Overview
- Balti wrote on Substack that she emailed an open letter the week of Oct. 6 after finding company contacts on LinkedIn, asking to participate in the Oct. 15 show in Brooklyn.
- She says the company replied kindly that the runway was already fully cast, and she presented her bid as a message of hope and visibility for women facing cancer.
- The Italian model began treatment for ovarian cancer in October 2024 and previously underwent a preventative mastectomy in 2022 after learning she carries the BRCA1 mutation.
- The revived Victoria’s Secret show on Oct. 15 at Steiner Studios featured a diverse lineup that included Angel Reese, Jasmine Tookes, Suni Lee, Ashley Graham and Gigi Hadid.
- Outlets reporting on Balti’s essay said the brand had not commented, and fans expressed support for her on social media.