Russell James

A different cut from the VS archive - this one's about the music.

Everyone remembers the Angels. The performers were a story of their own, though, and I had a front-row seat to it for the better part of fifteen years.

Bruno Mars before he walked out in 2012. Seal in 2007, in a suit that was its own light source. The Weeknd backstage in 2015. Bieber, still a teenager. The Black Eyed Peas in full uniform. Rihanna in a rare still moment. Lady Gaga in Paris, 2016, doing what only Gaga does.

These were people about to step into one of the most-watched performances of the year, often with three minutes' notice that it was time. The runway was the runway. The music made it the show.

More from the archive: https://www.russelljames.com