Victoria’s Secret named Solange Omon its newest Angel after the 21-year-old won the model-search competition documented in its YouTube series Angels Among Us.
Originally from Cameroon, Omon lives in Maine, where she had been balancing college with work as a nonprofit program coordinator.
Her debut came at the October 18 fashion show at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California.
More than 100,000 people began the casting application process, and approximately 900 were invited to audition, Victoria’s Secret executive Elizabeth Preis told Forbes. The company held regional castings in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and Miami.
Gold Wings and a Runway to Herself
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Omon’s gold wings framed lace-trimmed lingerie and a long, sheer organza train, a look highlighted by Vogue Adria.
She walked alone during Autumn Changes in an Envy Low-Cut Push-Up Bra and layered underwear, Just Jared reported.
Victoria’s Secret lists the bra at $59.95 on its U.S. website. The two high-leg underwear styles, a thong and a cheeky cut, each retail for $18.95.
The brand’s Instagram announcement welcomed Omon to the runway and praised her willingness to take risks. Her fellow finalists, Andreína Martínez and Tatyana Tinsley, also appeared in the fashion show.
Her Work in Maine Included Helping Teenagers Apply for Jobs
Omon is the oldest of six siblings and had already modeled in multicultural fashion shows in Maine, according to USA TODAY Network reporting.
She told PEOPLE she helped Black and immigrant teenagers with job applications, networking and climate education. In an earlier role, she connected 16- to 24-year-olds with mentors, school support and community resources.
A Mall Audition Led to Runway Training and New Friendships
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Victoria’s Secret held the regional auditions in shopping malls, inviting the public to watch. Its casting schedule listed Chicago’s Woodfield Mall for June 3 and 4, with sessions running from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Omon advanced from the Chicago casting to the top 10, who traveled to New York for runway coaching, photo shoots and fittings.
Martínez had been second runner-up at Miss Universe 2022, representing the Dominican Republic. Tinsley had commercial and editorial experience and had walked in Sherri Hill’s spring 2027 show at New York Fashion Week, according to Cosmopolitan.
“I was expecting my name, but not expecting my name,” Omon told PEOPLE before the fashion show. Winning brought happiness alongside sadness for the finalists who had become her friends.
In an Instagram post shared ahead of the broadcast, Omon described “serving motion, angles & a little attitude” for Victoria’s Secret. She credited B. Ramble, makeup artist @gorgeouslygritty and hairstylist @hairweavemother for the collaboration.
An IMG Contract and a Documentary Finale Still to Come
The prize includes an exclusive one-year contract with IMG Models.
According to the brand’s official announcement, IMG scouts participated from the project’s inception through casting and selection. Gigi Hadid, Ashley Graham, Alex Consani and Paloma Elsesser joined the search alongside the agency’s scouts and the Victoria’s Secret team.
Boardwalk Pictures produced the documentary series, with Nadia Hallgren directing. Her credits include Becoming and Pop Star Academy: Katseye.
The episodes also examined contestants’ experiences with body image and family difficulties. Preis told Forbes the longer format gave participants room for stories that would not fit into brief social-media clips.
Angels Among Us premiered September 27, with episodes initially scheduled for Sundays and Thursdays. Forbes reported that the competition had generated approximately 17.8 million YouTube views by the time the winner was announced.
Victoria’s Secret’s fashion-show page now links to episodes one through six and lists the documentary finale for November 22.