Ex-Angel Erin Heatherton claims pressure from Victoria's Secret to lose weight caused her battle with depression - which forced her to quit the catwalk 

Former Victoria's Secret Angel Erin Heatherton has opened up about how her decision to quit the catwalk was brought on by pressure from the brand to lose weight.

The 27-year-old model from Illinois became a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2010, just two years after first walking the runway for the lingerie giant.

Erin has now revealed that her battle with depression, which was caused by the pressure to fit the brand's aesthetic, persuaded her to hang up her angel wings three years ago.

Scroll down for video 

Former Victoria's Secret model Erin Heatherton, 27, from Illinois has opened up about how the battle with depression which caused her to quit the catwalk was brought on by pressure from the brand to lose weight. Pictured on the catwalk in November 2013

Speaking to Motto about her body image issues, the blonde beauty - who quit the underwear brand catwalk in 2013 - said: 'My last two Victoria's Secret shows, I was told I had to lose weight. I look back, like, "Really?".

'I was really depressed because I was working so hard and I felt like my body was resisting me.' 

Mail Online has contacted Victoria's Secret for further comment.  

Erin, who would undertake intense workouts twice a day in preparation for the catwalk, was struggling to shift any additional weight. 

She felt she was portraying an unrealistic image to other women and so decided to quit catwalk modelling for the brand - although she did continue to shoot advertising campaigns.

Erin has starred in campaigns for the likes of Valentino, Karl Lagerfeld, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana, and is a Sports Illustrated regular (pictured at the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue launch in February 2016)

She explained: 'I got to a point where one night I got home from a workout and I remember staring at my food and thinking maybe I should just not eat.

'I realised I couldn't go out into the world, parading my body and myself in front of all these women who look up to me and tell them that this is easy and simple and everyone can do this.'

Erin last month opened up about her depression battle in an emotional post to her followers on Instagram. 

Erin on the catwalk during her final Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York in 2013

Erin on the catwalk in 2012, when she claims she was under pressure from Victoria's Secret to lose more weight

Erin, who would undergo intense workouts twice a day in preparation for the catwalk, was struggling to shift any additional weight

She posted a sultry photo of herself in fuchsia underwear and a black tank top emblazoned with the logo 'Empowered by Failure'. 

She captioned the social media upload: 'The breakdown to breakthrough moment in my life has allowed me to become the truest version of myself. 

'In my moment of 'failure', I stood in the face of adversity. I was struggling with my body image and the pressures to fulfil the demands of perfectionism upon me. I am not perfect.

The model opened up about her depression battle in a emotional post on Instagram last month 

She posted a sultry photo of herself in fuchsia underwear and a black tank top emblazoned with the logo 'Empowered by Failure' explaining that having a 'breakdown' allowed her to become the 'truest version' of herself

'I look back on that moment now, and I embrace it. This feeling I once perceived as 'failure' was, in truth, a powerful awakening for me to stand behind my purpose in life. 

I stepped away from hiding behind a fabricated version of myself. I no longer put actions behind my fears and insecurities. I made a choice to redirect my energy to be a catalyst for change. 

'To create a channel for women to become the truest versions of themselves, along with me. (Stay tuned for more...) In the end, if you aren't being true to yourself, then what the f*** is the point. #rebelwacause #empowerment (sic)'

Erin made her breakthrough appearing in Diane Von Furstenberg's catwalk show in 2006. She modelled for Victoria's Secret from 2008 to 2013. 

She's also starred in campaigns for the likes of Valentino, Karl Lagerfeld, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana, and is a Sports Illustrated regular. 

She previously dated Leonardo di Caprio for 10 months from 2011 to 2012, but is now in a relationship with Australian musician Felix Boxsom.