Irina Shayk found herself at the center of controversy during the third night of the Sanremo Music Festival after being asked about the war between Russia and Ukraine. Her response quickly drew attention.
The Russian supermodel appeared as a co host at the iconic Italian event and greeted the press in Italian, saying she was happy to be in Sanremo and grateful for the opportunity. However, the tone of the press conference shifted when a journalist directly asked her about the ongoing conflict.
“You are Russian, what do you think about the war in Ukraine?” the reporter asked.
Shayk firmly declined to comment on political matters.
“I don’t want to say anything political,” she responded. “I am here to celebrate love, music and unity, and to bring positive energy. There are many things happening in the world, and I am happy to be here with you and see your smiles, but I do not want to enter political issues.”
She added that she wanted to send a message of peace and love to the world. As a Russian woman, she said she was grateful for the opportunity to be part of Sanremo. “If there are people who are not happy that I am here, there is nothing I can do about that. I am a public figure and this is something that must be accepted.”
During the conference, Shayk also spoke about her upbringing, revealing she grew up in a remote village and worked in a garden as a child. She credited her modest background for teaching her to stay grounded, remain kind, and never forget her roots. She emphasized that in life, what matters most is closeness to loved ones rather than material wealth, a lesson she says she is passing on to her daughter.
When asked about gender representation at the festival amid debates over the lack of female participants, Shayk described herself as a feminist, but “in her own way.”
“I do not want men to disappear from the face of the Earth. I love men and I respect them,” she said, adding that while she believes relationships can improve, mutual respect remains essential.
Her refusal to address the war directly has sparked mixed reactions online, with some praising her focus on unity and others criticizing her decision to avoid the topic.
