Olympic gold medalist Sunisa “Suni” Lee has made history once again.
On Wednesday, the 22-year-old gymnast became the first Hmong woman and U.S. gymnast to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, joining WNBA star Angel Reese in a new era for the brand.
“Stepping into something like the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show felt like a dream outside of my comfort zone,” Lee told Marie Claire ahead of the event. “But that’s exactly why I said yes.” She added, “Growing up, I didn’t see many girls who looked like me in spaces like this. To now be here as an athlete, as someone who’s worked so hard to achieve her dreams, it feels powerful. I want young girls to know they don’t have to fit into just one box. You can chase Olympic gold and still own your femininity.”
Lee strutted down the runway in a sporty pink set for Victoria’s Secret PINK. The show also featured performances by K-pop superstars TWICE. Members Jihyo, Tzuyu, Nayeon, and Momo sang their hits “This Is For” and “Strategy,” the latter song was featured in Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters.
Despite the celebratory milestone, the 5-foot Lee faced criticism from online haters about her height following her appearance. In response, she took to TikTok on Saturday to post a clip lip-syncing to Ariana Grande’s “Successful,” captioned, “can u guys stop bullying me.” She later liked several supportive comments defending her right to embrace both her athletic and feminine sides.
