Kris Jenner Reveals How Kendall Got Her First Victoria’s Secret Gig

We’d expect nothing less from Hollywood’s hardest-working momager

Many aspiring models dream of being chosen to walk the coveted Victoria’s Secret runway but if you’re mum is Kris Jenner, you’re chances of stepping into those stilettos are undoubtedly much, much higher. 

At WWD’s CEO Summit, the matriarch revealed in an on-stage conversation with Tommy Hilfiger how she was instrumental in helping her daughter achieve her dream by personally researching and reaching out to of the brand’s most-used photographers and setting up an introduction.

Kendall poses backstage at the 2016 Victoria’s Secret show

Image: Getty

The mother-of-six admitted that she left Russell James a voicemail after scouring for his number on the internet and attempted to convince him over the phone that he should meet with Kendall, who had wanted to become a Victoria’s Secret model since she was just 15 years old.

James eventually returned Jenner’s call and came to the Kardashian family home to meet with the pair 10 days later. Despite advising Kendall to wear “her cutest party dress” the model-in-the-making wore skinny jeans and platform shoes to meet the famed photographer who was immediately excited to set up a shoot, Jenner recalls: “He said, ‘You’re right, she’s beautiful, and I can’t wait to work with her.'”

Kendall Jenner and Russel James at his ‘Angels’ book launch in 2014

Image: Getty

The rest is fashion fairytale history as Kendall went on to model in the brand’s 2015 and 2016 shows but has since not returned to the runway due to a new contract with rival lingerie brand, La Perla.