Alves made her catwalk debut at the Miss Ingombota competition in 2009. She had never dreamed of becoming a model, but applied to gain some experience after the encouragement of family and friends. The competition was her modelling debut.[1] She was successful, winning the title and subsequently the title of Miss Luanda, making her eligible to be one of the 24 competitors for the title of Miss Angola 2009.[2]
At the pageant in December 2008, held at the Atlântico cinema, she was named Miss Angola and the successor to Lesliana Pereira. Her prize package included a Volkswagen Gol, $3000 and a white gold diamond ring. This victory qualified Alves for the following Miss Universe competition.[2]
Alves travelled to the Bahamas to be with the other competitors for Miss Universe 2009 around a month prior to the start of the competition, with the aim to build a rapport with the other competitors and organisers, and find motivation to win. In a press release, the Miss Angola Committee wished Alves luck, and hoped that she would better the sixth place achieved in Miss Universe 2006 by Micaela Reis.[3] Alves failed to place in the top fifteen competitors.[4]