• Celebrity
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Women in Music
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion House
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Color Files Podcast
    • Nails
    • How-To
    • Beauty Carnival-Archive
    • Dope Stuff On My Desk
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
    • Spring Hair And Beauty
  • Love
    • Love & Sex
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle News
    • Build Your Legacy
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • Holiday Gift Guide 2020
    • Unbossed Podcast
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
  • News
    • Latest News
    • BLACK VOTES MATTER
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Events
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • LEVEL UP: Entrepreneur Summit (DEC 2020)
    • Power Tools
    • SHE GOT NOW
    • Girls United Summit
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Dear Black Men
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Festival
  • Subscribe
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Shop Essence

Follow Us

Skip to content
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Shop Essence
  • Celebrity
    • Celebrity
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Women in Music
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Fashion
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion House
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Beauty
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Color Files Podcast
    • Nails
    • How-To
    • AVEENO® Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • Beauty Carnival-Archive
    • Dope Stuff On My Desk
  • Hair
    • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
    • Spring Hair And Beauty
  • Love
    • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle News
    • Build Your Legacy
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • Holiday Gift Guide 2020
    • Netflix’s Jingle Jangle Gift Guide
    • Unbossed Podcast
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
    • Your Legacy
  • News
    • News
    • Latest News
    • BLACK VOTES MATTER
    • Essence 50th Anniversary
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Events
    • Events
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • LEVEL UP: Entrepreneur Summit (DEC 2020)
    • Power Tools
    • SHE GOT NOW
    • Girls United Summit
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Dear Black Men
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Festival
  • Subscribe
Home · News

ESSENCE It Girl Nataya Smalls

ESSENCE It Girl Nataya Smalls
By · June 11, 2010October 29, 2020
01
Introducing ESSENCE It Girl: Nataya Smalls

Twenty-year-old Nataya Smalls from Norwalk, Connecticut, is the new “ESSENCE It Girl.” Through the ESSENCE model bootcamp, Smalls proved she had what it takes to win a modeling contract with Elite Model Management and a fashion spread in ESSENCE Magazine.

We take a look at the burgeoning model’s life in pictures.

02
Sunday’s Best

At three years old, Nataya giggles in her dad Leon Richardson’s arms on Easter Sunday.

03
Supermodel

Even at three, Nataya was a little fashionista in her adorable red polka dot dress and opaque white stockings.

04
Say Cheese

Nataya Smalls, 4, and her older brother Brandon pose for a portrait.

05
Cutie Pie

Nataya proves photogenic at an early age as she poses for her first grade school picture at Silver Lane Elementary School.

06
Birthday Girl

At nine, Nataya gets into celebration mode with a “Blues Clues” birthday hat for her nephew’s first birthday.

07
One Of The Guys

In her tomboy phase, Nataya hangs with the fellas at her nephew’s birthday party.

08
Braided Beauty

Nataya rocks box braids for her fifth grade school photo at Silvermine Elementary School.

09
Short and Sweet

At her eight-grade graduation Nataya looks chic in a short haircut a-la Halle Berry while posing with her friend Teonna.

10
Raspberry

Goofing off with her Norwalk High School basketball teammates, Smalls sticks her tongue out at the camera.

11
Pretty in Pink

Nataya and her Junior Prom date Isaiah make the perfect match, coordinating her pink dress and his vest. We love the side cut-outs and the jewel details on her prom dress.

12
Senior Prom

Nataya chooses a haltered burnt orange gown for her Senior prom. The dramatic curls are to die for.

13
Sister to Sister

Nataya poses with her sisters Akilaah, Nenyelle and Nzinga. Her cousin Nekkah looks on.

Read More

News
House of Representatives Passes 'For the People Act'
Beauty
Exclusive: Arrogant Tae's Masterclass With Lala Anthony Is A...
Celebrity
Lena Waithe Announces Inaugural Mentorship Class Of Rising C...
Beauty
#ESSENCEApproved: ESSENCE Staff Try Out Beautiful Possibilit...
News
Only One George Floyd Relative Allowed in Court During Chauv...
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2021 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now