Irina Shayk’s career seems to be moving from strength to strength since becoming Cristiano Ronaldo’s girlfriend and has just landed the cover of the 2011 Sports Illustrated’s annual Swimsuit Issue.
The Russian-born beauty was revealed as the prestigious cover model on The Late Show with David Letterman last night.
She was accompanied on the show by a group of other swimsuit models, but only one could nab the coveted spot.
Beach beauty: Irina Shayk has been unveiled as the cover model for the 2011 annual edition of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
Irina posed for the provocative photo shoot months ago in Hawaii and the Philippines at a number of pristine beaches.
And she clearly made an impression on the magazine’s editor in her pink and yellow Sauvage by Elizabeth Southwood bikini to land the cover.
The 25-year-old accompanied her skimpy swimsuit with an Ettika bracelet as she accentuated her curves with an array of poses for photographer Bjorn Looss.
But it wasn’t until last night that she found out that her photo shoot was picked to adorn the magazine’s cover.
Lady in red: Irina wore a little red dress while holding a matching rose for her appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman in New York City last night
Fellow models: Irina posed with her fellow swimsuit models Kate Upton (left), Anne V and Izabel Goulart (right) outside the Letterman TV studios in New York City
Irina said on the U.S show: ‘there were 10 models there to do (Letterman’s) Top 10 List, and nobody knows until the last minute who the cover will be… and then I saw it, and I couldn’t believe it.’
The nine other swimsuit models who appeared on the show were Anne Vyalitsyna, Julie Henderson, Kate Upton, Alyssa Miller, Chrissy Teigen, Hilary Rhoda, Genevieve Morton, Damaris Lewis and Izabel Goulart.
During her appearance on the Late Show, Irina proved she looks just as good in a mini-dress as she does in a swimsuit as she arrived in a skimpy red silk dress.
The lady in red accompanied her outfit with classic black Christian Louboutins and a matching black clutch.
And there to support the model was her beau Ronaldo, who strolled into the Ed Sullivan Theater in a brown leather jacket and aviator sunglasses.
Winter chill: despite the cold New York weather, Irina showed off her mini dress with a short fur coat to keep her warm
Biggest fan: Irina’s supporter and boyfriend Cristiano Ronaldo made sure to join her at the Ed Sullivan Theatre last night as she appeared on the Late Show With David Letterman
Although the latest edition marks the fifth time Irina has appeared in the magazine, she has become the first Russian cover model for Sport’s Illustrated Annual Issue.
Before the 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition official unveiling on Letterman, photos of Shayk were leaked on a New York City billboard for extra publicity.
Theweek before the unveiling, posters of Irina, Brooklyn Decker and Anne Vyalitsyna were placed around the Big Apple to generate curiously over who would be the 2011 annual cover girl.
Irina was discovered while on a train to Moscow in 2004 and has since made a big impression on the modelling industry.
Special guest: Ronaldo strolled into the studio in New York City to accompany his girlfriend and tried to stay undercover in his aviator shades
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