Yael Shelbia

Yael Shelbia is an Israeli model and actress. Born in 2001, she first made her mark in fashion with campaigns for Israeli brands Castro and Renuar. By 2020, she had been named the Most Beautiful Woman in the World by the TC Candler list, a ranking that drew international attention. She has since expanded into acting, with roles in the series Palmach and the film Rising.

Shelbia's public identity is closely tied to her observant Jewish faith, which she has spoken about openly. She served in the Israel Defense Forces while building her modeling career. As of 2026, she continues to model and act, with the film Dream High on the horizon. Her relationship with Formula One driver Lance Stroll has made her a fixture in sports and entertainment headlines. [edit]

Yael Shelbia Cohen grew up in Nahariya, a coastal city in northern Israel. Raised in an observant Jewish household, she has described herself as a religious person from an early age. She completed her mandatory military service in the Israel Defense Forces, a requirement for Israeli citizens, while simultaneously pursuing modeling. The balancing act was demanding, but she has spoken about the pride she takes in serving her country.

Her entry into modeling came through Israeli fashion brands. In 2017, she began working with Castro, one of Israel's leading clothing labels, and the following year she became a prominent face for Renuar. These early campaigns gave her visibility within the Israeli fashion scene and laid the groundwork for international opportunities. Details about her schooling are scarce, but her early career was marked by a rapid rise from local campaigns to a global ranking. [edit]

Shelbia's breakthrough came in 2020 when the TC Candler and Independent Critics list ranked her the Most Beautiful Woman in the World. At 19, she topped a list that included Gal Gadot at number 22, and the ranking generated coverage far beyond Israel. The same year, she appeared in the film Rising, her first notable acting credit.

In February 2021, she made history as the first Israeli model to appear on a UAE magazine cover, a milestone following the Abraham Accords. She called it a historical cover and a personal honor. Her acting career continued with a role in the Israeli television series Palmach on Teen Nick. More recently, she has been attached to the film Dream High, scheduled for release in 2026. She is represented by multiple agencies, including IT Models, VNY Models, and Metropolitan Models, and continues to work with Renuar, which brought in French actor Lucas Bravo for a campaign in early 2026. [edit]

Shelbia's public image is defined by her striking features and her unusual-for-the-industry openness about her faith. She served in the IDF while modeling, which Israeli media covered extensively. Her content on TikTok is largely makeup-focused, and she has described herself as obsessed with makeup application. In the tabloid press, she has been cast as a power couple figure during her relationships, most recently as Formula 1's newest WAG. Fans engage with her through Instagram, where her follower count exceeds 1.4 million, and her posts mix professional campaigns, personal moments, and beauty content. [edit]

Yael Shelbia commands a distinct global footprint where international fashion cycles intersect with the unique narrative of an Israeli soldier turned beauty icon. Her fame is anchored by a verified triumph in late 2020, when she topped the TC Candler list as the Most Beautiful Woman in the World at age 19, surpassing established stars like Gal Gadot. This achievement remains the central pillar of her public legacy, drawing attention from major outlets like Maxim and L'Officiel USA. In August 2026, the iFANN Global Fame Engine evaluated her standing and determined that she currently holds no placement within the published rankings, meaning she does not appear in the Global Top 1,000 or any specific scope list. While her social media presence is robust, with nearly 409,700 followers on TikTok and approximately one million on Instagram, these figures represent a digital audience rather than an organized movement. There is no documented fandom name for her supporters; unlike celebrities with dedicated clubs featuring specific rituals or chants, her fans engage primarily through standard platform interactions. The lack of fan-funded campaigns or internal mythology suggests her influence stems from her modeling status and personal brand rather than a participatory subculture.[edit]

Shelbia's TikTok bio reveals a deep passion for cosmetics, stating she is obsessed with doing her makeup, a theme that dominates her content. Her Instagram profile features the playful phrase Don't have your Shelbia Doll?, a reference that has never been officially explained. She stands 175 cm tall with blue eyes and brown hair, wearing a US shoe size 8. In 2026, she was spotted posing with Kylie Jenner at a West Hollywood party. Her legend is anchored by a verified triumph: in late 2020, at age 19, she topped the TC Candler list as the Most Beautiful Woman in the World, surpassing major stars like Gal Gadot. Another defining chapter occurred when she became the first Israeli model to appear on the cover of a UAE magazine in December 2020, framing the moment as a peace initiative while highlighting her identity as a religious Jewish IDF soldier. These events form the core of her public narrative, distinguishing her from peers through her unique blend of faith, military service, and global recognition.[edit]

Shelbia was raised in Nahariya in an observant Jewish family. She has a brother, though his name has not been widely reported. Her family remains based in Israel. She has not shared extensive details about her parents or household, but her religious upbringing has been a consistent theme in her public statements. As of 2026, she has no children. [edit]

Shelbia has been romantically linked to Canadian Formula One driver Lance Stroll, Israeli singer Omer Adam, and American billionaire heir Brandon Korff. She has also been photographed with Kylie Jenner, and her modeling work has connected her to French actor Lucas Bravo. Fellow Israeli model Gal Gadot ranked lower on the same TC Candler list that put Shelbia at number one. [edit]

Shelbia's dating history has attracted tabloid attention. In 2020, she was linked to Brandon Korff, an American billionaire heir who was expelled from Israel for breaking coronavirus quarantine rules. He had entered the country to visit his brother in the IDF but was found to have spent time with Shelbia instead of isolating. The relationship did not last long.

From around 2022 to 2023, she dated Omer Adam, one of Israel's most famous singers. The couple was dubbed an Israeli power couple. In October 2023, she posted a birthday message to him on Instagram, referencing plans that had taken an unexpected turn due to the Israel–Hamas war. That relationship eventually ended.

As of 2026, she is dating Canadian Formula One driver Lance Stroll. The relationship became public in 2025, and she has been described as Formula 1's newest WAG. Reports in August 2026 noted that her potential visit to the Malaysian Grand Prix would depend on which passport she used, given Malaysia's restrictions on Israeli passports. [edit]

Shelbia's net worth is not publicly documented by any major financial outlet. Her primary income comes from modeling campaigns with Israeli brands like Castro and Renuar, as well as international assignments through agencies such as IT Models, VNY Models, and Metropolitan Models. Acting roles have added to her earnings, though her filmography remains limited. Per iFANN's editorial analysis, as of 2026, her estimated net worth sits at around $4 million. She has not reported major endorsements, business ventures, or real estate holdings.[edit]

Shelbia has not won traditional industry awards, but she received a notable honor in 2020 when TC Candler and Independent Critics named her the Most Beautiful Woman in the World. That ranking, which placed her above Gal Gadot, brought her international recognition. In 2021, she became the first Israeli model to appear on a UAE magazine cover, a distinction that marked a cultural milestone. [edit]