Nara Smith

Nara Aziza Pellmann was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa, to a Mosotho mother and a German father. When she was three months old, her family moved to Frankfurt, Germany, where she spent most of her childhood. She speaks both English and German as native languages.

She grew up playing the saxophone, flute, and piano, and studied piano for about eight years. In high school, she worked at a smoothie shop before leaving the job because she found the work overwhelming.

Smith began modeling at 14 after being discovered through IMG Models’ “We Love Your Genes” campaign. She moved to California at 18 and continued modeling internationally. In 2024, she became the face of Aritzia’s Sweatfleece campaign.

Smith initially posted outfit choices and lifestyle material online, but her profile grew rapidly through cooking videos that showed her making elaborate food from scratch while dressed in extravagant clothing. Her content includes homemade staples, family meals, baking, and recipes shared through her newsletter. A February 2024 video featuring an elaborate grilled cheese recipe received more than 40 million views.

Her online work has also included branded creative projects. Marc Jacobs featured Smith making one of the label’s The Tote Bags “from scratch” in a viral video. Her cooking content has led to discussion of the “tradwife” label, which Smith has rejected as an oversimplification of her life as a working mother and model.

Smith met model Lucky Blue Smith through the fashion industry in 2019, including at Milan Fashion Week, and they married in California in February 2020. They have three daughters and a son: Rumble Honey, Slim Easy, Whimsy Lou, and Fawnie Golden. Smith is also a stepmother to Lucky Blue Smith’s daughter Gravity Blue from his previous relationship with Stormi Henley.

Smith has said that she wanted to become a young mother and that she and Lucky Blue Smith are continuing to determine how they want to raise their children. She has described herself as not strongly affiliated with any religion, clarified that she did not marry in a Mormon temple, and said that she is still working out her own faith.

Smith has discussed living with eczema and being diagnosed with lupus. She has connected her interest in cooking from scratch with efforts to create nutritious meals while managing severe eczema.

Smith was announced as part of the cast of Tyrant, a thriller directed by David Weil. The film was listed as in filming, with Smith’s role not specified.

The project marks Smith’s move into film alongside her established work in modeling and social media content.