Born on February 14, 1985, in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Russia, Natalya Rudakova is best known for her "Cinderella story" discovery and her breakout role as Valentina in the action thriller Transporter 3 (2008). Growing up in post-Soviet Russia, she moved to New York City with her mother at age 17, where she began working as a hairdresser. Her life changed when she was spotted by legendary filmmaker Luc Besson while crossing a street; impressed by her striking red hair, blue eyes, and freckles, Besson invited her to audition and paid for her acting lessons. Following her debut alongside Jason Statham, Rudakova appeared in several independent films, including The One (2011), Waiting for a Train (2014), and the crime thriller DieRy (2020). While she maintains a private life, she has continued to balance occasional acting roles with her interests in fashion and photography, remaining a recognizable figure for her unique look and sudden rise to Hollywood fame.