Sure, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is filled with barely there lingerie, Angel wings and confident, genetically blessed models. But the highly anticipated runway extravaganza is also a lot more emotional than you’d imagine, and a recent behind-the-scenes video from the casting process proves just how grueling nabbing a VS Fashion Show spot can be.

Victoria’s Secret

The lingerie label posted a video on its YouTube page, walking viewers through its days-long casting calls. With “well over 400 to 500” model applicants, the casting directors meet with hundreds of models who are hoping to land one of the coveted 45 spots.

“I saw close to 300 in the first two days of casting, which I do on my own with my team,” says John Pfeiffer, Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show casting director. “And in the two days of call-backs, I try to keep it to a maximum of 100 girls.”

But during those hundreds of auditions, the casting process becomes less fun and lot more nerve-wracking, as models from all over the globe fight for one of the most sought-after runway spots (again, there are only 45 up for grabs!) in the industry.

“You’re meant to be objective about it, but you know how hard all the girls have worked for it,” says Ed Razek, the show’s executive producer. “A few of them showed their emotions, but they all feel that way. Everyone of them feels that way.”

“There’s several who are either fighting back tears or literally crying in here today because there’s such a buildup, and they’ve been working for it and wanting it so badly,” adds Monica Mitro, executive producer.

Even previous VS catwalkers, including 31-year-old Brazilian beauty Izabel Goulart, can’t fight their emotions during auditions.

“Every year it feels like it’s the very, very first show and one thing that I do all year long is really try to … to work as hard as I can,” she said, fighting back tears. “So I can deserve to be here, to be a part of the moment that only happens at the show, at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.”

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High-fashion newcomers Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner will make their Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show debut, joining veteran Angels Lily Aldridge (who will be wearing the $2 million Fantasy Bra), Alessandra Ambrósio, Adrianna Lima, Behati Prinsloo and Candice Swanepoel, to name a few.

Selena Gomez, The Weeknd and Ellie Goulding are scheduled to perform for a live audience before the show airs on Dec. 8 on CBS.

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What do you think of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show casting process? Do you think you’d apply knowing how the picking-process works? Tell us below.

–Sarah Kinonen
Follow @sarahkinonen