Bella Hadid reveals the real reason she was ‘struggling’ at Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show after fan concern
Sophia Melissa Caraballo Piñeiro
Bella Hadid set the record straight on why she was “struggling” closing out the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
After causing online buzz with how slow she walked at the end of Wednesday’s show, the model took to her Instagram Stories to let fans in on the weight of the wings strapped to her back.
“Ok we’re not going to pretend these wings weren’t 50 pounds but HOW BEAUTIFUL,” the 29-year-old wrote in a now-deleted post, per The Hollywood Reporter.
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Hadid initially hit the VSFS catwalk in a red-hot lingerie set, strutting confidently down the runway as Karol G sang to the crowd.
She kept a different pace closing out the show in silver, fringed lingerie complete with matching wings.
Hadid, who switched her usual brunette tresses for blond, made it to the end of the stage before she began to struggle.
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She walked more slowly, looked down at the ground and even held on to the straps of her wings to balance the weight better.
Despite never showing any distress on her face, she was seen dropping her head once the lights went out.
Fans shared their concern via social media, calling out Hadid’s recent Lyme disease flare-up.
“She was struggling,” a TikTok user commented, while another added, “I thought she was gonna fall.”
“She might [have] almost died or she’s in survival mode,” one netizen speculated.
However, one person defended her, saying, “I think the wings were just heavy,” while another noted how the closing Angel’s wings are “always insane.”
Hadid’s return to the runway came one month after her mom, Yolanda Hadid, posted photos from a hospital stay.
In some of the September shots, Bella was hooked up to an IV in a hospital bed; in others, the accomplished equestrian covered her mouth in distress.
Yolanda, 61, praised her daughter — who was diagnosed in 2013 — as a “badass” and a “survivor.”
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What do you think? Post a comment.
She wrote, “No child is suppose to suffer in their body with an incurable chronic disease. I admire your bravery and your willingness to keep fighting for health despite the failing protocols and countless setbacks you have faced.
“I am so proud of the fighter that you are,” the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” alum continued at the time. “You are not alone, I promise to have your back every step of the way, no matter how long this takes.”
A week after the photos were shared on social media, Hadid was photographed walking through Paris.
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- catchpammie1 day agoShe was not strong enough to carry the wings, she was just hospitalized less than a month ago, her body has not had time to fully recover. She pushed herself and it shows, you have to listen to your body, she should have sat this one out and took time to properly recover. Reply31Share
- Cold7423 hours agoShe probably weighs about 120lbs. She says the wings were 50lbs (almost 1/2 her weight). Add in the size (almost as tall as she is), with the width and awkward shape/weight distribution of the wings (heavy on top, lighter on the bottom)… well, it’s not surprising she would have difficulties pulli…See moreReply8Share1 reply
- Lisa Simpson20 hours agoPeople with serious chronic illnesses don’t have endless plastic surgery procedures which are invasive and disruptive to the body. She is all chemicals and depleted tissue.Reply19Share
- ohCanada1 day agoNot sure if this was her first appearance in a Victoria’s Secret show – but if it wasn’t, she should know what is expected of her. I doubt the organizers were pleased with that look on her face. It comes off as entitlement…..and if she is going to complain then perhaps she shouldn’t be doing th…See more
