Zuri Tibby: From Mall Discovery to Victoria’s Secret Stardom

Discover how Zuri Tibby transformed from a shy teenager to a groundbreaking Victoria's Secret PINK spokesperson

By Medha deb

Created on Oct 2, 2025

Discover how Zuri Tibby transformed from a shy teenager to a groundbreaking Victoria's Secret PINK spokesperson

The Unexpected Discovery That Changed Everything

Zuri Tibby’s story reads like a modern-day fairytale, but it’s one grounded in hard work, determination, and a bit of serendipity. At just 15 years old, the Florida native was working at a children’s playground in her local mall, completely unaware that her life was about to take a dramatic turn. After finishing her shift, she decided to do some casual shopping when she noticed something unusual – people were following her from store to store.

“I was at the mall, and I had just gotten out of work. I was working at a kids’ playground at the time, and I was 15 years old. I was casually just walking around shopping, and I noticed these people followed me from store to store, which made me a little anxious,” Tibby recalls. The followers turned out to be modeling scouts who approached her with a business card, asking if she had ever considered modeling.

Being naturally shy, Tibby’s initial reaction was hesitant. “They came up to me and gave me their card explaining who they were and asked if I had ever thought about modeling. I was very shy at the time and I was like, ‘No, I don’t really want to.’ But I took the card and I talked to my mom about it, and things kind of just happened from there.”

The Journey from Shy Teenager to Professional Model

What happened next was nothing short of remarkable. Just four months after that pivotal mall encounter, Zuri Tibby was a signed model. Her first professional job came with Teen Vogue, an impressive debut for any aspiring model, let alone a 16-year-old from Florida.

However, the transition wasn’t without its challenges. Despite her rapid success, Tibby remained grounded, valuing her family’s support throughout her journey. “I was super nervous. I remember my mom came with me because I didn’t want to fly by myself,” she says of her first professional modeling job.

The reality of modeling also came with some surprises. “I thought it was going to be glamorous photoshoots, my hair blowing in the wind, but it was not like that at all. I had so much downtime, a lot of castings in the beginning, which can be boring sometimes. I was 16 and did not have the attention span for that at the time,” Tibby admits, revealing the less glamorous side of the industry that many aspiring models don’t anticipate.

Breaking Barriers as Victoria’s Secret PINK’s First Black Spokesperson

Tibby’s career reached new heights when she became the face of Victoria’s Secret PINK, making history as the first Black model to serve as a spokesperson for the brand. This achievement was particularly meaningful for Tibby, who had been a longtime fan of Victoria’s Secret before joining the company.

“Working for the brand has always been one of my biggest dreams, so becoming a part of the family has truly been a blessing. I believe, I am the first woman of color to have this title,” Tibby shared during an interview while on the PINK Nation tour in Dallas.

Her journey with Victoria’s Secret began gradually. “I went to a casting and then did a photoshoot with them and slowly started working them more and more and then I became a spokesmodel,” she explains. She was officially signed in June 2016, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her career.

Walking the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show

One of the most significant milestones in Tibby’s career came when she walked in the iconic Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, not once, but twice. The experience was particularly special for someone who had grown up idolizing the Angels who had walked that same runway.

“I was just really excited, I couldn’t believe it was me because I grew up watching Tyra Banks, and Naomi Campbell, and Candice Swanepoel, and girls like that. And Elsa Hosk, one of my idols, was a PINK girl too,” Tibby reflected on being cast in the show.

Her second appearance in the show was even more meaningful. “This was my second year, last year was my first year, the second show was more special because I got to close the PINK segment and I had wings so I was really excited about that,” she shared, highlighting the progression in her role within the Victoria’s Secret family.

Beauty Routine and Professional Essentials

As a professional model and spokesperson for one of the world’s most recognizable beauty and fashion brands, Tibby has developed a comprehensive beauty routine that keeps her camera-ready. Her morning routine is both practical and self-care focused, consisting of “waking up, working out, putting on a face mask, making coffee and then usually working.”

When it comes to beauty essentials, Tibby has identified several key products that are crucial to her daily routine:

Farsali oil for maintaining healthy skin
Sephora eye pads for under-eye care
Lush lip scrub for smooth, camera-ready lips
Kiehl’s 24-hour lip moisture for long-lasting hydration

Career Highlights and Notable Collaborations

Beyond her work with Victoria’s Secret, Tibby has built an impressive portfolio that showcases her versatility as a model. She has worked with prestigious fashion houses and appeared in top-tier publications, establishing herself as a force in the fashion industry.

High-Fashion Collaborations

Tibby’s modeling career extends far beyond commercial work. She has modeled for several high-fashion brands, including:

Creatures of the Wind
Vivienne Westwood
Thom Browne

Editorial Features

Her face has graced the pages of some of the most prestigious fashion publications globally:

Vogue Italia
Vogue Japan
ELLE UK
Teen Vogue

Additionally, she appeared in Rihanna’s Stance campaign, further cementing her status as a sought-after model in both commercial and artistic projects.

The PINK Nation Experience

As the face of Victoria’s Secret PINK, Tibby has had the unique opportunity to connect with college students across the nation through the PINK Nation tour. This initiative takes her to various college campuses, where she represents the brand and engages with young women who represent PINK’s target demographic.

The tour has taken her to numerous universities, including stops in Dallas for major college football games and West Virginia University for their annual PINK Nation University event. These appearances allow Tibby to share her story and inspire other young women while promoting the PINK brand’s message of empowerment and confidence.

Life as a Professional Model

Now 21 years old, Tibby’s life as a professional model involves frequent travel and high-profile opportunities. Her social media handle @angelzuri reflects her connection to the Victoria’s Secret Angel brand, and she has embraced the lifestyle that comes with being a recognizable face in fashion.

The Florida native has successfully navigated the transition from small-town teenager to international model, maintaining her authenticity while adapting to the demands of the fashion industry. Her story serves as inspiration for young women everywhere, particularly those from underrepresented communities who may not see themselves reflected in traditional fashion media.

Impact on Diversity and Representation

Tibby’s role as the first Black spokesperson for Victoria’s Secret PINK represents a significant step forward in fashion industry diversity. Her success has opened doors and created visibility for models of color in a space that has historically lacked representation.

While Tibby acknowledges that “the industry does a great job of including all shapes, sizes and colors,” her groundbreaking role demonstrates the ongoing efforts to create more inclusive representation in fashion and beauty.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How was Zuri Tibby discovered?

A: Zuri Tibby was discovered at age 15 at a mall in Florida after finishing work at a children’s playground. Modeling scouts approached her while she was shopping, leading to her modeling career.

Q: What makes Zuri Tibby’s role with Victoria’s Secret PINK significant?

A: Tibby is the first Black model to serve as a spokesperson for Victoria’s Secret PINK, making her role historically significant for representation in the fashion industry.

Q: How many times has Zuri Tibby walked in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show?

A: Tibby has walked in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show twice, with her second appearance being particularly special as she closed the PINK segment and wore wings.

Q: What was Zuri Tibby’s first modeling job?

A: Her first professional modeling job was with Teen Vogue when she was 16 years old, just four months after being discovered at the mall.

Q: What are Zuri Tibby’s essential beauty products?

A: Her beauty essentials include Farsali oil for skin, Sephora eye pads, Lush lip scrub, and Kiehl’s 24-hour lip moisture, which help maintain her professional appearance.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

Read full bio of medha deb