In an interview-style conversation, Joan Smalls speaks with clarity and conviction—much like she walks a runway. The Puerto Rican–born model reflects on life during the pandemic, the evolving realities of modeling, and why, in her words, “a girl should always be able to throw a good punch.” For Smalls, strength is physical, mental, and deeply tied to purpose, shaped by years navigating the fashion industry alongside top model agencies.
Joan: “I really thought staying home would mean sleeping in,” she admits with a laugh. “I’m a sleeper.”
But even without early call times, her internal clock didn’t change. Waking up around 7:30 a.m.—sometimes as early as 5—became routine. Before bed, she puts her phone on airplane mode and Do Not Disturb. “The first thing I do is check there hasn’t been an emergency, that my family hasn’t needed me,” she says. Groundedness, she explains, is essential when your career as a model is built on constant movement.
Since making her debut in 2007 and breaking through with Givenchy’s haute couture show in Paris, Smalls has walked more than 500 runways and fronted campaigns for Chanel, Ralph Lauren, and Tiffany. In 2011, she became the first Latina model to represent Estée Lauder—a milestone not just for her, but for representation within model agencies worldwide. Yet during the pandemic, she found herself back in Puerto Rico, reconnecting with simplicity.
Joan: “Breakfast depends on the day,” she says. Oatmeal satisfies her sweet tooth, while other mornings call for eggs, turkey bacon, avocado, or just fruit—always after water. Caffeine, however, is mostly off the table. Coffee reminds her of her grandmother. “I stopped drinking it years ago. It’s comforting, but emotional.”
Her wellness routine reflects the discipline required in professional modeling. Vitamins like zinc, probiotics, vitamin D, and B-complex support her health, while beauty rituals became more hands-on during quarantine. Leaving her hair natural, she researched oils and created her own scalp treatment. “It was about deconditioning myself from always needing someone else to do it,” she explains—an independence many models learned during a year of paused productions and scaled-back budgets.
At home, fashion took a back seat. “In Puerto Rico, it’s hot. I stayed in panties and a shirt,” she says candidly. “It was liberating.” For someone whose career revolves around clothes, campaigns, and constant styling through a model agency, not having to think about what to wear felt like freedom.
When it comes to work, Smalls is realistic. “I don’t think ‘normal’ exists anymore,” she says. Fashion Weeks are smaller, editorials more minimal, and planning more complex. Still, what she misses most isn’t the spectacle—it’s the people. “Seeing my friends, those reunions. Creativity thrives when we’re together.”
That sense of responsibility extends beyond fashion. In 2020, Smalls donated half her salary to support Black Lives Matter and launched DonateMyWage.org, encouraging others—inside and outside the modeling world—to give what they can. “It’s not easy convincing brands,” she admits. “Real involvement matters more than just a mention.” While she won’t donate 50% every year, giving back remains a constant.
Asked about change in the industry, Smalls is thoughtful. “There’s more visibility now, but will it last?” she asks. She’s seen trends come in waves—Asian models one season, Black models another. “Equality should be consistent. All races, all the time.”
To unwind, she dances. Music—especially Wizkid’s Made in Lagos—helps her reset. And physically, she keeps moving: daily bodyweight training, core work for scoliosis, glute exercises, and cardio. What she misses most is Muay Thai. “I haven’t done it in over a year,” she says. “But I believe a girl should always be able to throw a good punch. It’s strength. It’s self-defense.”
In an industry shaped by images, Joan Smalls reminds us that true power—whether in modeling, activism, or life—comes from resilience, intention, and knowing when to stand your ground.
