'To all the guys in school who made fun of me' Joan Smalls says becoming Victoria's Secret angel silenced bullies who teased her for being 'tall and skinny'

Her killer looks have made her one of the world's most sought after models, with career highs that include walking for Victoria's Secret and posing for Chanel.

But rewind to her school days and Joan Smalls was just like any other girl in the playground, branded too 'tall and skinny' by school yard bullies.

In an interview with Sunday Style the 27-year-old Puerto Rican-born says getting her Victoria's Secret angel wings was the ultimate comeback to those who teased her.

'To all the guys in school who made fun of me' Joan Smalls, pictured on Victoria's Secret runway in 2014, says becoming an 'angel' silenced those who teased her for being 'tall and skinny'

'Victoria's Secret is pure bragging rights,' she says.

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'Like, 'Ha!' to all the guys in school who made fun of me for being so tall and skinny.'

Joan's swift ascent to stardom came after her relatively late start to modeling, after she moved to New York in 2007, age 20.

Legs for days: Joan's swift ascent to stardom came after her relatively late start to modeling, after she moved to New York in 2007, age 20

Grounded: Despite placing eighth on Forbes' World's Highest-Paid Models list in 2013, Joan says she has her feet firmly on the ground

She's coming! Currently en route to Australia the 5ft 10in model has stopped over in Fiji with her boyfriend Bernard Smith.

But, despite placing eighth on Forbes' World's Highest-Paid Models list in 2013, she has her feet firmly on the ground. 

'My parents are my idols, because I know them and I appreciate the values they instilled in me, and I know what sacrifices they’ve made to raise a family,' she says of her close knit family, she is one of three sisters.

U.S based Joan is set to land Down Under imminently, ahead of starring in a campaign for David Jones, walking the catwalk for its new Studio W Brand.

'My parents are my idols, because I know them and I appreciate the values they instilled in me, and I know what sacrifices they’ve made to raise a family,' she says of her close knit family

Currently en route to Australia the 5ft 10in model has stopped over in Fiji with her boyfriend Bernard Smith.

The lingerie model has used the layover to soak up the rays and share a series of risque shots of her incredible body.

Avoiding pesky tan lines Joan ditched her bikini bottoms for sexy snap on Friday, captioning the image 'Personal Fiji Island Natural Hair #Cay #NoBottoms (sic).' 

First class traveler! The Chanel model traveled in luxury to Fiji