Alena Shishkova is a Russian model and second runner-up for Miss Russia 2012, and one of the most recognizable faces of Russian glossy magazines and social media in the 2010s. She is in the conversation again now: fresh interviews, a television appearance and a calmer, more grown-up stage of her career. Here is how a girl from Tyumen who was teased at school for being too thin became a runway star, what she is doing now, and why her story matters for anyone who dreams about modeling.
From Tyumen to the runway
Alena Shishkova was born on 12 November 1992 in Tyumen. At school she was often teased for being thin and tall — kids called her "the board." What looked like a reason to mock her later became a profession: at 176 cm and with natural proportions, Shishkova fit modeling requirements perfectly. Her mother sent her photos to a modeling magazine, and by 16 the offers started coming in, including from Milan and Japan.
This is a classic industry scenario: what a schoolyard treats as "too much" often turns out to be the main advantage in modeling. We cover which stats are actually required, and where the myths come from, in our guide on model measurements — height, weight and stats.
Miss Russia runner-up and runway work
Real fame arrived in 2012: at 20, Alena Shishkova became second runner-up for Miss Russia. A title at a major national pageant means instant recognition and a springboard into the profession. Afterward Shishkova worked shows in Tokyo and Milan and, according to media reports, took part in projects connected to houses such as Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana and Christian Louboutin.
Beauty pageants and modeling are not the same thing, but for many young women a win or a podium finish is exactly what opens agency doors. For how that path works, and how to start without pageants, see our guide on how to become a model.
Timati and her daughter Alisa
To a wider audience, Shishkova is also known for her personal life. In 2012 she met the rapper Timati — according to media reports, on a music video shoot. In 2014 (19 March) the couple had a daughter, Alisa. Although the parents' relationship ended around 2015, they stayed on good terms and co-parent their daughter. In 2026, according to the press, Alisa's 12th birthday was celebrated together — with Timati and his mother. Alisa herself lives in Moscow and is into, among other things, film and ballet.
Business and its lessons
Like many models, Shishkova tried her hand at business. In 2017 she launched a beauty venture and the White Star salon on Novy Arbat in Moscow. However, according to media reports, in 2019 she lost the project after a conflict with her partners. This is a common story in the careers of public figures: a name and an audience help launch a brand, but without solid agreements a project stays vulnerable. For models, it is one more argument for locking in the terms of any deal up front — the same way you would with a shoot contract.
An honest conversation about health
A separate and important part of Shishkova's public story is her openness about eating disorders. She has spoken publicly about a years-long struggle with bulimia and anorexia, and in 2023, according to media reports, she underwent treatment at a specialized center. That kind of honesty is valuable: it strips the gloss off the profession and reminds everyone that there is a real person behind the "perfect picture."
This is exactly the line we hold at GetModel: health and sustainable fitness matter more than imposed thinness. If you are just looking into the profession, start not with diets but with understanding the real requirements — which is what our breakdown of model measurements is about.
Where Alena Shishkova is now
Today Shishkova is in a calmer, more grown-up phase. She barely posts on social media — her activity dropped noticeably after Instagram was blocked in Russia — but she stays in public view: in spring 2026 she appeared on television, including on the NTV show "Zvezdy soshlis." Based on her own comments, her priority now is her daughter and the people close to her rather than a race for media presence. For anyone building a modeling career today, live job offers are worth looking for in our castings section.
FAQ
How old is Alena Shishkova?
Alena Shishkova was born on 12 November 1992, which makes her 33 in 2026.
What is Alena Shishkova known for?
She is a Russian model and second runner-up for Miss Russia 2012, one of the most recognizable figures in Russian glossy media and social networks of the 2010s.
Does Alena Shishkova have children?
Yes, she has a daughter, Alisa (born 19 March 2014), with the rapper Timati. The parents separated but stayed on good terms and co-parent their daughter.
What is Alena Shishkova doing now?
She is in a quieter phase: she rarely uses social media, appears on television from time to time (in spring 2026 on the NTV show "Zvezdy soshlis") and is focused on her family.
Is it true that Shishkova has spoken about health problems?
Yes. She has spoken publicly about a years-long struggle with eating disorders, and in 2023, according to media reports, she underwent treatment at a specialized center.
Alena Shishkova's story is a reminder that a modeling career does not end at the peak of fame. A calmer stage, honesty about the hard parts and a focus on family are also part of the profession — and often it is exactly that turn that makes a public figure feel closer and more relatable to an audience.
Photo: iFamousMe / CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons