Joan Smalls is a Puerto Rican supermodel and actress celebrated for her groundbreaking achievements, fierce runway presence, and trailblazing impact on diversity in fashion. Rising to prominence in the early 2010s, she made history as the first Latina model to represent Estée Lauder and has walked the runway for top fashion houses including Chanel, Versace, Givenchy, and Balmain. Regularly featured on major magazine covers and in global ad campaigns, Joan is known for her striking features, professionalism, and commanding presence. Beyond modeling, she uses her platform to advocate for racial equality and inclusion in the fashion industry, solidifying her status as both a style icon and a cultural influencer.
🌟 Joan Smalls Biography – Breaking Barriers with Beauty and Brains 🌟
👩 Introduction: Joan Smalls – A Runway Revolution in Motion ✨
Joan Smalls is a Puerto Rican supermodel, actress, and TV personality who has made history in the fashion industry as one of the first Latina models to dominate high fashion. Renowned for her sharp features, fierce runway walk, and empowering presence, she has worked with virtually every major designer and appeared on countless magazine covers. Joan isn’t just a fashion icon — she’s a role model, activist, and trailblazer who has redefined diversity in modeling on the global stage.
👩💼 Personal Profile
- Full Name: Joan Smalls Rodríguez
- Nickname: JoJo
- Date of Birth: July 11, 1988
- Age: 36 (as of 2025)
- Birthplace: Hatillo, Puerto Rico
- Zodiac Sign: Cancer
- Nationality: Puerto Rican / American
- Ethnicity: Afro-Latina (Puerto Rican, West Indian, Spanish, Indian, and Taino ancestry)
- Religion: Christianity
- Languages: English, Spanish
💼 Occupation
- Supermodel
- Actress
- Television Personality
- Philanthropist
- Brand Ambassador
📏 Physical Stats
- Height: 5 ft 10 in (179 cm)
- Weight: 52 kg (115 lbs)
- Eye Color: Hazel
- Hair Color: Dark Brown
- Shoe Size: 9 US
- Dress Size: 2 US
🔥 Figure Measurements
- Bust: 32 inches
- Waist: 24 inches
- Hips: 34 inches
- Build Type: Slim and Athletic
🎓 Education
- High School: Puerto Rico
- University: Interamerican University of Puerto Rico
- Degree: Bachelor’s in Psychology
- Modeling Training: Elite Model Management
👨👩👧 Family
- Father: Eric Smalls (West Indian, accountant)
- Mother: Betzaida Rodríguez (Puerto Rican, social worker)
- Siblings: Two sisters
- Marital Status: Unmarried
- Children: None
🎬 Career Highlights
- Modeling Debut: 2007 in New York
- Breakthrough Moment: Signed with Estée Lauder in 2011 (first Latina face of the brand)
- Runway Work: Walked for Chanel, Versace, Givenchy, Balmain, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Dior, and more
- Campaigns: Gucci, H&M, Givenchy, Fendi, Estée Lauder, Calvin Klein
- Victoria’s Secret: Walked in multiple Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows (2011–2016)
- TV Appearances:
- House of Style co-host
- Guest on RuPaul’s Drag Race
- Featured in Beyoncé’s Yoncé video
- Film: Set It Up (Netflix) cameo
🏆 Awards & Achievements
- Models.com: Ranked among Top 50 Models and Icons
- Forbes: Regularly listed in the “World’s Highest-Paid Models”
- Glamour Woman of the Year
- Breakthrough Model of the Year – Daily Front Row
- First Latina Estée Lauder Global Spokesmodel
- Advocate for BLM and diversity in fashion
❤️ Personal Life & Relationships
- Current Status: Reportedly single (as of 2025)
- Past Relationships: Dated model Bernard Smith
- Private Life: Focuses on career, family, and social causes
- Interests: Psychology, fitness, philanthropy, and cultural heritage
🏳️🌈 Sexual Orientation
- Heterosexual (Straight)
✨ Distinctive Features
- Striking cheekbones and hazel eyes
- Tall, statuesque presence
- Smooth runway strut
- Confident and powerful aura
- Signature sleek ponytail and bold features
📱 Social Media & Online Presence
- Instagram: @joansmalls
- Twitter: @joansmalls
- Facebook: Joan Smalls Official
- YouTube: Features in Vogue and fashion campaign videos
💖 Favourite Things
- Food: Sushi, Puerto Rican rice and beans
- Workout: Boxing, Pilates, strength training
- Designers: Riccardo Tisci, Olivier Rousteing, Tom Ford
- TV Shows: Insecure, Game of Thrones
- Music: Hip-hop, Latin, Beyoncé
- Destination: Paris, New York, Puerto Rico
💰 Net Worth (2025)
- Estimated Net Worth: $10–12 million
- Sources of Income: Modeling contracts, endorsements, acting, brand collaborations
📌 30 Fascinating Facts About Joan Smalls
- She was the first Latina model to represent Estée Lauder.
- Joan studied psychology and had plans to pursue counseling.
- She was discovered after moving to NYC in 2007.
- Joan has graced the cover of Vogue over 30 times.
- She has walked for nearly every top fashion house in the world.
- Her runway strut is considered one of the best in the industry.
- She speaks both English and Spanish fluently.
- Joan was ranked one of the “Top 30 Models of the 2000s” by Vogue Paris.
- She appeared in Beyoncé’s Yoncé video alongside other top models.
- Joan launched an inclusive denim collection with Smart & Sexy.
- She’s a vocal advocate for diversity and racial equality.
- She works with Project Sunshine and other children’s charities.
- Joan has a tattoo that says “Live, Love, Laugh.”
- She loves watching crime documentaries.
- She made her acting debut on Netflix’s Set It Up.
- Joan once trained with Victoria’s Secret-level fitness coaches.
- She walked for Balmain’s iconic all-Black model runway show.
- Joan has an incredible walk praised by designers worldwide.
- She’s a fan of meditation and mental health awareness.
- She’s listed as an “Industry Icon” by models.com.
- Joan believes in using her platform for social change.
- Her dream role is to star in a psychological thriller film.
- She’s appeared on America’s Next Top Model as a guest judge.
- Joan is close friends with Gigi Hadid and Karlie Kloss.
- She loves spicy food and cooks Puerto Rican dishes at home.
- Her beauty look often includes glowing skin and bold eyes.
- She starred in the Pirelli Calendar.
- Joan once modeled with Naomi Campbell in a special tribute.
- She launched her own wellness and lifestyle initiatives.
- Joan continues to inspire young Afro-Latina and POC models worldwide.
🏁 Conclusion / Legacy 🌹
Joan Smalls is not just a model — she’s a movement. As a barrier-breaking Afro-Latina in high fashion, she continues to elevate the conversation around inclusion, beauty standards, and representation. With intelligence, integrity, and unmatched style, Joan has earned her place among the greatest supermodels of all time. Her legacy is one of power, purpose, and pride — proving that beauty with substance changes the world.
