BLUF: Xavier Smalls is a 28-year-old American actor best known as Angel in Tyler Perry's Netflix drama Beauty in Black. Born on November 7, 1997, in Sacramento, California, he trained at the William Esper Studio and has built an estimated net worth of $500K–$2M. He is married to Vanessa Martinez and the couple welcomed their son, Xander August Smalls, in 2025.
Xavier Smalls: Quick Bio Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Xavier Smalls |
| Date of Birth | November 7, 1997 |
| Age (2026) | 28 years old |
| Birthplace | Sacramento, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed |
| Height | 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) |
| Education | Sacramento State University; William Esper Studio, NYC |
| Occupation | Actor, Model |
| Known For | Angel in Beauty in Black (Netflix, 2024–2026) |
| Wife | Vanessa Martinez |
| Child | Xander August Smalls (born 2025) |
| Net Worth | $500,000 – $2 Million (est.) |
| @xaviersmalls_ |
Who Is Xavier Smalls?
Xavier Smalls is an American actor who went from working part-time at a Sacramento mall to starring in one of Netflix's biggest drama series. He plays Angel in Tyler Perry's Beauty in Black, a role that launched him into global recognition almost overnight.
What makes his story different is the path. He didn't grow up in Hollywood. He changed majors three times at Sacramento State — from Biology to Business to Theater — before betting everything on acting. That gamble paid off.
He comes from a creative family. His brother Jay Smalls is an emerging music artist. His other brother, Darrien Smalls, works as a director. The arts clearly run in the family.
Xavier Smalls Age and Birthday
Xavier Smalls was born on November 7, 1997. As of 2026, he is 28 years old.
He celebrated his 26th birthday in November 2023 with an Instagram post that joked: "I guess that calendar says that I'm 26." That same month, his career was quietly about to take off.
Xavier Smalls Height and Physical Appearance
Xavier Smalls stands at 6 feet 1 inch tall (approximately 185 cm). He has a lean, athletic build and is recognized by his short dreadlocks. He has multiple tattoos on his chest, arms, and shoulders — details that fans often notice on screen.
He is signed as a model with The Dragonfly Agency, confirming his dual presence in acting and commercial modeling.
Xavier Smalls Education and Early Life
Xavier's academic journey was anything but straight. Here's how it unfolded:
- Sacramento State University — Initially majored in Biology, minored in Chemistry
- Switched to Business with a minor in Real Estate
- Changed his minor to Theater, then made it his full major
- Graduated with a degree in Theater
- Enrolled in a two-year Meisner Technique program at the William Esper Studio in New York City
- Graduated from William Esper in Summer 2023
The Meisner Technique is one of the most respected acting methods in the world. Alumni of the William Esper Studio include some of Hollywood's most grounded, instinct-driven performers. This training clearly shaped how Xavier approaches his roles.
If you enjoy learning about performers who built their careers through formal craft training, explore similar profiles on BigWriteHook's biographies section.
Xavier Smalls Acting Career: From Mall Worker to Netflix Star
Before the cameras, Xavier worked as a community ambassador at Arden Fair mall in Sacramento, mentoring local youth. In 2023, his New York agent reached out with an audition opportunity. What happened next moved fast.
Theater Roles (Pre-Screen)
Xavier built his foundation on stage before transitioning to screen:
- Pipeline (Celebration Arts Theatre) — played Dun
- House of Desires — played Don Carlos
- She Kills Monsters — played Miles
- A Murder is Announced — played Patrick (Sacramento State Theatre)
Film and Television Filmography
| Year | Project | Role | Platform |
| 2024 | Shelf Life | Lead | Short Film |
| 2024 | False Move | Supporting | Film |
| 2024 | Beauty in Black Season 1 | Angel (recurring) | Netflix |
| 2025 | Madea's Destination Wedding | Supporting | Netflix |
| 2025–2026 | Beauty in Black Season 2 | Angel (recurring) | Netflix |
Beauty in Black: The Role That Changed Everything
Beauty in Black premiered on Netflix on October 24, 2024, and became a hit almost immediately. Season 1 spent seven weeks in Netflix's Top 10 and reached the No. 1 spot in 28 countries during its second week.
Xavier plays Angel, a young man entangled in a dangerous strip club and sex-trafficking ring. He strives to escape alongside Kimmie and Rain, making his character one of the show's most emotionally complex arcs.
2026 Season 2 Update: Season 2, Part 2 premiered on March 19, 2026, on Netflix. Angel's storyline became one of the most talked-about in the season — faking his own death to escape a hit ordered by Horace, then hiding out while managing the risk to his family. In December 2025, Netflix confirmed the show is renewed for a Season 3, described as the final season.
For more profiles of actors from Netflix originals, check out this biography of Isabella Gómez from Netflix's One Day at a Time.
Xavier Smalls Net Worth (2026)
Xavier Smalls has an estimated net worth of $500,000 to $2 million as of 2026.
His income comes from:
- Recurring role fees from Beauty in Black Seasons 1 and 2
- Netflix film payments from Madea's Destination Wedding
- Modeling contracts through The Dragonfly Agency
- Theater and short film credits from earlier in his career
His net worth is expected to grow significantly. Beauty in Black has been renewed for a third season, and his Tyler Perry relationship appears ongoing. He is at the beginning of what looks like a long career arc.
