Victoria’s Secret CEO Steps Down Following Controversial Anti-Trans And Plus-Size Comments

The CEO of Victoria’s Secret lingerie division stepped down following the controversial statements made towards plus-size and Trans models by chief marketing officer Ed Razek.

Last week during an interview, Razek was asked if he’d ever considered putting Trans models and plus-size models in his annual runway show. “If you’re asking if we’ve considered putting a transgender model in the show or looked at putting a plus-size model in the show, we have,” Razek told the fashion mag, when asked about how other brands are starting to become more inclusive of including trans and plus-size women in their ad campaigns.

He continued: “Shouldn’t you have transsexuals in the show? No. No, I don’t think we should. Well, why not? Because the show is a fantasy.”

Now, after two years of operating as CEO of VS’ lingerie division, #JanSinger, is walking away from her title. According to reports, the lingerie company, which is owned by L Brands, has been struggling with sales due to the younger demographic opting for retail undergarments. The company will give more details on Singer’s departure  and will announce the company’s quarterly earnings. Shares for L Brands have gone down 38 percent so far this year.

Following an immense amount of backlash, Razek issued an apology via Victoria’s Secret’s official Twitter account. 

“My remark regarding the inclusion of transgender models in Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show came across as insensitive. I apologize. To be clear, we absolutely would cast a transgender model for the show. We’ve had transgender models come to casting…And like many others, they didn’t make it…But it was never about gender. I admire and respect their journey to embrace who they really are,” the statement read.