When you put your blood and sweat into something, someone is bound to notice and appreciate your efforts. KJ Smith was in Tyler Perry’s “A Madea Family Funeral” as Carol, and he must have loved her work so much that she now is in his new series “Sistas.” She is not a new face having starred in other productions, but not many people know details of her life. Therefore we have gathered these facts as published in Information Cradle to enlighten you.
1. Her sportsmanship in high school
Anyone who has participated in sports, whether for fun or competitively knows it takes a lot of dedication to be the best. Smith may have gotten her tough skin from her experience in high school, where she was a cheerleader and also played softball. From series like “Hit the Floor” and “Glee,” it is clear that it takes lots of practice and commitment to overcome the pressure that cheerleaders face.
2. Why acting suits her
We have seen many childhood actors grow into stars. The likes of Scarlett Johansson, Drew Barrymore, and Dakota Fanning have blossomed into not just beautiful women, but also major Hollywood stars. Although Smith has been described as a late bloomer, she was destined for the screens. According to her sister, Smith always was dramatic, but they never thought of her taking up an acting career. Still, her character made it a natural choice.
3. Her manager
Everyone crosses our path for a reason; as a blessing and a lesson. For Smith, one person was sent her way to make her acting career bloom. Nathan Habben saw the potential in Smith and pushed her to take up big roles. That was all the encouragement that Smith needed, and since meeting Nathan, her luck has changed for the better. It is, therefore, no surprise that she chose him as her manager, and Nathan is committed to making Smith a household name like that of Oprah Winfrey.
4. She suffered from depression after her father died in 2017
Smith’s father, Earnest Smith, always wanted his little girl to be successful but not in acting; in the corporate world. By the time he died in January 2017, he had, however, accepted her career choice, having seen how gifted his daughter is in the various roles she had played. After her father passed on, Smith beat herself up because she had not visited her home for a while and could not forgive herself for the holidays and birthdays she had missed. The death took such a toll on her; Smith sank into depression and took a break from acting. However, when she got back in the acting scene, she had renewed passion fueled by her father’s loss.
5. She has been through tough financial times
Despite picturing herself in an executive office in a Fortune 500 company, life has its way of humbling us. When Smith moved to Los Angeles, determined to have a successful career, she thought everything would work out as she hoped. Unfortunately, she was forced to take a job in retail. Before then, she had held a good position taking home a lucrative pay but then decided to change gears to become an actress. That was when she realized that it was not as glamorous as she expected after going through hard financial times.
6. What drove her to acting?
Smith had grown up being told that having a corporate job was the sure way of being happy. However, the experience of holding a corporate job did not give her the gratification she wanted, so she considered acting. Smith always had a passion for acting but disregarded it in favor of working her to way to the top in Fortune 500 firms. Destiny will always steer us in the right direction, and when Smith’s friend invited her to Los Angeles to spend a week there, Smith saw it as her chance to get into acting. She booked her flight and told her mom that she was moving out and would not go back. As any supportive mother would do, Smith’s mother only responded that she would help her pack.
7. She got several rejections
All that glitters is not gold, and Smith learned this the hard way. She thought that Hollywood life was easy, and she would soon become a star. Her castles in the air came crumbling down when she attended several auditions. Smith was rejected by casting directors who told her that she did not have what it takes to be an actress. Worse still, her acting coach was not encouraging her. Instead, he told her that the way she delivered her scenes left a lot to be desired. Well, good for her, she did not give up even in the face of rejections lest we would have been denied the chance to see her talent.
8. Her philanthropic efforts
John Homes once said that there is no exercise as good for the heart as reaching down to lift others. It has become almost mandatory for celebrities to give back to society through various donations. Some usually focus on a cause that has affected them personally, while others do it to help anyone in need. Smith graced the Crescent Moon Gala as the celebrity guest. The event is held every year by Sickle Cell Foundation Inc. to help raise funds and awareness.
9. Her notable roles
When Smith’s manager saw her in the movie “A Madea Family Funeral,” it hit him that his client had finally become a star. To Nathan, Smith’s role in the film put her on a plateau. However, before then, Smith still had made other appearances in various shows. For instance, she has been cast in “Dynasty,” “Survivor’s Remorse,” “Queen Sugar,” among others.
10. She always wanted to have a corporate job
Most actors usually know in their childhood that they will be in the film industry and even start as child actors and models in commercials. However, KJ Smith never dreamed of pursuing acting. Matter of fact is her perfect adulthood entailed raising a family in a house with a white picket fence. So she did all she could to make her dream come true. That meant getting a business degree from Florida State University, landing a job and climbing the corporate ladder until she could afford a luxurious lifestyle.
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