Irina Shayk: Sports Illustrated's Newest Swimsuit Cover Girl

Irina Shayk heats up newsstands on the 2011 cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. The 24-year-old Russian model is no stranger to the SI swimsuit edition, as she's appeared inside the pages of the last four annual issues. In her first Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition cover, they've positioned her in such a way that she is literally busting out on top. In her other SI photos the 23-inch waist model does not appear as busty as she does on this 2011 cover. The cover is sure to cause minor pedestrian walking accidents at newsstands across the country.

Irinia Shayk told the "Today Show" that she did not find out she was on the cover until it was announced on David Letterman. Ten SI bathing suit models appeared on"The Late Show with David Letterman" on February 14, 2011. She posted her gratitude on her Facebook page "THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!!!! I GOT THE COVER!!!!!!!!" She also chose the cover as her Twitter background.

Irina Shayk's Bikini: Beyonce's?

While Irinia Shayk's 2011 cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition is way more suggestive than Beyonce's from 2007, the two covers have something vaguely in common: that bikini. At first glance, SI fans may think that Beyonce lent her bikini to Irina because both are yellow and pink. Irina's looks like an inside out version of Beyonce's, with the yellow and pink in opposite places. Most people may not even notice the bathing suit, though, since that is the least interesting feature on this particular cover.

Irina Shayk's striking beauty, with her green eyes, brown hair, and lips that make Botox jealous, have made her a Sports Illustrated favorite since 2007. You can Irina's other bathing suit images at "SI," including the ones set in Naples.

Bikini Covers: Before the Sports Illustrated 2011 Cover

The 2011 Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition is not Irina's first magazine cover. Ocean Drive magazine featured her on their July/August 2010 cover in a metallic bikini. In a cover similar to the necklace-as-bikini top from SI 2008, GQ South Africa showed Irina Shayk wearing layers of mini bronzed beads and a barely-there black bikini bottom.

Where Else You've Seen Her

Model Irina Shayk has appeared in fashion ads for Guess jeans and Armani Exchange Across the sea, women's magazine covers have included Glamour Spain (January 2011) Elle Spain (November 2010).

Romantically, she's linked to Real Madrid soccer player (or footballer, if you will) and fellow Armani model Cristiano Ronaldo.