Transgender models Alex Consani and Valentina Sampaio make history at Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show returned for the first time in six years on Tuesday, with Alex Consani and Valentina Sampaio making history as the first transgender models to walk the VS runway.

“I'm so excited. It’s my first Victoria’s Secret show ever,” Consani said backstage Paper magazine. “I can't believe it. I can’t believe I’m here.”

Consani wore a blue lingerie set with Victoria Secret's signature angel wings, while Sampaio wore black lingerie with fishnet tights and a black bow on the back.

Sampaio told People before her debut: “I will treasure this moment for the rest of my life. Today, the Victoria’s Secret family showed the world that being transgender is just as special and beautiful as anyone else on this runway.”

The show was recorded live in New York City and featured many familiar faces such as Tyra Banks, Gigi and Bella Hadid and Adriana Lima. The show also had its first all-female cast: Cher, Tyla and Blackpink's Lisa all graced the stage.

The broader show marks a major departure for the lingerie brand.

Show organizer Ed Razek said fashion in 2018 that he believed “transsexuals” shouldn’t be seen on the Victoria’s Secret runway. “The show is a fantasy. It’s a 42-minute entertainment special.”

He later apologized after facing backlash, but the Victoria Secret brand continued to suffer. When Jeffrey Epstein was arrested on sex trafficking charges in July 2019, it was revealed that Epstein used his connection to Victoria's Secret CEO Les Wexner to pose as a female trafficking recruiter.

Faced with falling ratings, declining sales and criticism on all sides, the show was canceled in 2019. She returned in a reprise for “The Tour '23,” a combination runway show and documentary that aired on Prime Video.

Consani previously starred in The Tour '23 and Sampaio began modeling for Victoria's Secret sister brand Pink in 2019.