She was born in Athens, Greece to a Greek father and Irish mother. At the age of four they moved to Dublin, Ireland where she was raised in the suburb of Killiney. Salpa began modeling at 14 years old after being scouted in Ireland, and has undertaken modelling assignments for various publications. She has made TV appearances on such programmes as The Podge and Rodge Show, Republic of Telly, Celebrity Salon and Catwalk to Kilimanjaro. She played a role as herself on Republic of Telly. In August 2009 after posing in a bikini for a controversial photoshoot for Food & Wine magazine alongside chef Neven Maguire, the magazine apologised after complaints on Liveline.