Natalia Bryant reached a major milestone in her modeling career by making her official runway debut at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Los Angeles on Sunday, October 18, 2026. The 23-year-old model, daughter of the late basketball icon Kobe Bryant and Vanessa Bryant, stepped onto the famous stage after years of watching the event from home.
Speaking to reporters backstage before the show, Bryant shared her excitement. “It feels amazing! I can’t wait,” Bryant said. “I used to watch the show every year – since I was a little girl.”
Preparation and Backstage Routine
To prepare for the high-profile event, Bryant studied past catwalk shows nonstop to get into the proper mindset for walking alongside industry veterans.
Unlike the intense physical regimens sometimes associated with high-fashion runways, Bryant opted for a balanced routine on the morning of the show. “I did a little bit of yoga this morning, did some stretching, played some pump-up music,” she explained. Her backstage playlist featured a mix of artists, including Beyoncé, Dua Lipa, and Tate McRae, who performed during the event.
While keeping the specifics of her runway outfit under wraps before the show, Bryant offered a playful hint to interviewers, noting with a wink that her look was “very pink.”
A Growing Modeling and Academic Resume
Bryant’s Victoria’s Secret appearance adds another prominent credit to a modeling trajectory that began shortly after she turned 18. She officially signed with IMG Models in February 2021. Following her signing, she made her formal runway debut at Versace’s spring/summer 2024 show during Milan Fashion Week in September 2023.
In addition to her growing presence in fashion-which includes appearances at New York Fashion Week and Chloé’s spring/summer 2027 presentation in Paris-Bryant maintains a strong focus on film and education. In May 2025, she graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, honoring her late father by incorporating his Black Mamba logo onto her graduation stole.
Star-Studded 2026 Lineup
Bryant joined an elite roster of modeling veterans for the 2026 Los Angeles fashion event. She shared the runway with established names such as Gigi Hadid, Candice Swanepoel, Adriana Lima, and Alessandra Ambrosio. Musical acts for the evening featured performances by Tate McRae, Megan Thee Stallion, Megan Moroney, and Katseye.
Offering words of encouragement to fellow newcomers stepping onto the iconic stage for the first time, Bryant kept her advice simple: “Just go out there and have so much fun. Be you!”
