Irina Shayk used to wish she was a boy.
The 30-year-old Russian model – who is dating Bradley Cooper and previously romanced Cristiano Ronaldo – didn’t think she was "pretty" as a teenager and was convinced no one would ever be attracted to her.
She said: "I was born and raised in a small village, and I didn’t even think I was especially pretty. At 14, I’d have given my left arm to be a boy: I thought I was horrible, and that no-one would ever find me attractive."
But these days Irina is an in-demand model, though she will never forget her humble beginnings, recalling how "embarrassed" she felt on her first trip to Paris.
Speaking to designer Riccardo Tisci for GQ Italia magazine: "I had never travelled by plane until the age of 19.
"When I arrived in Paris for the first time. I was 20, and I had nothing to wear and nothing to eat. I remember how embarrassed I felt in front of the other models because of how I was dressed."
Despite being surrounded by some of the most beautiful women in the world because of her career, Irina insists she has never been attracted to another female.
She said: "No way. I’m Russian: I’m into men, diamonds and caviar."
Irina recently admitted she is "terrible" at doing her own make-up.
She said: "I’m terrible at doing make-up myself, so I prefer to follow the rule: less is more. I do love red lips for the evening, but I wear no eye make-up when I do a strong lip.
"I don’t do liner, because it looks too ‘done’ – I just tap lipstick on with my fingers. It’s easy and looks really fresh.
"I don’t wear foundation, because I like to have fresh skin. I’ll use concealer under my eyes, on my chin and to cover any redness."
Irina Shayk wanted to be a boy
