For Filipino-Irish-British model and digital creator Christina Nadin, walking the runway at the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was much more than just another booking—it was the realization of a cherished childhood dream that she once thought was entirely out of reach.
"I never really thought it was in my bingo cards," said Nadin, who is also recognized as the founder of the hair accessories brand Bahay Kubo. Her journey to the iconic runway culminated on Sunday during the star-studded Los Angeles event, where she officially made her debut as part of the brand’s playful and vibrant Pink collection.
The achievement marked a significant milestone not only for Nadin personally, but also for representation within the global fashion industry. At 31 years old, Nadin became only the second model of Filipino descent to ever walk the Victoria’s Secret runway, following in the footsteps of trailblazer Kelsey Merritt, who made history by walking for the brand in 2018.
"It’s huge," Nadin said, reflecting on the profound significance 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."
The full-circle nature of the moment runs deep into Nadin’s past. She shared a touching anecdote about her 13th birthday, when a thoughtful friend gifted her a custom keepsake box. The decorative item featured an image of Nadin’s own face digitally superimposed onto the body of a Victoria’s Secret model, complete with the brand’s signature angel wings. Nadin admitted she had completely forgotten about the childhood memento over the years, until news of her runway confirmation prompted her parents to track down the box back home.
"It actually made me cry," Nadin recalled, visibly moved by the uncanny alignment of her childhood imagination and her adult reality.
Long before she received the official green light from the brand, Nadin had already quietly set the wheels in motion. She began training rigorously with a runway coach in the Philippines, maintaining her lessons remotely over Zoom while awaiting word. Once she arrived in Los Angeles ahead of the show, her preparation intensified into a demanding daily regimen. She dedicated herself to two-hour training sessions at the renowned gym Dogpound five days a week, pushing through a grueling combination of heavy weightlifting and targeted cardio. To round out her physical conditioning, she also incorporated twice-weekly electrical muscle stimulation sessions into her routine.
"I haven’t been this fit in my life," she noted, explaining that she also adjusted her dietary intake to support her fitness goals, making a concerted effort to consume more than 100 grams of protein daily to fuel muscle growth and recovery.
Her beauty preparation was equally meticulous and comprehensive. In the days leading up to the high-profile event, Nadin underwent targeted treatments, including a professional lash lift and brow lamination. She also treated herself to two at-home CO2Lift masks to ensure her skin was camera-ready for the spotlight.
"It was like I was getting married," she laughed, comparing the exhaustive lead-up and attention to detail to wedding preparations.
On the day of the show, Nadin’s schedule began before dawn. Her alarm rang at 4:45 a.m., setting the stage for an early 6 a.m. call time at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City. Backstage, the atmosphere buzzed with high energy as the glam squad prepared the models. For the Pink segment, hairstylists crafted voluminous, effortless beachy waves enhanced with subtle hair extensions, while a team of makeup artists working under the direction of legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath delivered a fresh, luminous, and youthful look.
Nadin was particularly impressed by the sheer longevity and staying power of the makeup used for the production. She credited Charlotte Tilbury and One/Size On ’Til Dawn setting sprays for locking everything in place, alongside Anua skin care products that she used during her preparation phase to maintain a glowing base.
"I was actually still in my makeup until midnight," she marveled. "It was still perfect."
Embracing the fun, youthful energy of the Pink runway, Nadin paused for a quiet moment of prayer just before stepping out in front of the cameras and the live audience. Once the excitement of the show had wrapped up, she kept the post-show celebration low-key, heading over to a friend’s house to share some pizza and watch the broadcast footage. Seeing herself on screen brought another wave of emotion, allowing her to fully process the magnitude of the experience.
"I woke up this morning, like, was that actually real?" she said.
