Iryna Slyunko

Basic information

• Full name: Iryna Viktorivna Slyunko

• Date of birth: ~1987 (36 years old in 2023)

• Place of origin: Kherson, Ukraine

• Height: 168 cm

• Weight: 57 kg

• Marital status: Married (husband – Viktor, classmate); has a son

• Place of residence: Kyiv (residential complex “New England”)

The early years: the formation of a personality in a complex environment

Iryna was born and raised in Kherson, a city where Russian was the dominant language in everyday life and school life. She received her education in a Russian-language school, which she says shaped her linguistic identity. Her youth was accompanied by serious challenges: she led an uncontrolled lifestyle – she abused alcohol, spent her son’s money on parties, and frequented nightclubs. Because of this, her son was already completely independent at the age of 12.

A key moment in her self-awareness was a visit to a fortune teller who predicted her death by the age of 30 if she did not stop drinking. This turning point made Iryna rethink her life priorities. It was then that she decided to change and set a positive example for her son, which became her motivation to take part in the television project.

Television career: the path to transformation

1. “From a Girl to a Lady (Season 2, New Channel)

Iryna became one of the most charismatic contestants. The audience remembered her by the nickname “Lida”, which stuck with her in the media. During the show, she underwent a significant personal transformation, demonstrating both her weaknesses and strength of will.

• She reached the final of the show

• Repeatedly recognized as the “best student of the week”

• Received immunity

• She didn’t win – Anna Savynets won the main prize

Participation in the show emphasized her desire for change, although it did not result in a final triumph.

2. “Kids. New Life” (Spin-off)

In this sequel, Iryna was able to win. It was a kind of verification of her transformation. The show became a key moment for her: she got an apartment in Kyiv, voiced her dream of becoming an actress, had conflicts with the participants, and participated in candid filming.

3. “Supermom” (Season 4)

Iryna participated in the show as a mother. She showed her Kyiv apartment, a prize from the previous show, and her approach to raising her son. This caused a flurry of criticism:

• She allowed her underage son to smoke

• She offered other mothers wine in the morning

• Demonstrated unconventional approaches to motherhood

Personal life: from a single mother to a wife

After the filming was over, Iryna met her classmate Viktor all over again. Their story is a romantic reinterpretation of the past. The couple got married in Kherson, where her TV friends attended the wedding. Her marriage was a new beginning for her after a difficult past.

Public image and social media

Iryna is an active Instagram user. After the outbreak of the full-scale war, she designed her profile in a patriotic style:

• She posted in Ukrainian

• She used the symbols of the state

• Before the war, she wrote mostly in Russian

This contrast became the subject of a deep public debate during the next scandal.

The language scandal of 2023: the fall of trust

In March 2023, a voice message was published in the residential chat of the New England residential complex from the account of Irina (“Lida”), in which she

• Refused to speak Ukrainian

• Called her Ukrainian-speaking neighbors “nits” and “crazy”

• She said she didn’t give a f*** that Ukrainian is the official language in Ukraine

The video with this message quickly went viral. The public reacted negatively. Many people accused Irina of hypocrisy: she uses Ukrainian on social media, but in real life she despises the Ukrainian language.

Iryna tried to justify herself by saying that she grew up in a Russian-speaking environment and her words were taken out of context. At the same time, she complained about threats from residents.

Public influence and media shadow

Iryna Slyunko’s career is an example of the paradoxical life of a reality TV star: on the one hand, a real transformation, on the other, a public return to conflict and toxic behavior. Her path is an illustration of how publicity can uplift and destroy, especially in the context of high social tension around the language and cultural issue in Ukraine.

Bottom line: a symbol of change that did not stand the test of time

Iryna Slyunko became popular for her sincerity on television, but her subsequent actions showed how difficult it is to maintain a positive public image in real life. She left a mark on Ukrainian television, gained recognition, but also became an example of how a single scandal can call into question years of reputational work.