Sarahléna Manise, Miss Namur contestant: “Behind the rain, there’s always sunshine”
Portraits Bullied at school, she went through eating disorders before regaining her confidence. Aged 18, a nursing student and Miss Namur contestant,…
Portrait · Haccourt, Province of Liège
Léna
Bullying, shyness, self-doubt: at 20, she chose to push herself and won the first runner-up sash at Miss Liège.
Text The info-shooting editorial team
Photos supplied by Léna Makoka
Based on the article published by info-lux.com in September 2023
Léna Makoka was 20 when info-lux.com featured her in September 2023. She grew up in Haccourt, a quiet village near Liège, and had just been named first runner-up in Miss Liège.
At the time she was a sales assistant and photo model, working in a field she loves deeply: fashion.
Going beyond one’s limits
Léna graduated from the Institut du Sacré-Cœur in Visé in June 2021. The road was not easy: bullying, self-doubt, the need to be accepted. Fighting through all of it is how she regained her self-confidence.
A shy young woman facing the photographers' flashes? What drives her is the urge to push herself.
I decided to sign up on a whim, without really knowing what to expect.
Léna Makoka, September 2023
The uncertain adventure soon becomes a personal quest, supported by her loved ones, and above all by her mother.
Challenging stereotypes
Léna wants to challenge preconceptions about the pageant.
Many people think being beautiful is enough, that the pageant favours Flemish women or that it's all about money.
Léna Makoka, September 2023
She thinks these clichés are wrong. She would rather remember something else about her time as a contestant.
Every day is a new adventure full of unimaginable opportunities.
Léna Makoka, September 2023
Rivals turned friends
Away from the spotlight, the pageant brought her together with the other candidates.
I have to say I’ve rarely met such exceptional young women.
Léna Makoka, September 2023
She talks about her fellow contestants: “They’ve become true friends. We support each other and want to go as far as possible in this competition.”
In September 2023, she is in the pre-selection stage and hopes to become a Miss Belgique 2024 finalist. For her, it would be “the culmination of months of personal commitment and a deep sense of achievement”.
Léna’s gallery
Tap or click a photo to open it full size, then scroll through with the arrows, the keyboard or by swiping.
2023 · In the studio
2023 · First runner-up, Miss Liège
2023 · Portrait
Model profile: Léna on info-shooting. To propose a photo shoot or casting, write to the editorial team, who will pass it on.
On info-lux.com (in French): Liège > Miss Belgique contestant > Léna Makoka (September 2023).
Sources: portrait published by info-lux.com on 26 September 2023. Each photo is credited in its caption.
