Irina Shayk interviews and candid photos

Irina Shayk in silk pajamas modeling Lascana lingerie last month. For so long now it was a case of such pictures speaking more than words for Irina, but lately her visibility in the media and career graph has climbed astronomically, following her relationship with soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo.
Irina Shayk in a candid outtake during her interview for the August2010 issue of Ocean Drive magazine, for which she is the cover girl. It's true that Irina Shayk's international profile rose after she first appeared in the 2007 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. But despite three successive photo shoots and interviews with SI, Irina remained a mystery girl, visible only in online blogs and forums as a hot lingerie model from Russia.

Left, Irina Shayk enjoying some yogurt in New York, and right, walking to a friend's house in the city. Candid photos like these have become very common, and Irina has become a more recognized face, following the news of her relationship with the womanizing Portuguese striker.


Irina Shayk, with a ridiculous amount of tan spray, holding the Ocean Drive magazine with her amazing swimsuit body on the cover, as she attends the magazine's Cover Party at Gansevoort South on July 15, 2010 in Miami Beach, Florida.

In an interview with the Miami Herald Shayk spoke about what she liked in the city: "I love it. You can really relax there and melt the stress away on the beach. It's my favorite oasis to go to for a long weekend. There are amazing restaurants to eat at -- I'm a fan of sushi so Nobu at the Shore Club is a favorite spot. I like the new W hotel and Phillipe in the Gansevoort. I love how close it is to the beach so I can take a quick jog then relax at the pool."

Candid photo of Irina Shayk shopping at Armani Exchange in New York. Irina celebrated her 24th birthday in SouthAfrica at a game reserve and in an interview with GQ South Africa said: "I love it here. it's definitely very nice — the lifestyle, the mountains and oceans — but still too slow for me. Nice weather. Nice people. I don't think that I could live here though; it's too quiet for me. I like an energetic city like New York, some place that really keeps you moving."

The GQ interview lays to rest some myths like Irina being discovered by a modeling agent on a train journey. Turns out this myth was started by the Russian girl herself: "That was a joke. it was an interview I did with Sports Illustrated....my manager told me that it would be funny if I said that." Another myth that Shayk busted was her supposed relationship with the drummer of the band Linkin Park; turns out she hasn't even met the guy.

Irina Shayk on the cover of the August 2010 issue of GQ South Africa. She lives in New York but earns extra income through smart investments back home in Russia: "I have like six apartments in Russia. I'm collecting them and renting them [out]." Talking to the Miami Herald about maintaining her amazing figure Irina Shayk says, "I work out five times a week with a trainer to the stars, Justin Gelband. We do Pilates and boxing. He keeps things interesting so I don't get bored, mixing up the routine with long jogs on the West Side Highway. He also gave me a great healthy organic diet. It includes great tips, like eating small portions of `guilty pleasures' and no coffee, only green tea."