Meet the Russian ‘Ken’: Airport Guard Goes from Security to Luxury Fashion

Ignatiy Lantsov, a security guard at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport whose photographs went viral on social media, has signed a contract with the modeling agency Open Up Models Management, according to ufa1.ru. In the past month, numerous modeling agencies reached out to him, including the renowned New York–based Soul Artist Management. However, he chose to sign with a Moscow company, where he will promote luxury goods under the condition that no overly revealing photos or videos of him will be used in campaigns. From Ufa to the Spotlight The 23-year-old from Ufa moved to Moscow as a schoolboy. After serving in the army, he joined the Rapid Response Team at Vnukovo Airport. His life changed overnight when a video featuring him garnered millions of views online. Admirers on social media dubbed him the “Ken” of Russia for his model-like features—brown eyes, thick eyebrows, and an athletic build maintained through regular workouts. His sudden fame brought him hundreds of fans. Young women began filming videos with him, approaching to chat or get acquainted, while modeling agencies vied for his attention.