Name: Irina Shayk
Birthdate: January 6, 1986
Birthplace: Yemanzhelinski, Russia
Claim to fame: She’s a famous Russian model who’s best known for appearing in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue from 2007-2014, as well as being the first ever Russian model to appear on the cover (2011).
What we can see her in next: She makes her acting debut in this month’s Hercules, which is set to release in theatres on July 25, 2014.
Interesting fact: She has been dating soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo since 2010 when they met at an Armani Exchange photo shoot.
Best quote: “People don’t come up to me because I’m always busy…and maybe because they’re scared. I’m a real person, just a normal girl who is walking down the street. I love a man who is smart, educated and interested in having a good conversation. If you have that there is no need for a pick-up line.” — On why guys never approach her and what she looks for in a guy.
Why we love her: I’m sure for a lot of you the name Irina Shayk will mean nothing more than a confusing bunch of letters that need to be spoken back to you, one…two…maybe three or four times (Even then you won’t be able to pronounce it). But after this month’s Hercules is released on July 25, you will probably be Googling her image (TRYING to spell it correctly) until your drool drops on the keyboard. That’s because she’s absolutely stunning (no words can really fully articulate this perfect specimen of a woman) and apparently she strips down to the nude in one scene when she takes a bath in a very powerful story-defining moment. So check out a few images of her behind online (it’s there), and you’ll understand a little too well why she’s our crush this week.
Irina grew up in rural Russia where she enjoyed planting potatoes (yes this is true) and was raised by her father who was a coal miner (unbelievable how a coal miner can create a SI cover model), but she always knew she was destined for something greater than a village life and 10 kids before she was even an adult. While attending a beauty school with her sister, she was discovered by an agent from a local modeling agency who got her to participate in the “Miss Chelyabinsk 2004” which she won. From here she went onto Paris where she modeled all over Europe, eventually landing in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2007, where she’s been featured every year since. In 2011, she became the first ever-Russian model to be featured on the cover…yadda…yadda…the long list of awards for being ridiculously attractive and perfect commences.
Now she’s made the leap into films and can be seen onscreen cozied up to “The Rock” Dwayne Johnson, as well as showing off that aforementioned beautiful behind. It’s just too bad that she’s long gone off the market and into the arms of soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, even though she has said she’s not a fan of the sport. That’s okay, for now we’ll settle for some popcorn and her pretty figure blown up in front of us. Irina Shayk you’re our crush this week, you beautiful, beautiful, indescribable woman — we bid you well with your launch into acting, and as long as you don’t lose a limb or burn in a fire those roles should keep coming in on streamline.
You can catch Hercules in theatres everywhere on July 25.
