Ever wonder what it’s like being a successful model while dating one of the NBA’s biggest stars? Laura Ivaniukas has been turning heads both on runways and courtside, but there’s way more to her story than just being D’Angelo Russell’s girlfriend. She’s built her own empire while raising two kids and supporting her partner’s basketball career.
You’ve probably seen her stunning photos on Instagram or caught glimpses of her at NBA games, but Laura’s journey from a small town in Canada to becoming a recognized face in fashion is pretty incredible. Let me walk you through everything you need to know about this Lithuanian-Canadian model who’s redefining what it means to be an athlete’s partner in 2025.
Bio/Wiki About Laura Ivaniukas
| Facts | Details |
| Full Name | Laura Ivaniukas |
| Birthday | May 9, 1999 (Age 26) |
| Birthplace | Oakville, Ontario, Canada |
| Height | 5 feet 10 inches |
| Parents | Linas and Milena Ivaniukas |
| Siblings | Regis and Matas Ivaniukas |
| Partner | D’Angelo Russell (NBA player) |
| Children | Riley Jonas Russell, Mila-Rose Russell |
| Primary Agency | Option 1 Models (Chicago) |
| @laura.iva (55K followers) | |
| Net Worth | $150,000 – $300,000 |
| Languages | English, Lithuanian |
Personal Background & Early Life
Laura’s story starts in Oakville, Ontario, where she was born on May 9, 1999, to parents Linas and Milena Ivaniukas. Growing up in this quiet Canadian town with her two brothers, Regis and Matas Ivaniukas, Laura had no idea she’d one day be walking fashion week runways. Her family’s Lithuanian heritage played a huge role in shaping who she is today – and fun fact, this connection might even help D’Angelo potentially play for the Lithuanian national basketball team. (SportsKeeda)
Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall with striking blue-green eyes and blonde hair, Laura had the natural look that modeling agencies dream about. She wasn’t one of those kids who always dreamed of being a model though. She was actually focused on her studies at St. Ignatius of Loyola Secondary School before life took an interesting turn.
What makes Laura special is her ability to stay connected to her roots while building an international career. Being fluent in English and Lithuanian has opened doors in the fashion world that many models never get access to. Her multicultural background gives her this unique appeal that brands absolutely love.
Laura Ivaniukas Professional Modeling Career
Laura’s modeling journey is way more impressive than people realize. She’s not just signed with one agency – she’s got representation with some of the biggest names in the business. Option 1 Models in Chicago is her main agency, but she’s also worked with Elite Model Management in Miami, B&M Model Management in Toronto, Nomad in Los Angeles, and even Wonderwall in Milan.
Her runway experience includes major shows like the Lounge Swimwear Fashion Show and Mare Miami Swim Week back in 2019. By 2020, she was walking for Fernando Alberto Atelier Resort, proving she could handle high-end fashion just as well as swimwear. But here’s where it gets really exciting – Laura became a Sports Illustrated model.
Getting featured in Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit edition is like winning the lottery in the modeling world. She’s also worked with VICHI Swim, building a solid reputation in the swimwear modeling world that pays really well. Laura’s smart about her career too – she’s not just taking any job that comes along.
Laura Ivaniukas Relationship with D’Angelo Russell
Here’s a love story that sounds like it came straight out of a movie. Laura and D’Angelo Russell first met at New York Fashion Week – talk about a perfect setting for a model to meet her future partner! But get this – Laura admits she “didn’t take him seriously” at first. Can you imagine not being impressed by an NBA star? (EssentiallySports)
D’Angelo had to work for it, and he’s admitted publicly that he made the first move. Their relationship became Instagram official in June 2020 when Laura posted photos of them together on vacation at Lake Cumberland in Kentucky. The timing was perfect – they got to spend quality time together during the pandemic when both their careers slowed down.
Her appreciation for D’Angelo shines through in her Instagram post: “Happy Birthday to my best friend & loml 🤎 Can’t imagine life without you! We love you more than you know xx“
What I love about their relationship is how supportive they are of each other’s careers. Laura’s constantly at NBA games, cheering from the sidelines, but she never lost her own identity. When D’Angelo got traded to the Brooklyn Nets in December 2024 (along with Maxwell Lewis and three draft picks for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton), Laura showed incredible support for the move.
Laura Ivaniukas Motherhood & Family Life
Becoming a mom changed everything for Laura, but in the best possible way. Their first child, Riley Jonas Russell, was born on September 24, 2022, weighing 8.4 pounds. (People)
Laura’s Instagram post announcing his birth was so sweet – she wrote about their:
“Riley Jonas Russell 🤍 09•24•22 our 8.4lb sweet little bundle of joy, I love you unconditionally.”.
Then came baby number two – Mila-Rose Russell was born on August 9, 2024. Laura was super honest about how her second pregnancy was tougher than her first. She shared her struggles on social media, which I think is amazing because it shows other moms that it’s okay to admit when things are hard. Before her arrival, Laura celebrated with:
“Showered our baby girl with so much love 💕 we can’t wait for you!!”
The birth announcement was equally touching:
“Mila-Rose Russell 🤍🌹 08-09-2024. We love you endlessly.”
Watching Laura balance motherhood with her career is pretty inspiring. She brings the kids to NBA games, shares family moments on social media, but still maintains boundaries about their privacy. The way she documents her pregnancy journey and motherhood experience feels genuine – she’s not trying to make everything look perfect.
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Business Ventures & Entrepreneurship
This is where Laura really impresses me. She’s not content just being a model – she’s built multiple income streams that have nothing to do with D’Angelo’s basketball career. Laura is a certified holistic nutritionist and health and wellness coach, which shows she’s serious about building expertise in areas she’s passionate about.
