Naomi Smalls
{{Short description|American drag queen}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Naomi Smalls
| image = Rupaul Dragcon 2018-96 (28203489088) (cropped).jpg
| alt =
| caption = Smalls at RuPaul's DragCon LA in 2018
| birth_name = Davis M. Heppenstall{{cite web|url=https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/229119114:62209 |title=Davis M Heppenstall |website=Ancestry Institute |publisher=Ancestry |access-date=November 12, 2022}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1993|9|8}}
| birth_place = Fresno, California, U.S.
| occupation = {{hlist|Drag performer|model}}
| television = RuPaul's Drag Race (2016)
RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars (2018)
|| height = {{height|m=1.91}}
| website = {{URL|naomismallsduh.com}}
}}
Naomi Smalls is the stage name of Davis M. Heppenstall (born September 8, 1993), an American drag queen and reality television personality,{{Cite news|url=http://www.washingtonblade.com/2016/06/08/naomi-smalls-interview/|title=Naomi's 'Drag Race' behind-the-scenes tour|date=2016-06-08|work=Washington Blade: Gay News, Politics, LGBT Rights|access-date=2018-08-25|language=en-US}} best known as one of the runners-up on the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race as well as RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars season 4.{{Cite web|url=https://www.out.com/television/2019/2/15/op-ed-naomi-smalls-true-winner-all-stars-4|title=Op-Ed: Naomi Smalls Is the True Winner of 'All Stars 4'|date=2019-02-15|website=www.out.com|language=en|access-date=2019-02-16}}
Early life
Heppenstall was born on September 8, 1993, in Fresno, California, and was later adopted in Redlands.{{Cite news|url=https://www.pe.com/2016/05/13/tv-redlands-drag-queen-a-finalist-on-rupauls-drag-race/|title=TV: Redlands drag queen a finalist on 'RuPaul's Drag Race'|date=2016-05-13|work=Press Enterprise|access-date=2018-08-26|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-07-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719050602/https://www.pe.com/2016/05/13/tv-redlands-drag-queen-a-finalist-on-rupauls-drag-race/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.vulture.com/2016/04/rupauls-drag-race-recap-season-7-episode-5.html|title=RuPaul's Drag Race Recap: Snatch Me If You Can|date=2016-04-04|work=Vulture|access-date=2019-02-01|language=en-US}} He has eight brothers and three sisters, many of whom were also adopted.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetalko.com/15-drag-queens-who-are-hotter-than-you/|title=15 Drag Queens Who Are Hotter Than You|date=2017-03-13|work=TheTalko|access-date=2018-08-26|language=en-US|archive-date=2023-01-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111193821/https://www.thetalko.com/15-drag-queens-who-are-hotter-than-you/|url-status=dead}}
Career
File:Naomi Smalls at Rupaul's Dragcon 2017 by dvsross.jpg
The name Naomi Smalls comes from supermodel Naomi Campbell and rapper Biggie Smalls.{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/style/2016/05/12/naomi-smalls-brings-her-high-fashion-hood-rat-style-boston/LJuVByGP8z3BO13A2OahTL/story.html?outputType=amp|title=Naomi Smalls brings her fashionable look and is said to be one of the best fashion queens to enter the world of drag as well as the best from Boston. grooves to Boston|publisher=The Boston Globe|date=May 12, 2016|first=John Paul|last=Stapelton|access-date=March 26, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/drag-heroine-naomi-smalls-like-youve-never-seen|title=Drag Heroine, Naomi Smalls, Like You've Never Seen Her Before|publisher=Interview Magazine|date=May 9, 2018|first=Ngozi|last=Nwadiogbu|access-date=March 26, 2020}}
=''RuPaul's Drag Race''=
Smalls was announced as one of twelve contestants for the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race on February 1, 2016.{{Cite news|url=http://www.newnownext.com/the-cast-of-rupauls-drag-race-season-8-will-be-announced-at-new-now-next-honors/01/2016/|title=The Cast Of "RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 8 Will Be Announced At New Now Next Honors|work=LOGO News|access-date=2018-08-26}} At 21 years old, she was the season's youngest contestant. Smalls was in the bottom two in the fifth episode after she played Tiffany Pollard for the annual "Snatch Game" competition. She lip synced to "Causing a Commotion" by Madonna against Acid Betty and won, saving herself from elimination.{{Cite news|url=http://screenertv.com/television/real-acid-betty-everything-rupauls-drag-race-cameras-didnt-show/|title=The real Acid Betty: Everything the 'RuPaul's Drag Race' cameras didn't show|date=2016-04-05|work=Screener|access-date=2018-08-26|language=en-US}} She won the makeover challenge the following episode, where she designed an outfit for one of the Little Women: LA cast members.{{Cite news|url=https://www.avclub.com/rupaul-s-drag-race-journeys-to-oz-for-a-wonderful-makeo-1798187342|title=RuPaul's Drag Race journeys to Oz for a wonderful makeover challenge|last=Sava|first=Oliver|work=TV Club|access-date=2018-08-26|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-08-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826044043/https://tv.avclub.com/rupaul-s-drag-race-journeys-to-oz-for-a-wonderful-makeo-1798187342|url-status=live}} She reached the final three in the season, but lost to Bob the Drag Queen, and tied with Kim Chi for runner-up.