ESSENCE News: Inside The 2018 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show

“To be from Brooklyn and to look like this, it blows my mind- anything is possible,” says Iesha Hodges on being selected as a VS model.

Avon Dorsey Dec, 02, 2018

With anticipation building for the television premiere of the annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show, ESSENCE has a first-look at what you can expect before you tune-in.

VS beauties Jasmine Tookes, Iesha Hodges and Cheyenne Maya Carty took a quick pause to chat with ESSENCE just before they hit the stage for the big show.

A California native, Tookes is a seasoned VS Angel and has modeled around the world for a range of major brands including Burberry, Moschino, Balmain, Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton. She’s also one of three Black models to have worn the million-dollar Victoria’s Secret Fantasy Bra. Speaking on her years of modeling as a VS Angel, Tookes had inspiring words to offer.

“Growing up I looked up to Tyra Banks, and if she can do it, I can do it,” she told ESSENCE. “This is good for young girls to see.”

Jasmine Tookes models in the 2018 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

Hodges hails from Brooklyn, New York and although she’s modeled for global brands like Oscar de la Renta, Christian Cowan and Miu Miu and has been one of the few Black models to appear in a Miu Miu advertising campaign,she admits to being a bit of a tomboy growing up with no interest in fashion.

“To be from Brooklyn and to look like this, it blows my mind. It doesn’t feel real. Anything is possible… it’s the right time,” she said of her first VS experience.

Iesha Hodges makes her debut in the 2018 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria's Secret)

British-born Carty literally skated her way to success, having been discovered four years ago while roller skating with family and friends in London’s Victoria Park. Reflecting on making her debut for VS, Carty describes the experience as something of a dream.

“Being hand-picked for the show has been completely overwhelming,” she said. “It’s been like a dream come true.”

Cheyenne Maya Carty celebrates her debut on the 2018 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show runway. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)

Tonight, the world will see Carty and Hodges make their Victoria’s Secret fashion show debut, while Tookes will take the lead as the runway veteran. Watch all of our exclusive ‘My Fashion Story’ videos to find out more about Tookes, Hodges and Carty, and their journeys through the fashion world.

Stay tuned on ESSENCE.com for more exclusive Victoria’s Secret fashion show coverage, including a recap of the big show airing today at 10:00 PM (ET), on ABC.