Back in January 2021, she launched Project Y, a fitness challenge she developed with fitness expert Bryan Chang. This wasn’t just some celebrity cash grab – she actually put in the work to create something valuable. Laura’s been sharing boxing workouts and fitness content on YouTube for years, building credibility in the wellness space.
Her announcement showed her excitement by posting caption:
“PROJECT Y: REGISTRATION IS OFFICIALLY OPEN!! Soo excited to finally bring this to you guys, after weeks of putting our all into this challenge it’s finally timeeee!! Let’s put 2020 behind us, focus on our health & get fit together!!”
Here’s something most people don’t know – Laura is also a licensed real estate agent in Miami. Real estate is serious business, and getting licensed requires study, testing, and ongoing education. She combines her modeling experience with her nutrition certification to create content that actually helps people. (News.Amomama)
Laura Ivaniukas Net Worth and Financial Profile
Let’s talk money – because everyone’s curious about Laura Ivaniukas net worth. Most estimates put her between $150,000 and $300,000 as of 2025, which might sound modest compared to D’Angelo’s NBA salary, but think about this differently. Laura built this wealth independently through her own work. (SportsKeeda)
Her income comes from multiple sources: modeling contracts, social media partnerships, her wellness coaching business, real estate work, and brand collaborations. That’s smart diversification that many influencers never figure out. The modeling industry pays well when you’re working with big brands like Sports Illustrated and walking in major fashion shows. (Ne)
What impresses me most is that Laura’s building wealth that doesn’t depend on D’Angelo’s career. Add in her social media influence with over 55K followers on Instagram, and brands are definitely paying for sponsored content. That’s the kind of financial independence that smart partners of professional athletes focus on.
Social Media Influence
Laura’s social media game is on point, but not in that fake influencer way that makes you want to roll your eyes. Her Instagram @laura.iva has the perfect bio: “Like Laura But Foreign” – it’s catchy, memorable, and shows personality. With 55K followers, she’s built a loyal audience that actually engages with her content.
What sets Laura apart is her content strategy. She shares family lifestyle content, behind-the-scenes NBA content, fitness tips, and modeling work, but it never feels forced or overly promotional. Her TikTok presence is growing too, and she’s been smart about creating YouTube content around fitness and wellness.
The brand partnerships she’s landing show that companies see real value in working with her. Laura’s audience trusts her recommendations because she’s not promoting everything under the sun – she picks partnerships that make sense for her brand.
Current Life & Recent Developments
Life in 2025 looks pretty amazing for Laura. The family recently adjusted to D’Angelo’s trade to the Brooklyn Nets, which meant relocating and getting settled in a new city. With two young kids – Riley Jonas Russell is now 2 years old and Mila-Rose Russell is just months old – Laura’s in full mom mode while still maintaining her career.
She’s been sharing how she manages travel for work with babies, which is incredibly helpful content for other working moms. Her modeling career is still going strong, though she’s obviously more selective about projects now that she has two little ones. The wellness side of her business keeps growing too, building something that can grow for decades.
Laura’s Career Highlights:
- Sports Illustrated swimsuit model
- Walked Mare Miami Swim Week multiple times
- Works with agencies in 6 different cities
- Licensed real estate agent in Miami
- Certified holistic nutritionist and wellness coach
- Created Project Y fitness challenge with Bryan Chang
Family Milestones:
- Met D’Angelo at New York Fashion Week
- Went Instagram official in June 2020
- Welcomed son Riley in September 2022
- Welcomed daughter Mila-Rose in August 2024
- Supported D’Angelo’s trade to Brooklyn Nets
FAQ’s About Laura Ivaniukas
How did Laura Ivaniukas meet D’Angelo Russell?
They met at New York Fashion Week, where D’Angelo made the first move, though Laura initially didn’t take him seriously.
What is Laura Ivaniukas’ net worth in 2025?
Her estimated net worth is between $150,000-$300,000 from modeling, social media, wellness coaching, and real estate work.
How many children do Laura and D’Angelo have?
They have two children: son Riley Jonas Russell (born September 2022) and daughter Mila-Rose Russell (born August 2024).
What modeling agencies represent Laura Ivaniukas?
Her main agency is Option 1 Models in Chicago, but she also works with Elite Model Management, B&M Model Management, and others.
Is Laura Ivaniukas more than just a model?
Yes, she’s a certified holistic nutritionist, wellness coach, and licensed real estate agent in Miami with multiple income streams.
What’s Laura’s Instagram handle?
Her Instagram is @laura.iva with over 55K followers and the bio “Like Laura But Foreign.”
Where is Laura Ivaniukas from originally?
She was born in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, and comes from a Lithuanian-Canadian family.
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Conclusion
Laura Ivaniukas represents what modern partnership looks like in professional sports. She’s not just sitting in the stands looking pretty – she’s building her own empire, raising two kids, and supporting her partner’s career all at the same time. Her story shows that you can maintain your identity and build financial independence even when you’re dating someone famous.
What impresses me most about Laura is her authenticity. In a world full of fake influencers and people trying to get famous just for being famous, she’s actually built real skills and multiple careers. As D’Angelo’s NBA career continues and their family grows, I’m excited to see how Laura’s own ventures develop at just 26 years old.
Disclaimer: This comprehensive profile is based on publicly available information, official social media accounts, and news sources.
John Smith is a sports writer at Sportszill.com with over 5 years of experience covering professional athletics. He specializes in player profiles and sports news across NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and other major leagues. John holds a degree in Sports Journalism and has written for multiple sports publications. He is passionate about bringing fans closer to their favorite athletes through accurate reporting and engaging storytelling.
