Body (approx. 600 words, breaking-news tone, viral-ready, sharp and dramatic):
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has never been one to stay quiet — on the court or off it. And this week, she made headlines again, not for a game-winning shot or a viral sideline moment, but for a surprising plea that instantly caught the internet’s attention.
During the latest episode of her podcast “Show Me Something”, Cunningham revealed she has her eyes on something far beyond the hardwood — the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. The 29-year-old guard said watching Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese strut down the runway in New York lit a fire she’s had since childhood.
“Angel walked in it and she killed it, absolutely killed it,” Cunningham said. “I texted my agents right away. This has been a dream of mine since second grade. I’ve always wanted to be a Victoria’s Secret Angel. I don’t really have the boobs.”
The line — delivered with trademark Sophie confidence and humor — spread fast across social media, instantly turning into a viral soundbite. But underneath the playful tone, Cunningham’s words reflect something deeper: the crossover between sport, style, and stardom that today’s WNBA generation is redefining in real time.
For many fans, the moment Reese took the Victoria’s Secret runway marked a cultural shift. The 22-year-old Chicago Sky star became the first professional athlete ever to walk in the brand’s iconic show, wearing a pink floral lingerie set and the signature angel wings that once symbolized global supermodel status.
“It was destined for me,” Reese said before the event, according to The Associated Press. “I’m so happy to be in this room with so many amazing women. This was already for me.”
Cunningham, recovering from an MCL tear that ended her 2025 season prematurely, admitted that she’s been keeping up with more than just box scores while rehabbing. Her admiration for Reese’s confidence — and for legendary models like Candice Swanepoel, whom she called “the most stunning one” — seemed to ignite a spark.
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“They’re all stunning,” she added. “It’d be so fun to walk in that fashion show. Angel really did kill it. She looked beautiful.”
For Cunningham, the crossover between athletics and aesthetics isn’t a gimmick — it’s personal branding with purpose. With 1.3 million Instagram followers and 1.6 million on TikTok, she’s one of the WNBA’s most recognizable personalities, blending toughness and charisma with unapologetic femininity.
And while her season with the Indiana Fever ended on a frustrating note — she averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.0 steal in 30 games before going down with injury — her fanbase only grew. Many credit her chemistry with rookie sensation Caitlin Clark and her fiery leadership as key factors in the Fever’s resurgence this year.
Off the court, though, Cunningham is proving she’s more than just a three-point threat or locker-room voice. Her playful call-out to Victoria’s Secret feels like a continuation of what the new generation of female athletes is doing best — breaking boundaries, mixing sports with lifestyle, and refusing to fit into one box.
As one fan commented under her viral podcast clip:
“Sophie’s not just shooting her shot — she’s building her empire.”
Whether Victoria’s Secret answers that call remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Sophie Cunningham knows exactly how to keep the spotlight — and the conversation — on her.
And just like that, the offseason suddenly feels a lot more interesting.
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