Irina Shayk to co-host Sanremo 2026 third evening alongside Conti and Pausini

Russian top model Irina Shayk will serve as co-host for the third evening of the 2026 Sanremo Festival on Thursday, February 26, artistic director Carlo Conti announced Tuesday.

Shayk will join Conti and fixed co-host Laura Pausini on stage at the Teatro Ariston. Conti revealed the news via Instagram video, describing Shayk as "one of the most beautiful women in the world, an extraordinary model, a beautiful and very talented actress."

Born in 1986 in an industrial city in Russia, Shayk has built a career as a global fashion icon. She has appeared on the runways of major fashion houses including Versace, Givenchy, Burberry, and Armani. She served as a Victoria's Secret Angel and has been featured on more than 150 editorial magazine covers, including 46 Vogue covers. She appeared in the 2025 Pirelli Calendar and has walked red carpets at events including the Met Gala, Cannes Film Festival, and Academy Awards.

Shayk has also pursued acting work and has appeared in films alongside major actors. She is known internationally for past relationships with footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, which lasted from 2010 to 2015, and actor Bradley Cooper, with whom she had a daughter, Lea De Seine, in 2017.

The announcement comes as part of a broader reshaping of the Sanremo 2026 lineup. Actress Pilar Fogliati will co-host the second evening on Wednesday, February 25. Singer Tiziano Ferro will appear as a special guest during the opening evening on Tuesday, February 24. Ferro previously participated as a guest star across all evenings of the 2020 Sanremo Festival under artistic director Amadeus.