Michels started modeling in 1997 with the Mega Agency, when she was introduced to the owners by a friend. She has appeared in catalogs for Victoria's Secret and Le Lis Blanc, a noted Brazilian clothing company, as well as Calvin Klein advertisements. She has also appeared in ads for companies like Burberry, Giorgio Armani, Louis Vuitton, Macy's, Nike, and Tommy Hilfiger, and has graced the covers of multiple international editions of Vogue.