She is rising to the top of the fashion industry, but Joan Smalls didn't always dream of walking the catwalk.

In the spring 2014 issue of Glam Belleza Latina magazine, the 25-year-old stunner opened up about her former career aspirations and talks about her heritage pride.

Highlights from Miss Smalls' interview are as follows. For more, be sure to visit Glam Belleza Latina!

On her childhood modeling dreams:
"I grew up on a farm in Puerto Rico and wanted to be a veterinarian. I was always playing with animals! But…people would tell my parents that I should model."

On her heritage:
"[P]eople don’t realize that when you’re Latin, you’re so diverse. I am black. I am Latin. I am Spanish. You know? It’s a little bit of everything, and that’s beautiful. So, everybody, claim me. I’m fine with that!"

On her work with Estée Lauder:
"[I]t was an affirmation that Latinas were beautiful and worthy of being represented. I’m their first Latina model, and it felt like a sisterhood with [Estée Lauder models] Constance [Jablonski] and Liu Wen. I felt like the contract represented my beliefs."

On her mother's beauty tips:
"Well, to this day she still says, ‘Tu no te vas a poner lipstick?’ She always wears it, so even if I’m wearing lip gloss, she’ll ask if I plan to wear color."