Elena Churikova was born in Melitopol, Ukraine and grew up as a very shy and reserved girl. Elena came to the US when she was nineteen through a summer work and travel program, but fell in love with the country and its people and decided to stay. She first got in to modeling when a friend asked to take photos of her and helped her create a modeling page online. Elena didn’t really take it serious at first, although, within the last year she has made her best effort at making it a career and it’s really paying off. Elena has made the pages of eleven magazines, six of them being covers. This is the second time shooting for RUKUS and we’re glad to have her back. You can also find Elena traveling around the country for different events and modeling for a few bikini companies and an eyewear company. This girl is becoming quite the little Russian powerhouse. I guess you could say From Russia with Love and Russia we Thank You!
1. What’s your Ethnicity?
Russian/Ukrainian.
2. What’s your zodiac sign?
Taurus
3. Where are you from originally?
I was born in Ukraine and moved to Russia when I was fourteen.
4. What did you like most about growing up in the Ukraine?
I loved the summers in the Ukraine the most. I grew up by the Azov Sea, it’s so warm there. My dad grew peaches, strawberries, pears, apples, raspberries and cherries, so I also definitely miss the home grown organic fruits and veggies.
5. What kind of mischief did you get into growing up?
I used to ditch school a lot, but that was in my high school years. Overall, I was a good kid.
6. What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
I would say coming to America with only $700 in my pocket, not knowing anybody and barely speaking any English was the craziest thing I’ve done so far. [wink]
7. What’s your favorite hobby and why?
I love aerial silks. I wish I had started doing it when I was younger. I’m naturally very strong, so it comes pretty easy for me. I’ve been to a Cirque Du Soleil show before, but I never thought I was capable of doing this stuff, it’s unreal.
8. What’s your guilty pleasure?
European milk chocolate with hazelnuts. [smile] Also, organic gummy bears, cheese, especially truffle goat cheese. [laugh]
9. Who do you admire?
The older I get the more I admire Natalia Vodyanova, she’s definitely a role model and we have a similar life story.
10. If you could change one thing in the world what would it be and why?
I‘d like our world to be less materialistic and I’d love it if everyone had equal opportunities.
11. What’s one of your personal goals?
To become a world known model and definitely have my own business. Also, my biggest goal is to travel the world and eat authentic food. I love trying different foods.
12. What do guys compliment you on the most?
My eyes, my legs, sometimes my butt and my smile. [laugh]
13. What’s your favorite body part on yourself?
My legs.
14. What do you look for in a guy?
Sense of humor. I know it sounds cliché, but it’s the biggest turn on for me.
15. What’s the first thing you notice about a guy?
His eyes and upper body.
16. What’s your ideal first date?
Anything romantic. You can’t go wrong with that, just don’t get too cheesy.
17. What turns you on?
Great sense of humor and sexy attitude.
18. What turns you off?
Cockiness. And if a guy drives like an asshole I will never date him! You can totally tell someone’s personality by the way they drive.
19. What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Slow drivers! I’ll definitely will never date one of those!
20. Who’s your celebrity pass?
Russell Brand from “Get him to the greek.” He’s got that sexy vibe about him!
STATS:
Birthday: April 29
Height: 5’4”
Weight: 105 lb
Measurements: 32D-24-36