When you think of the peak Victoria's Secret era, names like Gisele, Adriana, and Tyra usually hog the spotlight. But if you really know your fashion history, you know the name that changed the game in the late 2000s: Chanel Iman.
Honestly, she wasn't just another girl in wings. She was a seismic shift.
📖 Related: Russell Wilson Draft Day Girlfriend: What Really Happened to Ashton Meem
Back in 2009, when the runway felt a bit stagnant, this 19-year-old from Atlanta—half African-American, half Korean—stepped out and basically electrified the place. She had this "it" factor that was impossible to ignore. It wasn't just the walk; it was the vibe. She looked like she was actually having a blast, which, if you’ve watched those old shows, wasn't always the case.
But why do people still talk about Chanel Iman Victoria's Secret years later? Is it just nostalgia? Kinda. But it's also about a moment in time when the industry was forced to look at diversity differently, even if it took them a while to get the hint.
From Teen Vogue to the Angel Wings
Chanel didn't just stumble onto the runway. She was a prodigy. By 16, she was already on the cover of Vogue as one of the "World's Next Top Models."
When she finally linked up with Victoria's Secret, it felt like a collision of two worlds. High fashion meets commercial powerhouse. She officially became an Angel in 2010, joining a roster that was, quite frankly, lacking in variety. She wasn't just there to fill a quota, though. She was a star.
👉 See also: Who Is Carville Married To? The Truth About Politics’ Most Unlikely Couple
Her contract was a big deal. It meant she was one of the faces of the brand, appearing in the catalogs that used to show up in everyone's mailbox and starring in the big-budget holiday commercials.
The Runway Highlights
If you go back and watch the 2009, 2010, and 2011 shows, you see the evolution.
In 2010, she was part of the "Tough Love" and "Wild Things" segments. She famously walked alongside Akon during his performance of "Angel," and the chemistry was perfect. It was one of those rare TV moments where the music and the movement actually synced up.
She wore some of the most intricate wings of the era. Some of them weighed a ton, but she made them look like feathers. That’s the job, right? Make the heavy lifting look effortless.
The Reality of Being "The Only One"
Here’s the part people often gloss over. Being a Black model in that era was exhausting. Chanel has been very vocal recently about what it was really like behind the scenes.
She's talked about designers telling her to her face, "We already found one Black girl. We don't need you anymore." Can you imagine? Being at the literal top of your field and being told you're redundant because someone else who looks vaguely like you already got the job.
It’s wild to think about now, especially as we sit here in 2026 and see how much the industry has (slowly) moved toward inclusivity. Chanel was on the front lines of that battle. She was the one doing the work when the doors were barely cracked open.
Why she eventually walked away
Most people wonder why her tenure as an Angel didn't last as long as, say, Alessandra Ambrosio's.
The truth is, the industry changes. Models move on to different contracts, and Victoria's Secret itself went through a massive identity crisis. Chanel started focusing more on high-fashion editorials and eventually, her family.
She didn't just disappear, though. She pivoted.
✨ Don't miss: Shaunie Henderson Height: What Most People Get Wrong
Life After the Runway: Where is Chanel Iman Now?
Fast forward to today. It’s January 2026. Chanel is no longer just a "model." She’s an entrepreneur and a mother of three.
Just a few days ago, on January 9, 2026, she was spotted looking incredible on the red carpet at the WWD Style Awards in Santa Monica. She still has that "Angel" glow, but her focus has shifted toward her lifestyle brand, Chasa.
"I dreamed about not just being a model, but one day being able to create something for myself," she recently told Ocean Drive.
Chasa is her baby—a home decor and lifestyle brand that focuses on "elevated comfort." It’s a far cry from walking in 6-inch heels and 40-pound wings, but it seems to be exactly where she wants to be.
She's also been showing a different side of herself on TV. She recently competed on the reality show Special Forces: World's Toughest Test. Seeing a former Victoria's Secret Angel crawling through mud and doing military drills? It definitely shattered the "fragile model" stereotype.
The Chanel Iman Victoria's Secret Legacy
So, what’s the takeaway here?
Chanel Iman’s time with Victoria's Secret was a bridge. She bridged the gap between the old-school supermodel era and the new, more diverse world of fashion we see today. She proved that you could be a high-fashion darling and a commercial queen at the same time.
If you're looking to understand her impact, don't just look at the wings. Look at the doors she kicked open for the models who came after her.
Key Lessons from Chanel's Career:
- Versatility is King: She could go from a Dior runway to a PINK commercial without blinking.
- Speak Your Truth: Her willingness to talk about the "one Black girl" rule changed the conversation about diversity.
- Pivot Early: She didn't wait for the industry to age her out. She built her own brand while she still had the spotlight.
- Resilience Matters: From the grueling training for Special Forces to the challenges of starting a business like Chasa, she shows that "pretty" is only the surface.
If you're an aspiring creator or model, the best thing you can do is study her 2010 runway walk. It’s a masterclass in confidence. But more importantly, pay attention to how she’s handled her "second act." Being an Angel was a chapter, not the whole book.
To see what she's up to right now, you can check out her latest collections at Chasa or follow her recent appearances at the 2026 award shows. She's living proof that there is plenty of life after the wings come off.