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Alves left Brazil when she was 15 years old to pursue a career in modeling in the United States.

On her website, she writes about how she took on many jobs to earn money upon arriving in the U.S. While doing everything from waiting tables to cleaning houses to modeling gigs, she also took English classes.

In Alves' announcement in August 2015 revealing she earned United States citizenship, she talked about how much the moment meant to her.

\"It is with great pride and honor that I am happy to say I now hold an American passport!\" she said. \"I have so much respect and appreciation for this country.\"

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