Who Is Natalia Bryant? The USC Film Grad Who Made Her Victoria's Secret Debut on the Same Runway as Her Favorite Angel

Natalia Bryant spent weeks watching old Victoria's Secret shows on repeat. On Sunday, the 23-year-old stepped onto that runway herself for the very first time, and her favorite Angel of all time was in the lineup too. But her fashion story started years before that, and it comes with a film degree. Here's everything to know.

Natalia Bryant is 👏 that 👏 girl!👏 She walks the runway at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. pic.twitter.com/C0ezrPGtF5

— E! News (@enews) October 19, 2026

The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show? Iconic. 💕 Adriana Lima, Alex Consani, Paloma Elsesser, Natalia Bryant, and Irina Shayk look back on some of their favorite looks. pic.twitter.com/hIMQWXODv9

— E! News (@enews) October 18, 2026

Her Victoria's Secret debut

Natalia walked the 2026 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on October 18 in a look from the brand's Pink line, Harper's Bazaar reports. Bazaar describes a hot-pink shrug, jeans covered in multicolor gemstones, a mirrorball handbag, a bow headband and a studded belt strung with mini Pink stuffed-animal dogs. So cute.

Her mom, Vanessa Bryant, was in the audience, according to Harper's Bazaar.

For the rest of the night's highlights, from Adriana Lima's 21st walk to Barbara Palvin's comeback, see our Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2026 recap.

"Seriously so over the moon"

Backstage before the show, Natalia was glowing. "It feels amazing — I'm seriously so over the moon. I can't wait," she told Page Six. "I used to watch the show every year — since I was a little girl."

She did her homework, too. "I had the shows on repeat, really trying to get into that mindset. And it's crazy, because now I'm in the room with some of the OGs. Angels are among us!" she told Page Six. Her favorite? "Candice [Swanepoel] has always been my favorite. I haven't met her yet — fingers crossed." Here's the sweet twist: Swanepoel walked the very same show, according to WWD's runway gallery.

Her pre-show routine was refreshingly chill: a little yoga, some stretching and a pump-up playlist with Dua Lipa, Beyoncé and Tate McRae, Page Six reports. Her advice for other first-timers: "Just go out there and have so much fun. Be you!"

An IMG model since 2021

Natalia has been signed to IMG Models since February 2021, CBS Los Angeles reports. Her first-ever runway was Versace's spring 2024 show at Milan Fashion Week, according to Vogue, which Page Six notes took place in 2023.

"I am beyond excited about making my runway debut. It's such an incredible opportunity and I'm so grateful to Donatella [Versace]…" she told Vogue at the time. Later, she admitted to Town & Country that she was "completely terrified" stepping out, but the rush hit right after: "I remember after I walked I turned to someone and said, 'Oh my god, let's do that again!'"

She has since walked for Boss and Off-White and appeared in campaigns for Adidas and David Yurman, Harper's Bazaar reports. She's no stranger to Victoria's Secret either: she starred in campaigns for its Pink brand before this show, Page Six reports.

A USC film school graduate

Modelling is only half the story. Natalia graduated cum laude from USC's School of Cinematic Arts in May 2025, CBS Los Angeles reports. She honored her late father, Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, with his emblem stitched onto her graduation sash, and the Los Angeles Times reports her diploma was presented by Jeanie Buss.

Storytelling has been her dream since she was little. "I've always loved world-building," she told Town & Country, which reported that modelling has never been her primary focus.

A film grad, an IMG model and now a Victoria's Secret runway star? Natalia Bryant is just getting started, and we can't wait to see what she creates next.