Xavier Smalls Wife, Marriage, and Family
This is the section fans search for the most — and the story here is genuinely touching.
The Proposal
Xavier proposed to Vanessa Martinez in August 2023. He shared the news on Instagram with the caption: "I proposed to the woman of my dreams. Thank you God ❤️💍. I love you forever Vanessa."
Vanessa Martinez is a makeup artist. Their shared creative backgrounds in the entertainment world appear to be a strong foundation for the relationship.
The Wedding
Xavier and Vanessa quietly married on December 7, 2024. He revealed the date in January 2025 via an Instagram post captioned: "12/7/24 ❤️🔥🔐."
Baby Xander (2025)
In September 2025, Xavier announced the birth of his son, Xander August Smalls. His Instagram post read: "Xander August Small 🩵💙🐻." The post went viral among fans of Beauty in Black, with fellow cast members flooding the comments with congratulations.
This makes the question "Does Xavier Smalls have a girlfriend?" officially outdated — he is a married father of one.
For more profiles of actors navigating both fame and family life, see Owen Teague's biography on BigWriteHook.
Xavier Smalls 2026 Controversy
In 2026, Xavier faced public backlash after a video circulated online in which he made remarks about homosexuality. LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and fans widely criticized the comments on social media. Xavier subsequently issued a public apology, expressing regret and stating the remarks did not reflect his intentions. The situation drew significant attention given his high-profile role on a Netflix series with a diverse fanbase.
Xavier Smalls Notable Facts
- He shares his alma mater, Sacramento State, with Tom Hanks and director Ryan Coogler
- He trained under the Meisner Technique, one of the most demanding actor training methods in the world
- He worked as a mall community ambassador the same year he booked his first major TV role
- His role as Angel in Beauty in Black was his first major television appearance
- He is a model represented by The Dragonfly Agency
- His brothers are both active in the creative industry — one in music, one in directing
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How old is Xavier Smalls in 2026?
A: Xavier Smalls is 28 years old in 2026. He was born on November 7, 1997, in Sacramento, California. He will turn 29 in November 2026.
Q: How tall is Xavier Smalls?
A: Xavier Smalls stands 6 feet 1 inch tall (approximately 185 cm). He has a lean build, short dreadlocks, and visible tattoos on his chest and arms.
Q: Is Xavier Smalls married or does he have a girlfriend?
A: Xavier Smalls is married to Vanessa Martinez. They got engaged in August 2023 and married on December 7, 2024. Together they have a son named Xander August Smalls, born in 2025.
Q: What is Xavier Smalls famous for?
A: Xavier Smalls is best known for playing Angel in Tyler Perry's Netflix series Beauty in Black, which premiered in October 2024. The show reached No. 1 in 28 countries. He also appeared in Madea's Destination Wedding on Netflix in 2025.
Q: What is Xavier Smalls' net worth?
A: Xavier Smalls has an estimated net worth between $500,000 and $2 million as of 2026. His earnings come from his Netflix roles, modeling work with The Dragonfly Agency, and film credits. His net worth is expected to increase as Beauty in Black continues into Season 3.
Q: Where did Xavier Smalls go to school?
A: Xavier attended Sacramento State University, where he eventually majored in Theater after switching from Biology and Business. He then completed a two-year Meisner Technique program at the William Esper Studio in New York City, graduating in Summer 2023.
Q: Is Xavier Smalls in Beauty in Black Season 2?
A: Yes. Xavier Smalls reprises his role as Angel in Beauty in Black Season 2. Season 2, Part 2 premiered on Netflix on March 19, 2026. The show has been renewed for a third and final season.
Q: What happened with Xavier Smalls' controversy in 2026?
A: In 2026, Xavier faced criticism after a video emerged of him making remarks about homosexuality. LGBTQ+ groups and fans responded negatively. He later issued a public apology, expressing regret for any harm caused. The situation was widely covered in entertainment media.
Meta Title: Xavier Smalls: Age, Height, Wiki, Bio, Net Worth, and Wife (2026) Meta Description: Xavier Smalls is a 28-year-old American actor known as Angel in Netflix's Beauty in Black. Get his full bio, net worth, height, wife Vanessa Martinez, and 2026 updates here.
References
- Wikipedia — Xavier Smalls: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xavier_Smalls
- IMDB — Xavier Smalls: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm15604731/
- FactProfiles — Xavier Smalls Bio: https://factprofiles.com/xavier-smalls/
- TidingsInfo — Is Xavier Smalls Married?: https://tidingsinfo.com/xavier-smalls/
- Penshot Publications — Xavier Smalls Welcomes First Child: https://penshotpublications.com/xavier-smalls-welcomes-first-child-with-wife/
- Netflix Tudum — Beauty in Black Season 2: https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/beauty-in-black-season-2-tyler-perry
- Wikipedia — Beauty in Black (TV Series): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beauty_in_Black
- What's On Netflix — Beauty in Black Season 3 Renewal: https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/beauty-in-black-renewed-for-final-season-3-at-netflix-season-2-volume-2-confirms-early-2026-release/
- The Movie Database (TMDB) — Xavier Smalls: https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4635145-xavier-smalls r
- Famous Birthdays — Xavier Smalls: https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/xavier-smalls.html
