The 1 Thing the Victoria's Secret Angels Do Backstage That No One Tells You About

Updated on Dec 7, 2015 at 5:21 PM

Taylor Hill didn't just get to walk down this year's Victoria's Secret runway in those suede, star-spangled, thigh-high boots. What you may not know is that the supermodel was named the "face of PINK USA" for 2015 — in other words, she was carrying a lot more than a set of wings on her shoulders.

"I was like, 'Oh my God, this is incredible.' I was looking in the mirror and I was like, 'I'm Miss America! It's real!'" Taylor explained. We don't blame her for being excited. Taking on such a role is a major milestone in Ms. Hill's career, which is totally taking off, by the way.

Read on to hear five of Taylor's secrets, from what it's like to be backstage with some of her icons (spoiler: Adriana Lima) to choosing her unexpected afterparty outfit, and even a few quick tips for taking on the industry with confidence and poise.

Taylor Only Practiced Walking in Her Thigh-High Boots ONCE Before the Show!

"We have rehearsal the day before, it's a very long rehearsal. We do like six hours, and they're trying to get the music and the timing and everything right, so rehearsal day is the day we all walk in our shoes; we stand in them, we get used to them. That's how I train for the big day. I wore them in the fitting for like 30 minutes, but just those few hours!"

Angel Veteran Adriana Lima Led the Girls in a Ritual Before the Show

"There's always things that we do. This year we were all standing in a circle backstage and it was Adriana Lima, Sara [Sampaio], Josephine [Skriver], me, and I think Romee [Strijd]. We were holding hands and Adriana Lima was like, 'Everybody let it out!' She was like, 'Just scream!' and we all just screamed at the top of our lungs. That really helps. It gets the nerves out. You're like, 'OK, I'm ready.' So I was like, 'Thanks Adriana, good to know.'"

Why She Looks Up to Adriana Lima

"This was her 16th year, her 16th show, which is incredible. She's just grown up with Victoria's Secret. She was 18, and now she has kids and is an amazing, beautiful, wonderful woman. So I of course look up to her as someone who's been around for so long, and is so beautiful, and so amazing and helpful. All of [the Angels'] attitudes are always so good, and that's something to look up to. Like, always be nice, always be kind, and always remember who you are and where you came from."

There Was a Lot of Pressure to Pick the Perfect Afterparty Outfit

"I have stylists, so they help me, because I have no idea. If it was up to me I'd probably just wear pants and tennis shoes, and they're like, 'No, no. You have to wear a dress.' My stylist came to my house and showed me this amazing Marchesa beaded gown. I was like, 'OK, fine.' It was so pretty. On the red carpet, you have to be on point. Even sometimes more so than the show. Everyone's like, 'Oh, you're off duty now, what do you look like?' I'm like, 'Good, I think.' Hopefully."

She Has Industry Role Models Who Aren't VS Angels — Anymore

"Gisele Bündchen. Oh my God, I look up to her so much. She is my favorite model for sure, like one of my faves. Fan-girl over that one, all day long."