They're touted as the most beautiful women in the world – and this year, one of them is Canadian.
Ottawa-raised model Herieth Paul walked the runway at the 2016 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, as the only Canadian beauty in the much-hyped pop culture event.
The 20-year-old, who was born in Tanzania, says it was a "dream come true" to model for the iconic lingerie brand.
"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity," Paul told CTV Ottawa on Monday.
Paul says she was nervous about the gig, right up until the moment she walked out on stage, during a performance by Bruno Mars.
"I just turned it on and I did my thing on the runway," Paul said. "It was so fun!"
Lady Gaga and Canadian artist The Weeknd also performed at the show.
Paul started modelling six years ago, with the Canadian-based agency Angie's Models.
Angie Seymour, who runs the agency, said she was proud to see Paul walk the runway in Paris. "She killed it," Seymour told CTV Ottawa. "She ate up all the energy and she just soared."
Seymour compared modelling in the VS fashion show to winning the Grey Cup, the Rose Bowl or the Oscars. "That's what it is to a model."
Paul says she hopes to take her career to new heights after appearing in the show. "When you get to be one of those Victoria's Secret models you get to be on a different level," she said. "You basically have made it."
With files from CTV Ottawa
