Joan Smalls for ELLE US January 2014

Photographed by Michael Thompson

On the fashion industry’s lack of diversity: “People hide behind the word aesthetic. They say, ‘Well, it’s just that designer’s aesthetic.’ But when you see 18 seasons in a row and not one single model outside a certain skin color…? There are people in the industry who are advocates, who support diversity. And there are people who do not. I don’t get it. Beauty is universal. These doors have to open.”

On starting her modeling career: “I came to New York with a dream. I came to do what I saw girls doing in campaigns, in editorials – great things, challenging things.”

On wanting to get into acting: “I want to be clear that I don’t want to act just because it’s the typical move for a model. My desire comes from a place of wanting to entertain people on a different level.”

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