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 · Metz, Moselle
Noa
She thought she was too short to model. At 19, between her nursing studies and a first magazine cover, she decided to knock on every door.
Text The info-shooting editorial team
Photos Whoisgysl · Nao_lyfe · Michel Fouarge and others (see the gallery)
Based on articles published by info-lux.com from 2023 to 2025
Noa was 19 when info-lux.com met her in March 2023. She describes herself as “bold and passionate”.
At the time, she was studying at the IFSI nursing school in Thionville and had served for a while as a volunteer firefighter in her home region. Alongside this, she works as a photographic model.
As a child, she already spent her time changing clothes and putting together her own looks. She would sometimes even throw a tantrum when her mother chose her clothes for her.
It all started on Instagram
She showcases her outfits on Instagram, then on TikTok, reaching thousands of people. Brands notice her and offer collaborations. Then come the photographers, who ask her to pose for them: Quaranta Photo, Nao_lyfe and Whoisgysl.
Then one day my mother signed me up for a casting for Janette magazine. I passed the casting and ended up on the cover of the October 2022 issue.
Noa
Shortly before we met, she also went to the casting for the Notoysmodelsagency modelling agency, held at the Muse shopping centre in Metz.
“Too short”, she thought
For a long time, Noa thought the job wasn’t for her.
For a long time I thought I couldn’t be a model because of physical criteria such as height, complexion and perfect measurements. But now I understand. I think beauty is also on the inside, and that above all you need personality to stand out.
Noa
It is even what drives her in front of the camera: “People need to identify with someone, with something, and that can help them feel better in their own skin.”
Clothing as a language
Fashion was her way into photography. She has been putting together her own looks since childhood; in front of the camera, they become her way of expressing who she is.
For me, clothing is more than just something to wear; it’s something that defines me. Through the way I dress, I can show what I want of myself.
Noa
Feet on the ground
Why keep up her nursing studies? She speaks of a “deep need to make myself useful, to help others”, and of a modelling career she knows is “uncertain”. She also calls herself stubborn: once she sets her mind on achieving something, she does everything to get there.
If a door closes, I knock on the next one, and the next, until a door opens.
Noa
The dream: film
What if an agency spots her? “Advertising!” she replies. Her dream goes further: “Being involved in a film project would be a dream come true.” In 2023, she is already practising writing and improvisation.
Since then? From magazine pages to the runner-up sash
Doors kept opening. In early 2024, Noa was one of the six finalists in the “Les lectrices” contest, organised by info-lux.com, Beauty Events and the e-magazine More Followers: six contestants photographed by Michel Fouarge and coached by choreographer Nanda, in Luxembourg. The magazine nicknamed her “L’audacieuse” (the daring one) and devoted two series to her, “Dentelle rebelle” and “La princesse et les oiseaux de papier”.
I chose to take part in the Infolux photo competition because I was inspired by Michel Fouarge's work and wanted to seize the opportunity to appear in a well-known magazine.
Noa, in More Followers (2024)
In January 2025, aged 21, she enters Miss Élégance Nationale Lorraine under her full name, Noa Hamama, as contestant no. 4. She then lives in Elzange, in Moselle. Still a student nurse, she is also a volunteer firefighter and photo model, and chooses to champion the fight against school bullying.
On 18 January 2025, at the château de Nilvange, Carla Mastrorillo is crowned Miss Élégance Nationale Lorraine 2025. Noa Hamama is her first runner-up, ahead of Cécile Ponzellini, second runner-up.
Be yourselves and don’t be afraid to give it a go. Miss pageants aren’t only about looks: they are also a great opportunity to push yourself, stand up for your values and inspire others.
Noa Hamama, January 2025
A few months later, More Followers caught up with her and the Lorraine Misses for a fashion shoot at Maison Heler, in Metz. She was then in her third and final year of nursing studies.
Next comes carrying on combining heart and elegance, between the white coat and photo shoots. And why not aim even higher…
Noa Hamama, 2025
Noa in the media
Cover, interviews, fashion series, pageant: her published appearances since 2022, from oldest to most recent.
· Magazine Janette
The cover of the October issue
Through a casting her mother had signed her up for. She tells the story in her March 2023 interview.
· info-lux.com
Metz > Photo model > Noa
The portrait interview this article is based on. Photos by Whoisgysl and Nao_lyfe.
· More Followers × info-lux.com
The readers: six readers in a fashion shoot in Luxembourg with Michel Fouarge
The contest’s “L’audacieuse” finalist: a quick-fire interview and two fashion series.
· info-lux.com
Elzange > Miss > Noa Hamama
Her contestant profile for Miss Élégance Nationale Lorraine, by Teddy Clausse.
· info-lux.com
Lorraine > Miss Élégance Nationale
The first rehearsals in Nilvange and the presentation of the contestants. Portraits by Michel Fouarge.
· info-lux.com
Nilvange > Miss Élégance Nationale Lorraine 2025
Report on the 18 January 2025 pageant: Noa Hamama first runner-up. Photos by 2 La X Photographie.
· More Followers × info-lux.com
Miss at the Maison Heler in Metz
The fashion shoot of the Lorraine Misses in the Philippe Starck-designed hotel, and her interview as first runner-up.
Noa’s gallery
Tap or click a photo to open it full size, then scroll through with the arrows, the keyboard or by swiping.
2023 · Starting out, in Metz
2024 · More Followers, “Les lectrices”
2025 · Miss Élégance Nationale Lorraine
Model profile, with photo shoots from 2023 and 2025: Noa Hamama 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): Metz > Photo model > NOA (March 2023) and the articles in the strip above.
Sources: portrait and interview published by info-lux.com on 7 March 2023; info-lux.com and More Followers articles from 2024 and 2025. Each photo is credited in its caption.
