How Victoria's Secret Angel Lais Ribeiro went from a teen mother to a model

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The 24-year-old was named one of the ten new Victoria's Secret Angels in April
She grew up in a remote area of Brazil and barely spoke English when she started her career as an 18-year-old mother-of-one
Lais has walked the runway for the likes of Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs in addition to posing for international fashion magazines

Published: 11:06 EST, 16 July 2015 | Updated: 15:26 EST, 16 July 2015

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Brazilian model and newly minted Victoria's Secret Angel Lais Ribeiro has walked the catwalk for the likes of Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs, but the stunning beauty's rise to international fame has been anything typical.

The 24-year-old was one of ten models to earn their 'wings' and be named as one of Victoria's Secret’s new Angels this spring, but Lais, who has a seven-year-old son named Alexandre, was born a world away from the bright lights of the fashion industry, in Teresina, Piauí, and grew up in a remote rural town in Brazil – never considering becoming a model until she was an 18-year-old mother of one.

Images from Lais' personal photo collection, which include snapshots from her childhood, document how she went from a fresh-faced tomboy, and a teenage mother, to one of the most sought-after models in the world.

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Amazing honor: Brazilian model Lais Ribeiro earned her 'wings' and was named one of ten new Victoria's Secret Angels

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Rising star: Lais was a shy tomboy who never considered being a model until she was 18-years-old

And while it seems nearly impossible to not immediately notice Lais, who is 5'11" and gorgeous in every way, the star was not spotted and recruited by an agency as a teen like most models.

Lais' childhood friend Iara Melo says that she recalled thinking that her friend would be a natural on the runway, however, the brunette shied away from the suggestion until she was in search of a new job.

And when Lais finally got involved with the industry – her first few jobs were a far cry from the glamor of the catwalk; the agent who discovered her said Lais was actually rejected by a local fashion shows because she wasn't curvy enough. Instead, they had her handing out flyers.

Lais Ribeiro stars in the Victoria's Secret Swim 2015 campaign

Minor snafu: Lais, pictured walking for the lingerie brand in 2011, became the first Victoria's Secret model to be announced for a show and fail to appear in 2012 after she had sprained her ankle

Exotic beauty: The 24-year-old has been working with the brand since 2010 and can be seen strutting down the runway at the Victoria's Secret shows in 2013 (left) and 2014 (right)

Young mom: The mother-of-one has a seven-year-old son Alexandre (pictured) who she gave birth to when she was a teenager

When she finally got her big break thanks to a national competition, Lais had to make the difficult decision between starting her illustrious fashion career or staying with her close-knit family in Brazil.

Lais, who barely spoke a word of English at the time, chose to fight for a better future for her and her family by moving to New York and embarking on what would soon prove to be an incredibly successful international career.

The model made her runway debut at Rag and Bone's Fall 2010 show during New York Fashion Week before strutting down the catwalk at Roberto Cavalli, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Dolce & Gabbana, and Versace in Milan.

Fresh-faced: Lais, pictured at age eight, grew up in remote rural town in Brazil with her close-knit family

Height advantage: Lais, who is 5'11", was tall at a young age, her friend Iara Melo recalled seeing the leggy beauty in class and immediately thinking she would a natural on the runway

Ironically, during her first season on the runway Lais was praised for being 'curvaceous', with New York Magazine noting in 2010 that her 'athletic build is much-welcome change to her (still) emaciated Eastern European counterparts'.

Lais also walked in the 2010 and 2011 Victoria's Secret fashion shows. And while she was scheduled to appear in the 2012 show, she became the first Victoria's Secret model to be announced for a show and fail to appear. It was later revealed that she had sprained her ankle, and Lais was back on the brand's runway the next year.

This year, Lais has joined Kate Grigorieva, Taylor Hill, Elsa Hosk, Martha Hunt, Jac Jagaciak, Stella Maxwell, Sara Sampaio, Romee Strijd, and Jasmine Tookes as the brand's newest class of Angels.

Victoria's Secret star Lais Ribeiro plays with son in the pool

Vacation time: Lais is pictured relacing in a blue bikini as she enjoyed a drink garnished with watermelon during a holiday in Mexico

Picture perfect: Lais struck a pose in a black bikini as she balanced on a paddle board

Fit model: In addition to paddle boarding, the model likes to stay active, practicing boxing, yoga and salsa dancing regularly

And after the exciting news was announced in April, the Brazilian catwalker gushed about how the brand helped foster her career.

'VS has supported me from the beginning. They have instilled confidence, hope, and a strong business sense,' she told Us Weekly. 'When you work this closely with a brand you get a chance to understand a completely different side of the business; it's inspired me to look at my opportunity differently.'

Not surprisingly, Lais named fellow Brazilians Adriana Lima and Gisele Bundchen as her favorite Angels, although Gisele parted ways with the brand in 2007.

Daredevil: Lais can be seen giving the peace sign before embarking on a motorcycle ride in Paris

As fate would have it: Lais didn't consider becoming a model until she was an 18-year-old mother-of-one (pictured), who needed a new job

First rejection: Lais, who is pictured at her first modeling agency, Milayne, was once told that she wasn't curvy enough to appear in local fashion shows

Not-so-secret admirer: One of Lais' many fan had the model's beautiful face tattooed to his arm (pictured)

'It truly is a dream come true!' she said of becoming an Angel.

However, despite her massive success, which includes a fan tattooing her face to his arm, Lais, who is dating professional basketball player Jared Homan, is still down-to-earth - even taking the bus when she is visiting her hometown.

And while she loves to stay active with boxing, volleyball, soccer, and salsa dancing, she also credited her son for helping her maintain her flawless physique.

Stunning couple: Lais and her boyfriend Jared Homan, who is a professional basketball player, posed for this sweet photo while visiting Piauí, Brazil

Off the runway: Lais looked gorgeous in a blue gown at the amfAR Gala in New York in February (left), while she opted for a leather ensemble in Paris in 2013 (left)

Model friends: Fellow Angels Martha Hunt (left) and Elsa Hosk (right) joined Lais at the Victoria's Secret Angels' Charity Ride For Pelotonia at SoulCycle in New York City last week

'I am constantly changing my exercise routines. It can be anything from boxing to yoga,' Lais explained. 'But I also have a seven-year-old son, and keeping up with him is a workout.'

In addition to her success on the runway and work with Victoria's Secret, Lais has appeared in numerous ad campaigns for famous designers and retail giants such as Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford, Gap and American Eagle.

And she has also posed for international editions of Vogue, Elle and Harper's Bazaar, recently scoring the June 2015 cover of Elle Italy.