Michelle rose to fame by winning the inaugural Sports Illustrated Fresh Face Contest in 2004, and she is a swimsuit model for Sports Illustrated's calendars and magazines. Lombardo is also an athlete, competing in swimming, volleyball, and soccer in high school and in local organizations. She has a role in the films Click and All In.
She starred in a Suzuki Forenza commercial where she changes from her work clothes into athletic wear while riding in a full elevator, appearing to be naked in front of people without a care. She then gets into a Suzuki driven by a friend, with the two of them headed out to do some biking together.