Solange Omon, winner of Victoria's Secret's Angels Among Us, shares advice for aspiring models
The 21-year-old Cameroonian model, who won Victoria's Secret's 2026 open casting, says modeling demands long, early days and urges hopefuls to believe in themselves.
Cameroonian model Solange Omon, 21, has offered advice to aspiring models after winning Victoria's Secret's 2026 open-casting competition, Angels Among Us. Her message to young hopefuls is simple: believe in yourself and chase the dream, even when the work is demanding.
The prize for winning the competition included a walk in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and a contract with IMG Models, one of the best-known agencies in the industry. The search for new talent was documented in a six-episode YouTube docuseries that followed the contestants through the process, giving viewers a look at the pressure and preparation behind the final selection. Omon's win has since opened several doors, including a role fronting Victoria's Secret's 2026 holiday campaign, a visible step that placed her face at the center of the brand's seasonal marketing.
Omon has also taken on a public role beyond the runway. She was the first speaker on a panel at the 2026 Black Beauty Roster Creator Summit, a platform that gave her a chance to speak directly to others trying to build careers in fashion. She is also continuing an ongoing partnership with Amazon, and she attended a holiday event in New York City for the brand. Her working life is split between the IMG offices in New York and Los Angeles, reflecting the travel that now forms part of her routine.
Speaking about the realities of the job, Omon said that modeling shoots tend to require very long days, often starting early and running late. She described the early stages of a career as the most demanding, when models are still building a reputation and learning how the business operates. For those thinking about entering the industry, she stressed that persistence and self-belief matter as much as talent, a view she framed as the core of her own path from the competition to a professional career.
Her story also carries weight for the wider industry conversation about who gets seen on major stages. Omon came to the competition from Cameroon, and her rise through a global open casting reflects the broader push by fashion brands to find new faces beyond traditional pipelines. Her presence on the Black Beauty Roster Creator Summit panel underscores that the path she describes is one that many young Black models are seeking to navigate with clear guidance and visibility.
Omon's early months since the competition show how quickly a win can translate into obligations, from runway preparation and campaign work to public appearances. Her advice is rooted in that experience: the schedule is grueling, the rewards are real, and the decision to pursue modeling should be made with patience and a clear sense of purpose.
Source: fashionista.com
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