Waiting in line at the post office is usually a drag—unless you're Noémie Lenoir and a Ford Model scout wanders in. That fateful errand forever changed the life of the Versailles-born 16-year-old, as she quickly landed jobs in Paris for Ralph Lauren and Marie Claire.

Stunning Noémie, born on September 19, 1979, completed her studies and polished her English before heading to the States in 1999. With self-assured confidence, Noémie almost immediately hit the catwalk upon her arrival in New York. In one runway run-in with antifur activists, Noémie kept on moving, never missing a beat. Her exotic look became the focus of campaigns for megabrands like Gap, H&M, Tommy Hilfiger, and Victoria's Secret.

The sexy, six-time Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition model began her foray into acting in 2002, playing a courtesan in Astérix & Obélix: Mission Cléopâtre. She also appeared in After the Sunset, and more recently received rave reviews as Genevieve in Rush Hour 3.

The face of L'Oréal values the importance of giving back to the community and has a soft spot for the environment. As a spokesperson for the World Wildlife Fund, Noémie takes an active role in the preservation of the French Islands. In her spare time, this anti-diva (Noémie thinks diva behavior from models is a thing of the past) enjoys spending time with her son, Kelyan, and her husband, French soccer player Claude Makelele, and listening to oldies and practicing yoga. The international family splits its time between New York, London, and Paris.