{{Cite news|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/rupauls-drag-race-season-8-finale-the-winner-is-w206713/|title=And the Winner of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 8 Is …|date=2016-05-17|work=Us Weekly|access-date=2018-08-26|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://tvline.com/2016/05/16/rupauls-drag-race-recap-season-8-finale-winner-bob-the-drag-queen-naomi-smalls-kim-chi/|title=RuPaul's Drag Race Season 8 Finale Recap: And the Winner Is [Spoiler]!|last=Mason|first=Charlie|date=2016-05-17|work=TVLine|access-date=2018-08-26|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=http://hotchka.com/rupauls-drag-race-s08e10-grand-finale|title=RuPaul's Drag Race crowns its eighth Next Drag Superstar – HOTCHKA|website=hotchka.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-08-26}}
On November 8, 2018, it was announced that Smalls would be returning to compete in the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.{{Cite web|url=https://ew.com/tv/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-4-cast/|title=Exclusive: Meet the 'RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars 4' cast|website=EW.com|language=en|access-date=2018-12-12}} Smalls placed high for the first four episodes, doing incredibly well but just shy of winning. She was in the bottom for the roast of Lady Bunny in episode five but won against Gia Gunn in a Lipsync in the episode six "LaLaPaRuZa" to keep her place.{{Cite web|url=https://www.out.com/news-opinion/2019/1/18/bow-down-bitches-naomi-smalls-just-proved-shes-no-underdog|title=Bow Down, Bitches: Naomi Smalls Just Proved She's No Underdog|date=2019-01-18|website=www.out.com|language=en|access-date=2019-05-10}} She was in the bottom the following episode, but was saved by Latrice Royale. She won the makeover challenge, becoming the first ever queen to win two makeover challenges, and the only one to only win the makeover challenge on each of her seasons, but she controversially eliminated front-runner Manila Luzon from the competition{{Cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/entertainment/tv/article/Drag-Race-diva-Naomi-Smalls-on-that-Judy-13624331.php|title='Drag Race' diva Naomi Smalls on that Judy Garland lip sync, chopping Manila Luzon and what's next|last=Guerra|first=Joey|date=2019-02-18|website=Houston Chronicle|access-date=2019-05-10}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8498715/drag-race-naomi-smalls-interview-surviving-social-media-backlash|title='Drag Race' Star Naomi Smalls Talks Surviving Social Media Backlash: 'I Have the Thickest Skin Ever'|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2019-05-10}} after Luzon had been the only queen that season to never previously land in the bottom two. Smalls reached the final, and finished as the Runner up with Monique Heart. She became the first Drag Race contestant to finish as Runner up to both of her seasons since Raven.
= After ''Drag Race''=
Outside of Drag Race, Smalls was a co-host with Kim Chi for the WoWPresents internet series M.U.G. where they critique queens makeup looks.{{Cite web|url=https://worldofwonder.vhx.tv/m-u-g-with-kim-chi-and-naomi-smalls/season:1|title=M.U.G. with Kim Chi and Naomi Smalls|website=WOW Presents Plus|language=en|access-date=2018-08-26}} She makes recurring appearances on the internet series "Fashion Photo RuView" filling in for Raja or Raven.{{Citation|last=WOWPresents|title=FASHION PHOTO RUVIEW: RuPaul's Drag Race Season 9 Episode 6 "Kimono She Better Don't"|date=2017-05-03|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejTtrWLiNg0|access-date=2018-08-26}} Smalls did an interview with Cardi B for Cosmopolitan in February 2018.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8221655/naomi-smalls-interview-cardi-b|title=Watch 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Star Naomi Smalls Interview Cardi B About High School, Success & More|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2018-08-26}}{{Cite news|url=https://ontheaside.com/music/rupauls-drag-races-naomi-smalls-interview-cardi-b/|title=This interview with Drag Race's Naomi Smalls and Cardi B is a gift|work=A.Side|access-date=2018-08-26|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-08-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826044111/https://ontheaside.com/music/rupauls-drag-races-naomi-smalls-interview-cardi-b/|url-status=dead}} She started her own YouTube series, Small's World, where she documents her life touring across the country.{{Cite news|url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/drag-heroine-naomi-smalls-like-youve-never-seen|title=Drag heroine Naomi Smalls, like you've never seen her before - Interview Magazine|date=2018-05-09|work=Interview Magazine|access-date=2018-08-26|language=en-US}} The first episode premiered on February 16, 2018.{{Citation|last=Naomi Smalls|title=Small's World Episode 1: Pilot|date=2018-02-16|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jat5FrCiFWA|access-date=2018-08-26}}
