Iryna Zhuravska

Zhuravska was born in Kyiv, in Ukraine. At the time of her participation at the Miss World 2008 pageant, she was a second-year student at the Kyiv Pedagogical University, majoring in English. For many years, she has been dancing in the ballet "Todes" by Alla Dukhova. At 18, she became a TV weather broadcaster.

As a model, Zhuravska has worked for many notable Ukrainian designers and appeared in TV commercials and music videos. She signed with KARIN MMG agency, owned Ukrainian model Vlada Lytovchenko, who also won the Miss Ukraine pageant. Zhuravska won the 2008 Miss Ukraine pageant and received a crown worth $500,000 and the right to represent Ukraine at Miss World. Previously, she won the titles Vice-Miss of Miss Donbas Open 2007, Miss Internet, and Miss Algora.[1] She also was a runner-up of Miss World Talent in 2008.

Zhuravska is a close relative of the Kyiv mayor-deputy, Vitaliy Zhuravsky. Vitaliy Zhuravsky, who later became a presidential adviser for Viktor Yanukovych, often attends the contest. There are some rumors from participants of the Miss Ukraine concourse that he might have influenced her award. Particularly such statement came from Miss Ukraine Universe 2006 Inna Tsymbalyuk who said that Zhuravska did not participate in qualifications, however, Vitaliy Zhuravsky denied any allegations to him.[2]

• Zhuravska won unfairly?! from TabloID