For Christina Nadin, walking the runway at the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Los Angeles was far more than just another booking on a busy modeling schedule; it was the ultimate realization of a childhood aspiration she had harbored for decades.
The Filipino-Irish-British model, digital creator, and founder of the hair accessories brand Bahay Kubo made her much-anticipated debut during Sunday’s star-studded event, bringing high energy and charisma to the brand’s playful Pink collection. Yet, even as she prepared for the momentous occasion, the reality of the achievement took time to truly sink in.
“I never really thought it was in my bingo cards,” Nadin admitted, reflecting on how she landed a coveted spot in the iconic fashion show. “The one thing that I did say to my management [was] that I wanted to work with Victoria’s Secret, but I didn’t expect to be doing the show.”
Beyond fulfilling a personal milestone, Nadin’s appearance marked a significant moment of cultural representation on the global fashion stage. At 31 years old, she proudly stepped into the spotlight as only the second model of Filipino descent to ever walk the Victoria’s Secret runway, following in the footsteps of Kelsey Merritt, who made history in 2018. The weight and joy of that milestone were not lost on her.
“It’s huge,” Nadin said of representing her Filipino heritage on such a massive international platform. “Being able to be a role model for someone in the Philippines is the coolest thing ever.”
That deep-rooted connection to the brand dates back much further than her professional career. Nadin recalled a particularly poignant memory from her youth: on her 13th birthday, a thoughtful friend gifted her a custom keepsake box featuring an image of Nadin’s own face digitally superimposed onto the body of a Victoria’s Secret model, complete with a signature set of angel wings. Over the years, the childhood artifact had slipped her mind entirely. However, the moment her runway confirmation came through, her parents managed to unearth the nostalgic box, presenting it to her as a full-circle blessing.
“It actually made me cry,” Nadin recalled, visibly moved by the serendipitous reminder of her childhood dreams.
Preparation for the high-profile return of the famous fashion show required dedication, discipline, and months of rigorous physical and beauty routines. Even before receiving the official confirmation from the brand, Nadin was already proactively training with a runway coach based in the Philippines, maintaining her lessons remotely via Zoom. Once she arrived in Los Angeles, her preparation intensified dramatically. She committed to a daily regimen that included grueling two-hour training sessions at the renowned gym Dogpound five days a week. Her fitness routine blended heavy weight training and high-intensity cardio with twice-weekly electrical muscle stimulation sessions designed to optimize muscle tone and recovery.
“I haven’t been this fit in my life,” she said, noting that she carefully managed her nutrition to support her rigorous physical output, aiming to consume more than 100 grams of protein daily to encourage muscle growth and strength.
On the beauty front, Nadin left nothing to chance, curating a meticulous regimen in the days leading up to the show. She opted for a professional lash lift and brow lamination to enhance her features, alongside treating her skin with two at-home CO2Lift masks to ensure a glowing, flawless complexion under the blinding lights of the runway.
“It was like I was getting married,” she laughed, comparing the meticulous pre-show planning to bridal preparations.
The big day arrived before dawn, with Nadin’s alarm ringing bright and early at 4:45 a.m. to accommodate a strict 6:00 a.m. call time at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City. The backstage atmosphere was a whirlwind of professional stylists and beauty experts working in harmony. For her appearance in the Pink segment, hairstylists crafted voluminous, effortless beachy waves enhanced with extensions. Meanwhile, makeup artists working under the legendary direction of Pat McGrath created a fresh-faced, luminous look designed to capture the youthful and vibrant spirit of the collection.
Nadin was particularly amazed by the incredible staying power of the cosmetics used for the show, which had to withstand hours of rehearsals, backstage activity, and the intense heat of the runway lights. She credited a combination of Charlotte Tilbury and One/Size On ‘Til Dawn setting sprays, along with nourishing Anua skin care products used during her initial preparation, for keeping her look intact long after the cameras stopped rolling.
“I was actually still in my makeup until midnight,” she said with a sense of lingering disbelief. “It was still perfect.”
As showtime approached, Nadin took a quiet moment to ground herself, saying a personal prayer before stepping out onto the runway to embrace the playful, electric energy of the crowd. Once the event wrapped up and the adrenaline finally began to settle, she celebrated the milestone in the most comforting way possible—heading over to a close friend’s house for a casual night of pizza and watching the recorded footage of the show. Reflecting on the monumental day as she watched herself on screen, the emotions washed over her all over again.
“I woke up this morning, like, was that actually real?” she marveled.
