The line between professional sports and celebrity culture has never been thinner, but WNBA star Angel Reese didn’t just cross it—she detonated it. When the Chicago Sky forward made history as the first professional athlete to walk the runway in a Victoria’s Secret fashion show, it was intended as a celebratory moment: a loud, proud declaration of the new athletic female ideal.

Yet, in the chaotic modern landscape of instant fame and relentless critique, the celebration was immediately hijacked by controversy. A single, unfiltered blast from within the fashion establishment turned Reese’s historic walk into a vicious cultural battleground, pitting the traditions of the runway against the disruptive power of athletic celebrity. The attack was swift, visceral, and stunningly personal, sparking a furious eruption from WNBA fans that has now forced the entire industry to confront uncomfortable questions about jealousy, entitlement, and the true cost of “inclusivity.”

The Super Bowl of Snub: A Model’s Bitter Complaint

The firestorm was ignited by a professional model, identified on the highly influential social media platform TikTok as @doublepeachedup. In a video that quickly went viral, the model unleashed a torrent of criticism not just on Reese, but on the entire philosophy of brand partnerships that leverage celebrity to the detriment of industry professionals.

The model’s thesis was rooted in a sense of professional purism and a dramatic exaggeration of the show’s importance, calling the Victoria’s Secret event the “Super Bowl of fashion.” She argued that such a coveted stage should be reserved exclusively for those who have dedicated their lives to the craft: professional models.

Her anger was explicitly directed at Reese and Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee, whose presence she deemed an offense against the integrity of her industry. In a quote that immediately became the center of the cultural firestorm, she declared:

“Why are we letting Angel Reese and Suni Lee walk the Victoria’s Secret runway? I am so sick and tired of the inclusivity bullshit. Let modeling be its own thing. … It’s just not fair.”

The phrase “inclusivity bullshit” was a profound shot across the bow. It reframes the brand’s strategic shift—from the famously narrow and exclusive “Angels” standard to a more diverse, empowering lineup—not as progress, but as a deceitful gimmick. The model essentially accused Victoria’s Secret of engaging in “celebrity tokenism,” leveraging high-profile names for buzz at the expense of established, working models.

The attack wasn’t just on Reese’s right to be there; it was a perceived attack on her body, her profession, and her disruptive presence in a space long dominated by a singular, unattainable aesthetic. It was a vicious defense of the old order against the new.

The Fan Fury: Conspiracy Theories and the WNBA’s Secret Agenda

The response from WNBA fans and the broader basketball community was immediate, overwhelming, and highly defensive. Fans saw the model’s critique not as a plea for professional integrity, but as an act of jealousy directed at a powerful young Black woman who dared to occupy a space traditionally closed off to her body type and background.

On X (formerly Twitter), the reaction quickly moved from indignation to full-blown conspiracy theories. Many fans accused the model of “hating,” arguing that she was simply envious of Reese’s massive star power, which had eclipsed her own professional standing.

One fan brilliantly weaponized the model’s own logic against her, writing: “If Bella Hadid had a mean 3 ball and if she could play defense, Becky Hammond woulda been on that Nobody’s stopping models from getting in the gym sis.”

Another added: “Just hating. By her logic a model shouldn’t become a professional actor, singer, chef, lawyer etc.” This counter-argument positioned Reese as a multi-talented icon whose influence cannot be neatly contained within the boundaries of a basketball court, challenging the model’s narrow definition of professional achievement.

But the most sensational and viral reaction was one that suggested the attack was not organic envy, but a coordinated, funded hit job designed to smear Reese’s name. This user wrote a quote that is now being circulated as a full-fledged conspiracy theory:

“I am sure the WNBA gave her a lot of money to bash Angel Reese.”

While there is zero evidence to support this claim, the very existence of such a theory speaks volumes about the intense, polarized environment surrounding Reese. Fans have become fiercely protective of her brand, believing she is often unfairly targeted by institutional forces—in this case, either the old guard of the fashion world or rival interests within the sports establishment. They view the entire controversy through the lens of a relentless media campaign to undermine a superstar whose ambition simply cannot be contained.

Smash Burger to VS Model: Reese’s Quiet Triumph

Lost amidst the fury and the conspiracy theories was the quiet, undeniable triumph of Angel Reese herself. Despite the viciousness of the model’s attack, Reese took a moment to reflect on her journey, sharing a raw, honest tweet that perfectly encapsulated her meteoric rise and provided a powerful contrast to the model’s elitism.

Reese reminded the world exactly where she came from, writing:

“I really used to work at Smash Burger and now I’m a VS model AHAHHA.”

This tweet reframes the entire controversy. For the professional model, the runway is a place of exclusive, sacred craft. For Angel Reese, it is the ultimate symbol of how far sheer willpower and undeniable talent can take an individual in the face of long odds. The “Smash Burger” reference is not just a memoir; it’s a direct, humble rebuke to the model’s claim of “unfairness,” suggesting that Reese earned this moment through a hustle that spanned from the fast-food counter to the championship court.

Her reflection underscores the fundamental difference between the two parties: one views the runway as an entitlement earned through specialized training, and the other views it as an achievement earned through cultural disruption and a life story that inspires millions.

The Final Score: Sports Power vs. Fashion Gatekeepers

The controversy surrounding Angel Reese’s Victoria’s Secret debut is far more than a simple spat; it is a critical new cultural flashpoint where the traditional gatekeepers of fashion are fighting a desperate, losing battle against the new power brokers of celebrity athletics.

The WNBA star’s cultural currency—her ability to command attention, draw viewers, and embody a powerful, unvarnished form of femininity—now far outweighs the traditional demands of runway modeling. Victoria’s Secret, in its bid for modern relevance, is betting its entire brand on the type of disruptive power that Reese represents. They need her star power to survive; the professional model’s outrage is merely collateral damage in a high-stakes corporate pivot.

Reese’s statistics on the court—averaging 14.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game in the 2025 season—prove her athletic dominance, even if the Chicago Sky finished the season tied for the worst record (10-34). But the Victoria’s Secret controversy proves her commercial dominance transcends her team’s win-loss column.

The incident confirms Angel Reese’s ultimate status as a genuine cultural iconoclast. She thrives on the controversy she creates, using the indignation of the old guard as fuel for her brand. Her historic walk was not just about clothes; it was a loud declaration that the powerful, athletic body has earned its rightful place at the pinnacle of global style, whether the traditional gatekeepers of the “Super Bowl of fashion” like it or not.