Company Applauds JAX Song “Victoria’s Secret”

A popular new song by JAX called “Victoria’s Secret” complains about the pressure the singer felt growing up to look more like the brand’s “itty bitty models” of yore.

The lyrics refer to Leslie Wexner, former chairman of L Brands, of which Victoria’s Secret was a division for many years: “I know Victoria’s secret / And girl, you wouldn’t believe / She’s an old man who lives in Ohio / Making money off of girls like me / Cashing in on body issues / Selling skin and bones with big boobs.”

Victoria’s Secret, the brand, has, of course, been aggressively trying to alter its image over the past year and a half. And so the current CEO of VS and Pink was compelled to respond with a note to the singer. Amy Hauk (who has been at the brand since September of 2018, before the changes began) wrote, “Our transformation is a journey and every day we are working hard to advocate for all women.” She added, “I can wholeheartedly say that we are all committed to building a community where everyone feels seen and respected.”

And during a recent financial call with analysts, Victoria’s Secret & Co. CEO Martin Waters (with VS since 2008) referred to JAX, claiming: “We are on the same page. We agree with her. We are grateful to her for raising the subject. I don’t think it reflects negatively on us. I think it’s an adequate and appropriate reflection of the industry at large as it has been represented consistently over the last decade or so. So, we want to be at the forefront of the change rather than representative of the past, and we are grateful for that opportunity.” — NM