Cara Delevingne’s Tough 2012 Victoria’s Secret Moment

In 2012, the 20‑year‑old British model Cara Delevingne walked the Victoria’s Secret runway for the first time, instantly becoming a household name.

• Runway lineup: Angels Adriana Lima and Miranda Kerr, with Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and Bruno Mars performing.
• Iconic moment: Cara’s stride during Bieber’s “Beauty and a Beat” went viral, especially on Tumblr.

The photo seemed flawless—yet Cara later confessed the experience was anything but.

• Harsh environment: She felt unsafe and uncomfortable, walking while “not fully sober” and using alcohol and medication to cope.
• Identity struggle: In a podcast interview, she admitted still discovering herself—short hair, dislike of conventional feminine attire, and feeling out of place.
• Closeted in 2012: She wondered if any other lesbian had walked for Victoria’s Secret.

When asked how she felt, Cara said she didn’t feel like a true Angel; the brand clashed with her values.

• Return attempts: She came back in 2013 and was invited again in 2016 but declined.

Her story underscores the pressures, contradictions, and personal toll that many young models face when stepping onto big stages.