Naomi Smalls


Naomi Smalls is the stage name of American drag queen Davis Heppenstall, best known as the runner-up on the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, and competing on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars season 4.

Early life

Heppenstall was born in Redlands, California, and was later adopted.

Career

The name Naomi Smalls comes from supermodel Naomi Campbell and rapper Biggie Smalls.

''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. She was in the bottom two in the fifth episode where she played Tiffany Pollard for the annual "Snatch Game" competition. She lip synced to "Causing a Commotion" by Madonna against Acid Betty and won. She won the sewing challenge the following episode, where she designed an outfit for one of the cast members. She reached the final three in the season, but lost to Bob the Drag Queen, and tied with Kim Chi for runner-up.
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. She was in the bottom for the roast of Lady Bunny but won against Gia Gunn in a Lipsync in the "LaLaPaRuZa" to keep her place. 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. 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. She makes recurring appearances on the internet series "Fashion Photo Ruview" filling in for Raja or Raven.
Smalls did an interview with Cardi B for Cosmopolitan in February 2018.
She started her own YouTube series, Small's World, where she documents her life touring across the country. The first episode premiered on February 16, 2018.
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 from January to August 2020 at the Flamingo Las Vegas. The show will feature RuPaul’s music and seven of the twelve queens: Smalls, Aquaria, Asia O'Hara, Coco Montrese, Derrick Barry, Eureka O'Hara, India Ferrah, Kahanna Montrese, Kameron Michaels, Kim Chi, Yvie Oddly, and Shannel.

Music

Smalls released a music video for her first single, "Pose", on December 16, 2018.
She also appeared in Manila Luzon’s music video for "Go Fish".

Personal life

Heppenstall has eleven brothers and sisters. Many of his siblings including himself are adoptees.

Filmography

Film

Television

Music videos

Web series

Discography

Singles