Joan Smalls

I know I'm representing a group - black, Latin, whatever you want to put me with - and I want to show that they are beautiful the way they are. I think that's really important for our youth to see.

I want to last in my career, and that relies on the way my body performs. So I need to take care of it.

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.

My mom always tells me, 'Joan, you're the brightest star. Embrace your strength and your power when you walk into a room.' So I always have that in me to have that confidence.

It always just feels good going back home. It feels like nothing has changed. Seeing my room, the views. It, like, grounds you.

I was always being athletic, climbing trees and running after boys, just being trouble. It was always in me.

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 hate being skinny and being a little weakling thing.

I always believe, as a woman, it's powerful to be able to pull your own body weight and be able to defend yourself.

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.

My dad would love to say he taught me how to walk. He taught me how to be like, 'This is your space.'

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.