Andreína Martínez, a Dominican model and former Miss Dominican Republic, is vying to become the next Victoria’s Secret Angel after securing a place among the final ten contestants in the fashion brand’s new modeling competition, Angels Among Us.
Martínez, who was the second runner-up at Miss Universe 2022, is one of only two Latinas in the top ten. The competition began with an international casting call that attracted over 100,000 applicants. As of October 8, nine contestants remain, including Martínez and Puerto Rican model Kassandra Marie Crespo.
The stakes are high for the winner, who will not only walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2026 but also receive an exclusive modeling contract with IMG Models, a leading agency in the industry. For Martínez, this opportunity could represent a significant transition from her successful beauty pageant career to the global fashion industry.
Martínez initially shared her aspirations to join Victoria’s Secret in May 2026, expressing enthusiasm for participating in the casting process. She attended auditions in Chicago in June, where she competed against numerous other aspiring models.
During the second episode of Angels Among Us, she garnered attention from Victoria’s Secret executive vice president and chief creative officer Adam Selman, who praised her runway skills and height. He noted the unique challenge for Martínez as she attempts to transition from pageant contestant to fashion model.
Beauty pageants and runway modeling require different skill sets. Pageant contestants often project confidence and elegance, engaging audiences and judges, while fashion models must embody a designer’s vision through their walk and expressions. Martínez has already established her ability to command a stage, and the upcoming weeks will be crucial as she works to demonstrate her adaptability in a modeling context.
Born in the Dominican Republic but raised in New York, Martínez has a background in psychology and Latin American studies, finishing her academic career with honors. She rose to international prominence during the 71st Miss Universe competition in January 2023, placing third overall and becoming a notable figure for the Dominican Republic.
Victoria’s Secret’s Angels Among Us presents a new format for identifying talent, blending a reality-style casting process with viewership engagement. Directed by Nadia Hallgren, the series premiered on September 27, 2026, offering behind-the-scenes insights into the competition and the personal journeys of the contestants.
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2026 is set to take place on Sunday, October 18, 2026, in Los Angeles, California, where the winner of Angels Among Us will be announced. This competition not only marks a new chapter for Martínez but also highlights the rich legacy of Dominican representation within the Victoria’s Secret brand, following the paths of several past Dominican models on the runway.
