On Tuesday, October 15, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show of 2024 returned with Hot Pink Revenge. Few believed the lingerie brand could pull off this feat less than a decade after a series of controversies that nearly destroyed its credibility with women forever. For more on this decision, read this timely new book about the brand's complex history.

Five years later, after a global rebranding, Victoria's Secret has emerged from its identity crisis with a self-awareness and generosity of spirit it never had before. The casting for this year's show, which featured curve models like Paloma Elsesser and Ashley Graham alongside veterans like Gigi and Bella Hadid, Tyra Banks, Barbara Palvin, Candice Swanepole, Adriana Lima, and Jasmine Tookes, was and remarkably inclusive. Outdated customs such as multi-million dollar “fantasy bras” and explicitly referring to the models as “angels” seem to have been completely abandoned. And instead of booking a pair of high-profile acts to perform alongside the models, the show decided to introduce three legendary female performers: Grammy Award winner Tyra, “pop goddess” Cher, and K-pop star Lisa.

Below is a look at the star-studded spectacle.

The pink carpet was overflowing with it-girls from all corners of pop culture; K-pop legend Lisa showed up in a dazzling bra and hot pants, clad in a see-through cape covered in silver star appliqués. South African singer Tyra turned up the heat in a hot pink cutout gown that showed off most of her torso. Buckle bunny Tanner Adel showed up in a slinky silver chainmail dress. And Olympic gymnast Suni Lee was in a floral floor-length dress. Many of the red carpet's best looks naturally leaned toward the naked dress trend. What could be more appropriate for an event that is more or less a celebration of nudity?

Even Cher, at the glorious age of 78, embraced nudity, layering a black lace bra under a sparkling mesh shirt.

When Gigi Hadid opened the show in a huge set of pastel pink angel wings, matching pink playsuit, and silver wraparound heels, the earth seemed to shake. Chapel Lawn's “Femininomenon” played in the background, but all I could hear were ecstatic screams.

It is increasingly rare for Hadid to appear on the runway outside of a couple of major shows each season. But it wasn't just for her: Hadid's appearance on the runway was in tribute to her close friend Taylor Swift. Standing up from the center of the catwalk, she bounced her hips and waved her hands in the same pattern that the “Cruel Summer” singer does to open each performance on her Eras tour.

Hadid's sister, Bella, also made a rare return to the runway in a bright red bra and panty set adorned with the biggest, fluffiest bolero you've ever seen.

The usual supermodels walked the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in 2024, including Tyra Banks, Barbara Parvin, Candice Swanpole, Adriana Lima, and Jasmine Tookes. But newcomers like trans models Alex Consani and Valentina Sampaio and curve models Paloma Elsesser and Ashley Graham were incredibly welcome in the OG model lineup. 90s model turned former French first lady Carla Bruni also walked the Victoria's Secret runway for the first time at age 56, as did 50-year-old fashion legend Kate Moss and her daughter Laila Moss.

It has been an uphill battle for Victoria's Secret to broaden its casting approach from narrow physical ideals to a broader, more inclusive vision of beauty, but with this year's revamped show, the company clearly made an effort to address that contention. Let us hope that its commitment to age and body diversity will not be a passing phase.

The star-studded front row included Queen Latifah, WNBA basketball star Angel Reese, rapper Tyga, Bridgeton actor Phoebe Daimber, model Ivy Getty, and actor Dylan Sprouse.

Sprouse, who is married to Victoria's Secret model Barbara Palvin, brought cardboard cutouts of the dog and cat they both own, and cheered for Palvin from the stands.

Wearing a chrome bolero and matching chain micro skirt, black-pink Lisa appeared on the back of a motorcycle and performed a fiercely choreographed rendition of her solo hit “Rockstar.” Dressed in a gold bustier with angelic white wings and beads, Grammy winner Tyra next took the stage to perform two hit songs: “Push 2 Start ‘and’ Water.”

But the highlight of the evening had to be Cher in goth cargo pants and a latex-stretched corset top in a powerful two-song set featuring “Strong Enough” and “Believe.” Few women are as iconic as Cher. Victoria's Secret has made her a great choice.

The Victoria's Secret fashion show of 2024 was not exactly groundbreaking. Supermodels in skimpy costumes appeared, and as usual, the hottest pop stars performed. And while the models themselves were no longer referred to as “angels,” cartoonishly large angel wings continued to accessorize almost every look. But it is heartening, even gratifying, to see Victoria's Secret trying so hard to win our hearts. Progress is still progress.