Meet 'Iron Man 2' Starlet Anya Monzikova

25 year-old Anya Monzikova is the blonde beauty currently appearing in "Iron Man 2," but you've probably seen her before.  Whether wielding a suitcase on "Deal or No Deal," posing for magazines like Maxim or dishing travel advice on the TV series "Let's Go!," the Russian-born actress is quickly rising through the Hollywood ranks.  Anya spoke to Fox411.com about her life in Hollywood, a wild fan proposal, embarrassing moments on TV, and practicing martial arts. Click through to find out more about the rising star. (REUTERS)

Anya appears in “Iron Man 2” (due out May 7th), in a climactic scene with Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, and Scarlett Johansson – the latter of whom relied on Anya’s native Russian skills to perform her lines to perfection at the behest of director Jon Favreau.   <b>"</b>It was a blast," Anya tells Fox411.com of filming the action movie. "I got to work with some amazing actors and a very wonderful director and even some of my girls from 'Deal or No Deal' were on set. So I had a GREAT time." (<a href="http://www.charleswilliambush.com">Charles William Bush</a>)

What was it like working with Robert Downey, Jr? "Amazing. Robert is great with improv and is a giving actor that let others improv with him as well. He is one of my favorite actors, so getting to share the screen with him was real treat." And of Gwyneth Paltrow, Anya tells Fox411.com that the actress is "really sweet and seems like a genuinely nice person." (<a href="http://www.charleswilliambush.com">Charles William Bush</a>)

Born in Russia and raised in Florida from the age of eight, Anya studied theater and film in high school and college, and began modeling as a way to enter the industry. Anya got has modeled lingerie for companies like Trashy Lingerie, Faris, and Dreamgirl. (<a href="http://www.charleswilliambush.com">Charles William Bush</a>)

Anya's come all the way from Vologda, Russia to Hollywood. "I try to go back once a year because I still have family there," Anya tells Fox411.com of visiting her native Russia. "I was there last July and am gonna try to go for New Years this year."   (<a href="http://www.charleswilliambush.com">Charles William Bush</a>)

Sorry, guys, Anya confides to Fox411 that she's engaged. "His name is Josh Fritts and he is a director of photography, not an actor; thank god!" (<a href="http://www.charleswilliambush.com">Charles William Bush</a>)

Cast member Anya poses at the premiere of the movie "Surrogates" in Hollywood on September 24, 2009.  (REUTERS)

The actress shows off a striking profile at the "Surrogates" premiere on September 24, 2009. But it's not all premieres and Hollywood events! "I have tons of hobbies," Anya tells Fox411. "I love to travel and experience different cultures. My fiance and I love to get away on the weekends, so we drive up to the wine country to relax. I love the outdoors, biking and hiking. I also love to dance. I enjoy the performing arts and theater so on weekends I try to catch a show." (REUTERS)

With an eye on landing more parts in action films – the Wushu-trained martial artist confesses she hopes to do parts where she can perform her own stunts and showcase her sword technique. (<a href="http://www.charleswilliambush.com">Charles William Bush</a>)

"I love the focus and drive it gives me," Anya tells Fox411 of practicing martial arts. "It also is a great way to stay in shape." (<a href="http://www.charleswilliambush.com">Charles William Bush</a>)

Anya arrives for the TV Guide Emmy Awards after party in Hollywood on September 21, 2008.  The actress had the chance to co-host the travel show “Get Out!,” so when she's not in glitzy gowns, she's in adventure gear. "You get to travel and do things you wouldn't normally do, like horseback ride in the jungle of Belize or cliff dive in Mexico," Anya tells Fox411. "I love to travel and that was definitely the best part." (REUTERS)

Anya was a “suitcase girl” on the game show "Deal or No Deal." Her favorite part of the experience? "The camaraderie between the girls," Anya tells Fox411. "I made some great friends being on the show. Also, having a steady job as an actor in LA was nice." (NBC) (© NBC Universal, Inc)

Anya has shot for magazines such as Maxim, FHM, Cosmopolitan, People, Vogue and Femme Fatale, so she's a recognizable face who's had "more than a few" weird fan encounters. "But the strangest would have to be when I went to Texas for an appearance and a guy proposed to me!," Anya tells Fox411. "He came up to me and got down on one knee with his mother next to him, that was in a wheel chair, and tried to give me a ring that was supposedly passed down through his family.. It was sooo crazy! I was like, 'GET UP! You don't even know me...'"<br><br> (NBC) (© NBC Universal, Inc)

Anya was the model next to briefcase #10. What was the funniest moment working on “Deal or No Deal?”<br> "Well, I think all the moments back stage," Anya tells Fox411. "The girls had a lot of down time, we had to entertain ourselves so we wouldn't fall asleep... we played games like 'would you rather.'" "In the beginning of the show we taped 3 episodes a day so we worked really long hours.. something like 19 hour days." (ABC)

"Once on 'Deal' I slipped and came crashing down the stairs during the opening of the show," Anya tells Fox411 of her most embarrassing TV moment. "But we were not live so, that obviously didn't make it to air. After 200 episodes, almost every girl had a moments like that!" (NBC) (© NBC Universal, Inc)

Anya had a co-starring role as Katarina on the television show "Cane." She's currently in the process of shooting the pilot for a comedy series. "We have shot a teaser and are going to continue shooting the pilot," the actress explains to Fox411. "Its a really funny comedy about two Russian girls that become good friends in film school and their adventures of breaking into the film industry. They remind me of Lucy and Ethel but young beautiful Russian girls." (NBC) (© NBC Universal, Inc)

In addition to her acting work, Anya is pursuing her dreams of working behind the camera, developing short projects as a writer and director.   What's next? "I would love to keep working in both film and television," Anya tells Fox411. "I am definitely looking for larger roles, to keep growing, and evolving. Who knows, I'm excited to see what comes next!" (NBC) (© NBC Universal, Inc)