Irina Shayk Recalled Feeling Like She Was “Born In The Wrong Body” And How She “Hated Being A Girl”

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Irina Shayk is opening up about the complicated relationship she had with her body growing up.

Close-up of Irina
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As you probably know, Irina is one of the most famous models in the world. Having been discovered by Intimissimi back in 2007, the now-37-year-old later rose to worldwide prominence when she posed on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 2011.

Close-up of Irina smiling in a backless outfit at a media event
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Over the years, Irina has been open about her long-running critique of her physique.

Close-up of Irina at a media event
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Back in 2017, Irina discussed how she didn’t initially feel “comfortable” with her body when she first pursued modeling. The following year, she told People magazine that she’s always been “very critical” of her physique as she reflected on how disconnected she felt to the term “supermodel.”

Close-up of Irina at a media event
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“I’m just a human being,” she said. “I don’t wake up in hair and makeup and high heels. I literally love to wear the most comfortable clothes ever, and sometimes when my agent sees me, he’s like, ‘Irina, this is not okay.’ And I’m like, ‘This is me.’”

Close-up of Irina at a media event in a pantsuit and vest
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She added, “I don’t wake up and say, ‘Oh my god, I’m so perfect.’ I wake up and say, ‘Maybe it’s time to go to the gym; I have cellulite.’ I’m very critical of myself.”

Close-up of Irina modeling
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And now Irina is opening up further about her relationship with her body.

Close-up of Irina in a strapless outfit
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Sitting down with Elle magazine for a brand-new interview this week, Irina recalled having “always” felt that she was “born in the wrong body.”

Close-up of Irina modeling an off-the-shoulder outfit
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Reflecting on her father’s death, which occurred when she was 14, Irina said, “My dad had always wanted to have a boy. He loved us, but when he died, I kind of felt like, ‘I have to take care of the family.’”

Close-up of Irina at a media event in a strapless outfit
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Irina went on to share that throughout her adolescence, she rejected the idea of femininity.

Close-up of Irina in a spaghetti-strap outfit
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“I always thought I was born in the wrong body. I hated being a girl. I remember fights with my mom; she wanted to dress me in something flowery. I wanted dark colors and something solid,” she recalled.

Close-up of Irina in a suit jacket
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“It wasn’t that I wanted to be a boy, but I felt like, ‘I don’t belong to my body,’” she explained.

Close-up profile view of Irina
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Irina noted that she felt “completely opposite” to her sister, who absolutely loved hair and makeup, and would often clamp down on her lips while hoping to make them smaller.

Close-up of Irina at a media event blowing a kiss
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By 20, Irina had begun modeling, and as she became accustomed to the industry, she received several critical comments about her appearance from agents.

Close-up of Irina modeling a sleeveless, straight gown
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“I had agents who said, ‘You have to cut your hair, lose 20 pounds, and become blonde,’” she recalled. “And I was like, ‘Absolutely fucking no.’”

Close-up of Irina in denim
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You can read Irina’s full Elle interview here.

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