"I'm not young anymore, but I'm strong, alive and still sexy" - with these words, Bianca Balti became the voice of women who have survived cancer, after her rejection from Victoria's Secret
After a six-year hiatus, the fashion show Victoria's Secret has returned to the stage in Brooklyn, but its shine has been dimmed by The open letter of Italian model Bianca BaltiBianca had wanted to walk the catwalk on behalf of all women battling cancer, but her request was denied.
Her letter, published on her channel Substacks, has become a symbol of courage, determination and strength, inspiring millions of women around the world.
The return of the Victoria's Secret fashion show
This year, Victoria's Secret celebrated its return after a six-year absence, trying to refresh its image through inclusion and diversity.
The show brought the brand's legendary former "Angels" to the stage, but also plus-size models, a pregnant model, a transgender model and a professional athlete. The brand tried to send the message that every woman is welcome, regardless of body shape, skin color, age or identity.
However, this new approach to inclusion did not include women who have beaten cancer, which prompted Bianca Balti to react publicly with her late letter, reports the Telegraph.
The fight against cancer – from diagnosis to public courage
In the year 2024, Bianca Balti revealed that she suffered from stage III ovarian cancer, after a preventive mastectomy which she had performed in December 2022. Before the surgery, she had done genetic testing, who discovered that she was a carrier of the mutation BRCA1, an inherited factor that significantly increases the risk for breast and ovarian cancer.
“I was very scared. I didn't know what removing my breast tissue would mean for my appearance or my career. But I knew I had to do it. My aunt had died very early from metastatic breast cancer, and I wanted to live. Above all, I wanted to set an example for my daughters, who might one day face the same choice.”
After a few months, after feeling severe abdominal pain, turned to doctors, who confirmed advanced ovarian cancer. She immediately submitted. emergency surgery and then chemotherapy, with the aim of eliminating remaining cancerous cells.
Throughout her treatment period, Bianca openly shared her journey with the public – posting photos from the hospital, videos from chemotherapy and very emotional moments of her battle.
One of the most powerful moments was when she cut her hair and appeared at the Sanremo Festival, without a wig, proudly showing the marks and scars of her fight for life.
Bianca Balti and her open letter to Victoria's Secret
Bianca decided to take another bold step, she contacted Victoria's Secret with the desire to walk the runway as a sign of support for all women battling cancer.
In her essay on Substack, she published the letter in its entirety: “Last week I did something brave. I reached out to Victoria's Secret and offered to walk in this year's show. I don't know exactly where the courage came from, but I did it. The only things we regret in life are the chances we didn't take. So I asked myself, 'What do I have to lose?' and I took the plunge.”
“Dear Victoria’s Secret,
Over the past few years, I have followed the beautiful transformation of your brand, a true testament to your commitment to diversity and inclusion. I have seen women of all sizes, ethnicities, genders, and ages appear in your campaigns and runway shows. When I saw the announcement that the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was returning this year, I felt something strong: I belong there, too.
Inclusion means making the public feel included. And the truth is – one in three women will face cancer in their lifetime. One in eight will face breast cancer. Thousands will face ovarian cancer. I am one of them. Since my diagnosis last year, I have become a voice for hundreds of women. I am written to every day by women in treatment, survivors, mothers, even children battling cancer, telling me that seeing me share my experience, appearing on television without a wig and acknowledging my scars, gives them hope.”
Proud of my wounds
“I know from personal experience how much we need someone to look up to when we feel broken. I learned this a long time ago, when I was free from addiction 12 years ago – we heal when we see evidence that progress is possible. On October 14th, I celebrate one year since my first chemotherapy session. On October 15th, your show returns during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Life doesn’t create moments like this by accident.
I'm not the youngest, I don't have the most beautiful forms, maybe I'm not in the best shape. But I'm strong, brave and alive and still incredibly sexy. I wear my scars with pride and show off my new hair with love. My participation in that catwalk would not only be the fulfillment of a personal dream; it would send a message to millions of women: "Life goes on despite the difficulties. You are no less a woman. You are complete. You are sexy. You are invincible. I am living proof of that."
Representation matters
“I was walking back from Fashion Week when I saw an Instagram post announcing the return of the Victoria's Secret show. The photo stopped me in my tracks: a row of gorgeous women, all so different from each other. I had walked that exact same runway 20 years ago, in 2005, when I emerged from a big festive box alongside Gisele Bündchen, Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio and the rest of the original Angels. Back then, the standards of beauty were: too white, too thin and too young. Today, the industry has changed, and so has Victoria's Secret.
As I write this, I’m watching Precious Lee, the queen herself, announce that she will walk in this year’s show. She gets emotional as she talks about how important it is for her, as a woman of color, to be visible. “Representation is not optional,” she says. “It’s about my ancestors and everyone who looks like me.” Those words hit me hard. Representation is not optional for me either, and it’s not just about me.”
Why did you want to be part of the parade?
"I had to be part of this year's show too. Not (just) because I'm beautiful, but because I represent millions of women who have, have had, or will have cancer. I want to show them that a diagnosis is not the end of beauty, confidence, or sensitivity. That scars don't erase who we are. That life after cancer can be courageous and full.
Over the course of my 21-year career, I’ve been part of an industry that has often limited the concept of beauty. White, thin, young – the muse who fit that version. But the true meaning of representation wasn’t understood until I was diagnosed. When I lost my hair and gained scars, I refused to disappear. I was still Bianca. Still valuable.
When I saw that image: six women, three skin colors, one transgender, three plus-size, three over forty, I realized something very simple and powerful – I need to be there too. As someone who supports, protects and lifts others. No cancer survivor is just trying to survive. We are trying to thrive. Because thriving means joy, self-confidence, the courage to look at yourself in the mirror and see not just the scars, but the strength.”
Victoria's Secret's response and Bianca's message
"Victoria's Secret responded to me politely: 'Thank you very much, but this year it's not possible.' And that's okay. The casting was already over. I took this step because, since I got sick, I feel a responsibility to bring hope not only to women with cancer, but to all those who are learning to live again after difficulties. I tried. It didn't happen. But I don't regret it.
Cancer has taught me that life is too short not to try and that trying never hurts. Victoria's Secret, please don't worry – I didn't take it personally. Before my diagnosis, I didn't even know how many women were going through the same thing. It's never too late. The number of cases is increasing every year, and the women who buy your products are the same women who are diagnosed with cancer. We are your audience. We are your customers. We are your sisters, mothers and daughters. And we would be incredibly proud to represent ourselves as brave, beautiful and vibrant women." /Telegraph/
