- Solange Omon, a 21-year-old African model, beat thousands of contestants to reach the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show
- The entire casting journey was documented in a YouTube docuseries called Angels Among Us
- Omon described the winning moment as a mix of joy and sadness, moved by the friendships she had built with fellow finalists
Solange Omon, a 21-year-old African model, made her Victoria's Secret Fashion Show debut on October 18 after winning the brand's nationwide casting call that drew thousands of hopefuls across the United States.
Source: Instagram
Omon, who lives, works, and studies in Maine, was first spotted during the Chicago leg of the search, where her personality set her apart from the crowd and secured her a place in the top ten.
Journey to Victoria's Secret Runway
The full journey was captured in a YouTube docuseries titled *Angels Among Us*, which began streaming in September and brought viewers inside the casting and training process.
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When she received the call confirming her progression to the next phase, Omon's reaction was immediate.
"I was speechless," she told People. "I started screaming, and as soon as I was done with that call, because I live alone, I was like, 'I'm driving to my mom because I need to share this news with someone.'
Omon, originally from Cameroon, says the moment she received the call turned it into the happiest day of her life.
Mix of Feelings at the Winning Moment
After making the top 10, she travelled to New York alongside the other contestants for runway training, photo shoots and fittings.
As the group was whittled down through successive eliminations, Omon says the process felt increasingly stressful, though her confidence grew the closer she got to the finish line.
The final three contestants were Omon, Andreína Martínez and Tatyana Tinsley. Hearing her name announced as the winner left Omon in a complicated emotional state.
"I was expecting my name, but not expecting my name," she said. "I'm thinking about the past couple of months and everything that happened. And I'm also having my friend next to me because we're all standing together.
She added that while she was happy, she was also so sad, but she couldn't explain the feeling because they became friends.
Victoria's Secret & Co. CEO Hillary Super welcomed Omon with warm words, adding that Omon has a spark that's entirely her own, and that's exactly what makes her an exciting addition to the project.
"Her joy, confidence and individuality embody what the next generation of Angels stand for; women who are unapologetically themselves, who dream big and who inspire others to do the same," Super said.
Adam Selman, EVP and Chief Creative Officer at Victoria's Secret & Co., explained that the casting call itself grew out of direct demand from the public, with thousands of fans sending messages after last year's show asking how they could become Angels.
That feedback, he said, shaped everything about the initiative.
Source: TUKO.co.ke