A biography for Joan Smallshasn’t been written yet.
“People might think that because I'm skinny and tall, I'm fragile. But I always knew I wasn't. And it's comforting to know that I can throw a proper punch if I have to.”
“I always remember my mom saying she wanted a son, so I basically filled that position, like, being outside and always having dirt underneath my nails. I was never afraid of getting dirty and grimy.”
“I've always had a struggle trying to get a hair campaign. It's mind-boggling.”
“I remember when I started modelling and being the only non-white girl in the fashion show. I was grateful to be there, but at the casting, there had been many beautiful women of different descriptions, and I was wondering why they were not being represented.”
“I was always very, very insecure about my height. Even as a 15-year-old I was a foot and a half taller than everyone.”
“I try not to go to sleep with makeup, because I think it clogs your pores. I always wash my face with something that contains salicylic acid.”
“I'm a little bit of everything. Sometimes people think I'm not Puerto Rican, because my name doesn't sound Spanish.”
“I just want to continue to break barriers and to show the industry and the world that beauty is diverse, and you don't have to be a certain stereotype to be beautiful.”
“I became obsessed watching fashion TV shows when I was a teenager and recognized that I had the height and body frame. I especially became hooked when I saw on 'E! True Hollywood Story' how much a model can make and how I can achieve a better living for my family and me.”
“I think it's nice to know that people in the industry are paying attention to all of the hard work you've done throughout the years and rewarding you for it. It reminds you to keep doing it, to keep pushing yourself, and to always remain that way.”
“A career high was when I did a cover for 'W Magazine's July issue with Steven Meisel. So few girls shoot with Meisel in their career, and a lot of people had told me I would never achieve that, so it was a dream come true.”
“I work out almost every day, and I mix it up: I do Thai kickboxing. I have a personal trainer. I work out at my gym.”
“You should be reflective of the world you live in.”
“I don't diet. I'm Puerto Rican! You can never take my rice, pork, and beans away.”
“I adore my two older sisters, Erika and Betsy.”
“I always knew that whenever you go out there, you're not just representing yourself. You're representing a heritage that's behind you, your culture, so you always have to do things, like, bigger, badder, better.”
“I actually like working out. It's such a stress reliever when you're just focusing on yourself and not thinking about anything else except the music and your body.”
“I was the troublemaker, always being funny - that's just who I am.”
“I really don't go out. I love watching movies, and on a day off, I'll work out, do groceries, do laundry, see a friend.”
“I always had crazy, curly hair up in a bun, messy, running up and down, sweaty.”