New York, Oct 16, (V7N) - The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is set to make its long-awaited return after a six-year hiatus. The retailer announced the revival of its annual runway event in a May Instagram video, stating, "We've read the comments and heard you," in response to widespread calls for its comeback.

Originally canceled in 2019 by L Brands, the former parent company, the show was put on hold due to declining ratings and mounting criticism regarding body positivity. Since its launch in 1995, the show has featured performances by major artists, including Rihanna, Ariana Grande, and Taylor Swift, alongside iconic models such as Heidi Klum and Kendall Jenner.

This week, the brand confirmed that Victoria's Secret icon Adriana Lima will reprise her role in the show. Gigi Hadid and Tyra Banks are also set to walk the runway, with Banks making her first appearance in 20 years.

The event will be broadcast live on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video and the brand’s official YouTube channel. Last year, Victoria's Secret introduced a reimagined event titled "The Tour '23," which streamed on Prime Video.

This year's show will feature a lineup of legendary supermodels, including Lima, Banks, Barbara Palvin, Jasmine Tookes, Ashley Graham, Candice Swanepoel, and Behati Prinsloo. Performances will include female artists such as Blackpink’s Lisa, Tyla, and music legend Cher.

In 2018, Lima made an emotional exit from the show after her 19th appearance, expressing gratitude for the brand's influence on her career. “Dear Victoria, Thank you for showing me the world, sharing your secrets, and most importantly not just giving me wings but teaching me to fly,” she wrote in an Instagram post.

The company has since updated its brand values, emphasizing a commitment to "celebrating all women" and ensuring customers feel proud to shop at Victoria's Secret. “We have moved from promoting an exclusionary view of what's sexy to celebrating all women throughout every phase of their lives,” the statement read.

The decision to cancel the show in 2019 followed several controversies, including declining viewership numbers and comments from former chief marketing officer Ed Razek regarding the inclusion of transgender and plus-size models. The 2018 show recorded its smallest audience ever, with just 3.27 million viewers.

As the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show prepares to return to the runway, anticipation grows for its new direction and commitment to inclusivity in the fashion industry.

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