It's no secret that being a Victoria's Secret Angel can really pay off. Eight of the top 10 highest-paid models in the world have worked for the retailer, and they usually become celebrities in their own right.  Here's a glimpse into the casting session for the 2013 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show:



Seems intimidating right? But earning a spot in the Victoria's Secret hall of fame isn't just about being born with the right set of DNA. It's actually a highly complicated and political process. Here's how Richard Habberley of DNA Model Management described the process during a WWD interview earlier this year:
“The merchants drive the decisions on the Angels. They [Victoria’s Secret] try the girls out, and certain girls sell product. They’re women that appeal to other women. And they’re special because they never appear in men’s magazines. Once you start to do that, they become threatening [to potential female customers],”
So that pretty much explains why the retailer famously rejected Kate Upton, as her constant sexy pictorials and commercials would turn off the retailer's potential customers. Makes sense.

[Women's Wear Daily]