What you need to know
Irina Shayk knows better than anyone how beauty standards affect us. That’s why she teaches her daughter Léa de Seine about confidence early in life.
“I feel like there’s a lot of beauty standards out there, so of course I try to protect my daughter from that,” she exclusively tells PEOPLE about her shared parenting with Bradley Cooper.
But the 39-year-old supermodel is now “so happy” to be part of an industry that celebrates inclusivity and people from all walks of life. “This is very important and I really hope it doesn’t become a trend.”
Another life lesson she wants Lee to emulate: “Well, definitely stand up for yourself.”
Arnold Gierocchi/Getty Images
Sheikh, who recently made her debut in the 52nd edition of the Pirelli Calendar, also admitted to PEOPLE that she was “naturally insecure”. But over time, she learned that loving yourself is a “learning process.” She explained: “There are so many things in this industry that can be perfected and adjusted. I always say, just love yourself for who you are.” Motherhood has been a part of her life, and it has given her even more strength. “I’m literally at the right time in my life. I’m a mom and I feel really comfortable with who I am.”
“Flaws can be perfect. I mean, when you look at one of the most beautiful women in the world, they may not have the perfect nose or lips or ears, but that’s their beauty. So I champion natural beauty and celebrate who you are.”
Never miss a news. Sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to human interest stories.
Shayk and Cooper, 50, began dating in 2015 and called it quits two years after Leah was born in 2017. However, for the sake of her daughter, she continues to be “friendly and get along.”
Dimitrios Cambris/Getty
In a 2020 interview with British Vogue, the Hercules actress admitted that “it’s hard to find the balance between being a single mom and being a working woman and a healthcare provider,” adding, “Trust me, there are days when I wake up and think, ‘Oh my God, I don’t know what to do, I’m falling apart.'” ”
“I always try not to be away from my daughter for more than a week, but I don’t want to be that woman who isn’t true to herself. I love my job and I grew up in a woman-run household. I want my daughter to know that she has a job in life. I want her to be a strong, powerful woman. Gifts and food don’t just come out of the blue.”
