Barbara Palvin shares powerful postpartum message after walking Victoria's Secret Show
Barbara Palvin has issued an emotional message about motherhood after she walked the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, six weeks postpartum.
The Hungarian model, 33, took to the runway in Los Angeles on Sunday (18 October) in a sheer pale-pink ruffled mini slip dress, before later returning in a sequinned corset, and of course, angel wings.
Her appearance came just six weeks after she and her husband Dylan Sprouse welcomed their first child together, a baby girl called Sylvie.
The unexpected choice sparked an important debate around maternity leave and the expectations surrounding mothers - and now, Palvin has weighed in on it herself.
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She took to Instagram on Thursday (22 October) to share a series of behind-the-scenes photos, as a reminder ‘of the reality behind all the glam’.
The model posted a carousel of photos of herself with her baby girl, including one adorable snap of the little one wearing an angel wing babygrow, and another of her wearing nursing pads while glammed up backstage.
Palvin also shared snaps of baby furniture being built, her mum with a stroller, a pregnant mirror selfie, a gym snap, and a photo of Dylan holding his daughter.
She wrote in the caption: “It really does take a village. Feeling incredibly blessed to have the love and support of my family and friends through this new chapter of my life. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
Palvin issued a ‘huge thank you’ to Victoria’s Secret for ‘embracing me exactly where I am in my postpartum journey and making me feel so beautiful and confident’.
She revealed: “ I mean, we were literally sewing nursing pads into my bras backstage! A little reminder of the reality behind all the glam.
“Going back to work was a choice I was lucky enough to make. And while I’m so grateful for this opportunity, I can’t help but think about all the mothers who don’t have that choice.
“In the US, so many women are expected to return to work just 6–8 weeks after giving birth, often without paid maternity leave. Mothers deserve more time, more support, and more choices.”
She continued: “I’m so proud of this moment and what I accomplished, and I’m happy to be back in our little bubble with Sylvie.
“One thing I really want to say is that every postpartum journey looks different, and none of us should ever feel the need to compare.
“What you saw on that runway was me all dolled up, but my everyday postpartum reality looks very different.
“Some days, just finding time to take a shower or sit down and eat a meal in peace feels like a huge accomplishment. And that deserves to be celebrated too.”
The model concluded: “Because whether you’re walking a runway, going back to work, or simply making it through another sleepless night, we all have one incredible thing in common: we created a miracle. And that alone deserves to be celebrated.
“Motherhood is hard, beautiful, messy, emotional, and so, so worth it. Thank you for all the love. My heart is full. Let’s go, mamas! We’re all doing amazing.”
Fans have rushed to praise the star for her thoughtful response, with Victoria’s Secret writing in the comments: “You’re a superwoman in every sense.”
Someone else penned: “I love how she made it clear that postpartum is different for every woman. Such a beautiful soul.”
And another fan agreed: Absolutely perfectly said!! Congrats, mama - baby Sylvie is lucky to have you.”
Madison Burgess