court, within my clothes or even within my style of play, was really important.
Going back to the campaign you’re shooting now, literally or conceptually, what is your idea of paradise?
Just happiness. We live in a world with a lot of chaos and being able to come and be in Barbados and be in this moment, I would never take it for granted. So whenever I have the opportunity to just be in the moment, I try to enjoy it, and be gracious and grateful for everything. That’s all we can ask for.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.