About
Joan Smalls Rodríguez is a Puerto Rican supermodel celebrated for her blend of statuesque elegance, effortless cool, and unapologetic pride in her Afro‑Latina heritage. Breaking onto runways in 2010, she quickly became a fixture for fashion’s most influential houses, from Givenchy and Chanel to Versace and Burberry. In 2013 she reached another milestone as the first Latina face of Estée Lauder, a position she still holds while simultaneously championing inclusivity within the beauty industry. Consistently ranked among the world’s highest‑paid models, she has also expanded into acting, hosting, and producing, using every platform to highlight Caribbean culture and advocate for mental‑health awareness. Whether opening haute‑couture shows in Paris or fronting global campaigns in New York, Joan balances professionalism with playful warmth, making her a role model for aspiring talent everywhere.
Before Fame
Born on July 11, 1988, in Hatillo, Puerto Rico, Joan grew up in a tight‑knit, coastal community where curiosity and determination were encouraged. Her father, Eric Smalls—of West Indian descent—worked as an accountant, and her mother, Betzaida Rodríguez, served as both a social‑worker and home health‑nurse. Academics came first in the household, so after finishing high school she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. Modeling, though, was a persistent dream. Joan entered local contests and signed with agencies on the island, but her ambitions stretched far beyond. In 2007 she relocated to New York City, juggling casting calls with part‑time retail jobs. A pivotal moment arrived when Elite Model Management spotted her potential, leading to an exclusive runway booking for Riccardo Tisci’s Givenchy collection in Paris—a lightning‑strike opportunity that launched her global career.
Trivia
- Runway Record: From 2011 through 2016, Joan walked in more than 200 shows—sometimes sprinting across multiple continents during fashion month without a single cancellation.
- Sports Fan: A lifelong boxing enthusiast, she credits ring workouts for her toned physique and often schedules sparring sessions between photo shoots.
- Philanthropy: Together with Clara Lionel Foundation and Project Sunshine, she has funded pediatric cancer programs in Puerto Rico and across the United States.
- Multilingual Edge: Fluent in Spanish and English, she also picked up conversational Portuguese while working in São Paulo, enabling her to improvise backstage interviews during Brazil Fashion Week.
- Animated Cameo: In 2022, Joan lent her voice to an animated character in Netflix’s “Barbie: It Takes Two,” introducing a new generation to diverse doll representation.
Family Life
Despite an international lifestyle, Joan remains loyal to her island roots. She visits Hatillo every December for parrandas—Puerto Rico’s lively holiday street serenades—where neighbors recognize “their girl” with affectionate pride. Her younger twin sisters, Erika and Betsy, frequently appear in her social‑media stories, baking guava pastries or dancing to reggaetón rhythms together. Joan credits her parents for grounding her through fame: her mother still calls daily with career advice, while her father analyzes contracts with the same precision he once applied to balance sheets. Romantic relationships have occasionally made headlines, notably her long‑term partnership with entrepreneur Bernard Smith, but she keeps details private to protect loved ones from paparazzi glare. Whenever schedules clash, Joan arranges family video dinners—everyone cooks the same recipe so distance feels shorter and conversation flows as if they were around one table.
Associated With
Joan’s influence spans fashion, entertainment, and activism, forging alliances with industry heavyweights. She has starred alongside Karlie Kloss and Jourdan Dunn in iconic VS runway spectacles, collaborated with Beyoncé on the singer’s “Yoncé” video, and inspired photographers such as Steven Meisel and Mert & Marcus. Designers Riccardo Tisci and Olivier Rousteing consistently cast her in headline shows, praising her disciplined walk and chameleon‑like versatility. As an equity partner in WME’s model incubator, Joan mentors emerging Afro‑Latino talent, echoing the support she once received from Naomi Campbell, who introduced her to backstage advocacy circles. During social‑justice protests in 2020 she joined forces with fellow Boricua star Bad Bunny, co‑organizing relief drives for hurricane‑stricken communities. In beauty, her trailblazing Estée Lauder contract opened doors for peers like Ana de Armas and Adut Akech. Whether sharing panel discussions with environmental activist Maya Penn or filming a documentary with director Ava DuVernay, Joan uses collaboration to amplify underrepresented voices, proving that style and substance can stride forward side by side.
