Liu Wen’s angel legacy lives on
She became the first Chinese model to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, a breakthrough for Chinese representation at a major international event.
Jing Boran’s rumored girlfriend, Liu Wen, has reached another milestone in her modeling career, returning to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show for her 10th runway appearance.
The Chinese supermodel walked the runway on 18 October, at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California, joining the lineup of models for the annual spectacle.
For the occasion, Liu wore a sparkling lace bra and corset paired with a floral draped skirt. Gilded wings designed to resemble a caged skirt completed the look, giving the ensemble a soft, vintage-inspired finish.
Following the show, Liu took to Instagram to thank Victoria’s Secret for welcoming her back to the runway. “Thank you @victoriassecret for another incredible year and a fun-filled show in sunny Los Angeles!” she wrote. “What a wonderful way to spend my 10th time on this runway alongside so many amazing Angels, cycling through both seasons and wings.”
MODEL Liu Wen
Who is Liu Wen?
Liu Wen was born on 27 January 1988 in Yongzhou, Hunan province, China. She entered the New Silk Road World Model Contest in 2005, reportedly hoping to win a computer for school. She did not win, but the competition opened a path into the industry and brought her to Beijing to pursue professional modeling.
She made her international runway debut in 2008 and soon became a sought-after face at fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan, and Paris.
In 2009, she became the first Chinese model to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, a breakthrough for Chinese representation at a major international event where Asian models had historically received limited visibility.
Her career quickly grew beyond Victoria’s Secret. She has worked with fashion houses including Chanel, Dior, and Burberry, and reportedly appeared in 70 shows during the Spring/Summer 2010 season. In 2010, she became Estée Lauder’s first Asian global spokesperson. In 2017, she became the first Chinese model to appear on the cover of American Vogue.
Liu has also written about her experiences. In a 2014 Vogue China article, she discussed her early years and the pressure of navigating beauty standards shaped by Western ideals, highlighting the difficulties Asian models may face when pursuing careers abroad.
Secret appearance
Liu first walked the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway in 2009, returning for three consecutive years in 2010, 2011 and 2012. She later joined the shows in 2016, 2017 and 2018 before making her comeback in 2024. Her appearances in 2025 and 2026 bring her total to 10, marking another milestone in her long-running association with the brand.
The Jing Boran rumors
Although neither Jing Boran nor Liu Wen has publicly confirmed their relationship, speculation about the pair has persisted over the years. They first met at a promotional event in 2019 and later worked together on a Chanel jewelry campaign.
Dating rumors surfaced in May 2022 after internet users spotted them riding together at night. The speculation intensified that July when, according to 8 Days, they were seen holding hands while shopping and going on a double date with singer Li Ronghao and his wife, Rainie Yang.
In September 2025, the pair was photographed walking back to their hotel hand in hand, their fingers interlocked. Three months later, Vogue named them its Best-Dressed Couple of the Year, further fueling public interest in their rumored romance.
Fan backlash
Liu Wen’s milestone arrived amid online noise. Netizens criticized her for “ruining” their fictional ship after she liked a promotional post for Jing’s drama The Early Spring, in which he stars opposite Sun Qian. Fans of the on-screen pairing downplayed her identity as “Jing Boran’s girlfriend.”
The 2026 show at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City continued the brand’s signature fusion of high-fashion runway and entertainment. Liu Wen’s return highlights her enduring relationship with the production as it has evolved over the years.
While this marks her 10th appearance, a remarkable personal milestone, it is best appreciated as a testament to her longevity rather than a record-breaking tally. Her journey remains deeply significant, harking back to her historic 2009 debut as the first Chinese model to walk the show, a major milestone for representation in the industry.