In a candid interview with Elle, supermodel Irina Shayk delves into the poignant moments and hardships that shaped her remarkable journey from a small town in Russia to the global fashion spotlight.
Hailing from Yemanzhelinsk, Irina’s early life was marked by humble beginnings as the daughter of a coal miner. Contrary to the glamorous image associated with supermodels, she revealed that, in her youth, she barely comprehended the intricacies of the modeling profession.
The turning point in Irina’s life occurred with the untimely death of her father when she was just fourteen years old. Stricken by pneumonia, his passing left behind a grieving widow and two daughters, Irina being one of them. Recounting the heart-wrenching moment, she vividly described her grandmother’s shattered expression, saying, “I remember to this day her face. She was trying to get organized. She was so shocked, and she just held herself together for us.”
Faced with the immense adversity of losing her father, Irina took it upon herself to become the pillar of strength for her family. Expressing her commitment, she shared, “He loved us, but when he died, I kind of felt like, ‘I have to take care of the family.'”
Motivated by a profound sense of responsibility, Irina saw modeling as her way out of the predicament. In the interview, she revealed that her career in the fashion industry wasn’t a childhood dream but a strategic decision to provide for her family in the wake of her father’s passing.
Irina Shayk’s journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and the transformative power of turning adversity into opportunity. Her openness about the challenges she faced sheds light on the strength that propelled her from a small Russian town to the pinnacle of the global fashion scene.
