Shelby Welinder GTA 5: The Model Behind the Face of GTA 5

If you are a GTA 5 player, you undoubtedly have seen that blonde woman posing for a selfie, flashing a peace sign at you. That pretty, bikini-clad girl has come to be known as the new face of the franchise despite not having an active role within the game.

After the game first came out in September of 2013, there was buzz surrounding who this gorgeous gal was in real life. Was she based on Lindsay Lohan, or perhaps on the popular model Kate Upton?

Nope! Her name is Shelby Welinder, and while she is used to being labeled as “the beautiful woman,” there is more to her than just a pretty face.

Also check out: GTA 5 story mode

Wait, that’s not Lindsay Lohan?!

Lindsay Lohan actually attempted to sue Rockstar Games, believing they used her likeness without her permission. She claimed that the character of Lacey Jones (the blonde bombshell in a bikini) was a ripoff of her image and even her voice.

The case got thrown out as there was no evidence Rockstar had intentionally used her likeness. Judge Eugene Fahey ruled that the “artistic renderings are indistinct, satirical representations of the style, look, and persona of a modern, beach-going young woman… that is not recognisable as [the] plaintiff.”

Wait, that’s not Kate Upton?!

There was also some speculation that Lacey’s character design was based on busty bikini model Kate Upton. While Upton didn’t seem nearly as upset by the likeness as Lohan, there was an undeniable likeness.

However, Rockstar came out and said that the model behind Lacey’s was Shelby Welinder.

Shelby Welinder GTA 5: Who is she?

Born on September 17, 1992 in Los Angeles, California, Shelby Welinder was scouted by a talent agency at the age of 15-years-old. After signing with a talent agency, Welinder found herself getting minor roles in projects, such as Inside Amy Schumer in 2013, in which she played a model being interviewed by Amy Schumer herself. She even has a producer’s credit to her name.

As of 2022, Welinder is working as a successful freelance journalist. She has had her work published on a variety of media sites, including Medium, New York Daily News, Yahoo India, Business Insider, HuffPost UK, and City Limits. Some of her most engaging articles include “How young creatives in Kyiv are adapting to their wartime reality” and “Everyday People Who Are Extraordinarily Good At Providing Emotional Support”.

That’s right, Welinder isn’t just pretty, she’s pretty darned smart and socially conscious!

Why did Rockstar Games hire Welinder?

Welinder was hired by Rockstar in 2012 via her modeling agency. Shelby confirmed this, but also said to Nowgamer in 2012, “It’s nice to see all these people referring to me as a porn star and a slut. Quite entertaining to say the least. I worked for Rockstar and signed a release that said I’d be listed in the game credits.”

To prove it, she posted a Vine image showing her paycheck from Rockstar, with the caption “Another day, another dollar.” Take that, Reddit sleuths!

Also read: Everything You Need to Know About ATMs in GTA 5

Shelby Welinder GTA 5 is the model behind the loading screen image of Lacey, but there’s so much more to her than just beauty. This gal has serious brains and a big heart. Look up her articles and see for yourself!

You should also check out: Who plays Trevor in GTA 5?