In September 2019, at RuPaul's DragCon NYC, Smalls was named as one of a rotating cast of a dozen Drag Race queens in RuPaul's Drag Race Live!, a Las Vegas show residency at the Flamingo Las Vegas.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/09/rupauls-drag-race-live-show-las-vegas-dragcon-rupaul-charles-1202713647/|title='RuPaul's Drag Race' Sets Live Show In Las Vegas|last=Ramos|first=Dino-Ray|date=September 7, 2019|website=Deadline|access-date=2019-09-08}} She is one of the most followed queens from Drag Race, and has accumulated over 1.6 million Instagram followers as of October 2021.{{cite news|url=https://www.intomore.com/culture/25-followed-rupauls-drag-race-queens-instagram/|title=Here are the 25 Most-Followed "RuPaul's Drag Race" Queens on Instagram|date=October 15, 2021|first=Konrad|last=Juengling|website=IntoMore|access-date=October 12, 2021}} In 2024, she was announced as one of eight former Drag Race contestants participating in Painting with Raven, a spin-off of the WOW Presents Plus series Painted with Raven.{{Cite web |last=Sharpe |first=Josh |title=PAINTED WITH RAVEN Spin-Off Series Coming This Summer |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/PAINTED-WITH-RAVEN-Spin-Off-Series-Coming-This-Summer-20240415 |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=Broadway World |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Painted with Raven is back with a new format |url=https://www.pride.com/drag-queens/painted-with-raven |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=Pride.com |language=en}}
Smalls released a music video for her first single, "Pose", on December 16, 2018.{{Citation|last=Naomi Smalls|title=Pose - Naomi Smalls (Official Video)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LnqdiACjdw|access-date=2018-12-16}} She also appeared in Manila Luzon's music video for "Go Fish".{{cite news |last1=Daw |first1=Stephen |title=Manila Luzon Enlists Naomi Smalls For Campy 'Go Fish' Music Video: Watch |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8496188/manila-luzon-go-fish-music-video-drag-race-elimination |access-date=4 February 2019 |date=February 2, 2019}}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:left;" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| 2018
|A Queen for the People |Herself |Documentary by Bob the Drag Queen |
= Television =
| class="wikitable" |
| scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" | Notes |
|---|
| rowspan="2" | 2016
| rowspan="6" | Herself | rowspan="2" | Contestant (Runner-Up) |
| RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked |
| 2016–2017
| Gay for Play Game Show Starring RuPaul |Guest |
| 2018–2019
| RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars | Contestant (3rd/4th Place) |
| 2020
| RuPaul's Drag Race: Vegas Revue{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/rupauls-drag-race-vegas-revue-vh1-1234709253/|title='RuPaul's Drag Race' to Launch New Docuseries on Las Vegas Live Show|date=July 22, 2020|first=Adam B.|last=Vary|website=Vulture|access-date=July 22, 2020}} |
| 2023
| Hulu original{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2023/05/drag-me-to-dinner-hulu-premiere-date-neil-patrick-harris-david-burtka-1235351877/|title='Drag Me To Dinner': Hulu Announces Premiere Date For Unscripted Series From Neil Patrick Harris, David Burtka|last=Rice|first=Lynette|date=May 1, 2023|work=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=May 2, 2023|language=en}} |
= Music videos =
| class="wikitable"
!Year !Title !Artist |
| 2018
|Pose |Herself |
| 2019
|Go Fish |
= Web series =
Discography
= Singles =
==As lead artist==
| class="wikitable"
!Year !Title |
| 2019
|"Pose" |
==Featured singles==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:left;"
! scope="col" style="width:20em;" | Title ! scope="col" style="width:2em;" | Year ! scope="col" style="width:6em;" | Album |
| scope="row"| "Errybody Say Love"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/errybody-say-love/1446942913|title=Errybody Say Love-Single|work=iTunes}} (RuPaul featuring Naomi Smalls, Monique Heart, Farrah Moan, and Monét X Change) | rowspan="1"| 2018 | rowspan="6" {{n/a|non-album single}} |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Super Queen"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/super-queen-feat-cast-rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-season/1452629174
|title=Super Queen (feat. The Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars, Season 4) [Cast Version] - Single|work=iTunes}} (RuPaul featuring Naomi Smalls, Monét X Change, Monique Heart, & Trinity the Tuck) | rowspan="1"| 2019 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline|Naomi Smalls}}
{{RuPaul's Drag Race}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smalls, Naomi}}
Category:American LGBTQ models
Category:American gay musicians
Category:LGBTQ people from California
Category:People from Redlands, California
Category:African-American drag queens
Category:American LGBTQ singers
Category:21st-century African-American women singers
Category:21st-century American women singers
Category:Drag performers from Chicago
Category:20th-century American LGBTQ people