Shanina Shaik was born on February 11, 1991 in Melbourne, Australia. Her mother’s Lithuanian/Australian heritage fused with her father’s Pakistani/Saudi Arabia roots are key elements for Shanina’s unique multicultural look and universal outlook on life.
Shaik had an early start in the industry at age eight. Deciding to prioritize her education, in 2008, she entered Australia’s “Make Me A Super Model”. Her presence and popularity on the show quickly gained attention and she was flown to New York City where she signed her first modeling contact.
Her versatility in both commercial and high fashion work has continued to gain her notoriety around the world. Shanina’s synergy of natural beauty, a down to earth attitude and incredible work ethic continue to propel her to the forefront of fashion’s elite.
Shaik made her New York Fashion Week debut in 2009 and since then has starred in ad campaigns and commercials for some of the world’s biggest designers and brands including Chanel, Tom Ford, Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood, Oscar de la Renta, Roberto Cavalli, Jason Wu and Victoria’s Secret. Shaik also walked the prestigious Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2018. She has covered magazines, including Vogue India; InStyle Australia; Harper’s Bazaar Australia, Singapore and Arabia; Women’s Health Australia and United Kingdom; CLEO Australia; Women’s Fitness Australia, Lurve and Brides. Shaik has also worked with renowned international photographers such as David Sims, Peter Lindbergh and Terry Richardson and graced the pages of Vogue, W, Elle, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Interview and Harper’s Bazaar. Most recently, she starred in the E! hit reality TV show, “Model Squad,” which showcased her day-to-day life as a supermodel living and working in New York City. Shaik has also been working on another passion of hers, acting, and has appeared in the blockbuster film, “The Mummy,” starring Tom Cruise and will be appearing in the upcoming release “Greed” along side Isla Fisher.
Despite her confidence on the runway, Shanina was bullied at the age of 14, which led her to suffer from depression and low self-esteem in her teens. She now uses the experience for good by working with youth suicide prevention charities, such as Youth Focus and being an anti-bullying advocate. She aims to someday mentor children and help them in overcoming difficult issues.
Off-duty, Shaik enjoys spending time with her husband, walking with her dog Choppa, kickboxing and indulging in chocolate chip cookie dough with chocolate ice cream, while cheering on her favorite sports teams, Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks.