Indian-origin model, activist, and TED speaker, supermodel Neelam Singh, made headlines with her fiery performance at Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2025. Being one of the very few British-Punjabi models to make it big as an international supermodel, she walked the ramp alongside fashion show icons and sisters, Bella and Gigi Hadid.
Not only was she the only Indian-origin model in the lineup, but she was the only face, making her second consecutive appearance at the lingerie haute couture event. Marking her VSFS debut in 2024, she sported icy blue like her own, and this time, dazzled in a fairytale-inspired pink set with wings. In an attempt to rebuild their brand image, Victoria’s Secret has not only brought in models from across races, but made an attempt to include all sizes, genders, and has tried to break away from their industry stereotype.
From Punjab to the ramp: Who is Neelam Gill?
Born as Neelam Kaur Johal, she is a child of divorced parents. She changed her last name to Gill, adopting the name of her stepfather, who raised her. With family roots going back to Punjab, she was born in Coventry, England. She was a young, impressionable teen and started her modelling career at the age of 14 after being discovered at The Clothes Show Live.
Soon, at the age of 18, Neelam was handpicked by the global design brand, Burberry’s creative lead and debuted on the ramp. In 2013, she was the first Indian-origin model to appear in a Burberry campaign at the London Fashion Week 2013. Her international brand collaborations have been extremely impressive, ranging from L’Oréal Paris to Balmain; Neelam Gill also appeared in Kanye West’s Yeezy Show.
In 2023, she quickly became a paparazzi favourite as she was rumoured to be dating Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio. However, while the rumours were bashed, she became a highly-photographed model at the time. Walking the red carpet for the first time, Neelam Gill sported an opulent Tony Ward couture gown at the Cannes Film Festival 2023.
Gill’s social activism
Apart from being an international model and sharing the stage with the likes of Bella Hadid, she has broken several diversity barriers in the fashion industry. Representing South East Asian beauty at a global stage, she has overtly spoken about being a proud member of the Sikh community.
An advocate for mental health, Gill has opened up about anxiety, body-image, and self-worth in the fashion industry, on social media. She also uses her platform for wider skin shade and body-type representation in fashion ads.
