KJ Smith, born Khaneshia JaNea Smith on May 6, 1985, in Tallahassee, Florida, stands as a powerhouse in American entertainment, best known for her iconic portrayal of high-powered attorney Andrea “Andi” Barnes in BET’s long-running hit Sistas. Rising from corporate America to stardom, her journey embodies resilience, versatility, and entrepreneurial spirit, captivating audiences across film, television, and production. With over 60 credits, recent motherhood, and ventures like her premium coffee brand BLACK COFFEE, KJ Smith continues to dominate screens and boardrooms alike.
Table of Contents
Who is KJ Smith?
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Khaneshia JaNea Smith |
| Age | 40 years |
| Parents | Annie Mae Smith (mother) and Earnest J. Smith (father) |
| Sister | Lanetra Bennett |
| Movies and TV Shows | Sistas, The Family Business, and Power Book III: Raising Kanan |
| Husband | Skyh Black |
| Daughter | Pryde JaNea Black |
| Net Worth | $2 million – $11 million |
| Face Surgery | Not Available |
| Height | 5 feet 4 inches (1.63 meters) |
| Weight | 143 pounds (65 kg) |
Charlie Hurt Wife, Farm, Fox News, Height, Weight, Family, Salary, Net Worth, Age, Comprehensive Bio
Jan Markell Husband, Understand the Times, Age, Podcast, Wikipedia, Net Worth, Birthday, Health
Gloria Copeland Alzheimer, Health Problems, Chemotherapy, Age, Husband, Ministries, Net Worth
Early Life and Family Roots
KJ Smith grew up in Tallahassee, Florida, the daughter of Annie Mae Smith and Earnest J. Smith, alongside her sister Lanetra Bennett, a professional journalist. A standout athlete in high school, she excelled as a cheerleader and softball player, honing discipline and teamwork that later fueled her career pivot. These formative years instilled a strong work ethic, evident in her transition from sports to academics.
Attending Florida State University, Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing, securing a corporate job post-graduation. Dissatisfied with the corporate grind, she returned to Florida A&M University for journalism studies, blending communication skills with her marketing foundation. This HBCU experience shaped her advocacy for Black education, later seen in partnerships like PepsiCo’s Taste of Tomorrow for HBCU STEM students.
Her Florida roots remain central, influencing her 2025 move to Stone Mountain, Georgia, for family proximity in a 10,400 sq. ft. estate featuring five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, an indoor pool, theater, bar, and gym.
Education and Corporate to Creative Leap
Smith’s dual degrees in marketing and journalism equipped her for initial success in corporate America, but her passion for storytelling drew her to acting. Relocating to Los Angeles after college, she immersed herself in the industry, starting with short films like Talent (2009) as a waitress and Dogs Are a Woman’s Best Friend (2010) as Jasmin. This era tested her perseverance, balancing auditions with day jobs amid Hollywood’s competitiveness.
Her early training emphasized versatility, leading to sketch comedy on Conan (2012) and Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2014). Mentored by emerging talents and organizations like Youth Emerging Stronger (YES), she advocated for underprivileged youth, drawing from her own small-town ascent. By 2015, recurring roles solidified her presence, marking the shift from novice to reliable character actress.
Breakthrough Roles and Television Dominance
KJ Smith’s television ascent began with guest spots on powerhouse series. In 2011, she appeared as Gloria the Resort Waitress on All My Children and a Sorority Girl on 1000 Ways to Die. Building momentum, she recurred as Melinda on Bounce TV’s Family Time (2015–2018, Seasons 3–6), showcasing comedic timing. 2016 proved pivotal with roles like Sequoia on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Miss Jody on Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn, and recurring Lena on OWN’s Queen Sugar.
Guest arcs followed on black-ish (Linda, 2018), NCIS: Los Angeles (Chelsea Parker, 2018), Lethal Weapon (Beth, 2018), Fuller House (Producer, 2018), and Dynasty (Kori Rucks, recurring Season 1, 2017). Her range shone in The Fix (Charlie, recurring 2019), All Rise (Cassie Lange, 2019), and Family Reunion (Coach Wilson, 2019).
The game-changer arrived in 2019 with Sistas on BET, where she stars as Andi Barnes through 2025 (184 episodes), navigating love, career, and sisterhood in Tyler Perry’s record-breaker. Parallel runs included The Family Business (Sasha Duncan, 2019–2021, 27 episodes) and Power Book III: Raising Kanan (Palomar, 4 episodes Season 2, 2022). Recent nods like blackAF (Tischina, 2020) and Bruh (Andi Barnes, recurring Season 1) affirm her staying power.
| Key TV Roles | Year(s) | Network | Episodes/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family Time (Melinda) | 2015–2018 | Bounce TV | Recurring, Seasons 3–6 |
| Queen Sugar (Lena) | 2016 | OWN | Recurring, Season 1 |
| Dynasty (Kori Rucks) | 2017 | CW | Recurring, Season 1 |
| The Family Business (Sasha Duncan) | 2019–2021 | BET+ | 27 episodes |
| Sistas (Andi Barnes) | 2019–2025 | BET | Main cast, 184 episodes |
| Power Book III: Raising Kanan (Palomar) | 2022 | STARZ | 4 episodes, Season 2 |
Film Career Highlights
Smith’s filmography blends comedy, drama, and thrillers. Early shorts like Hope (Arissa, 2011) and Sex/Absurd (Whitney, 2011) paved the way. Her TV movie debut, Whitney (Girl with Steve, 2015), led to features like Baker’s Man (Naomi, 2017), Love at the Shore (Maureen, TV movie 2017), and Throwback Holiday (Kimberly Wiggins, 2018).
2019 exploded with A Madea Family Funeral (Carol), I Got the Hook Up 2 (Lieutenant Moore), and I Left My Girlfriend for Regina Jones (Denise). Leads followed in Fatal Affair (Deborah, Netflix 2020), The Available Wife (Nicole, 2020), and Caravaggio and My Mother the Pope (Gospel Nurse, 2017). These roles highlight her from ensemble player to lead, amassing critical notice.
| Notable Films | Year | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Madea Family Funeral | 2019 | Carol | Tyler Perry comedy |
| Fatal Affair | 2020 | Deborah | Netflix thriller |
| The Available Wife | 2020 | Nicole | Lead role |
| I Got the Hook Up 2 | 2019 | Lieutenant Moore | Lionsgate |
Awards, Accolades, and Industry Impact
Despite IMDb noting no formal listings, KJ Smith garnered two Hollywood and African Prestigious Awards (HAPA) wins for Best Actress in a TV Series for Sistas. She received the BronzeLens Honorary Award for film contributions and a Webby for executive producing Black Excellence, exploring Black identity. Appearances at BET Awards 2025 (with Skyh Black) and NAACP Image Awards 2021 (presenter) underscore her prestige.
Her influence extends to production via The Blackhouse Inc., co-founding luxury events and projects uplifting Black stories. Mentorship through YES and HBCU initiatives cements her as a culture shaper.
Net Worth, Entrepreneurial Ventures and Business Acumen
KJ Smith boasts an estimated net worth of $2-11 million in 2025, fueled by her long-running role on BET’s Sistas, diversified acting gigs, modeling endorsements, and entrepreneurial pursuits like her BLACK COFFEE brand. Her wealth trajectory shows steady appreciation from modest beginnings in 2009 to multimillionaire status by mid-2020s, driven by high-profile TV residuals and savvy investments.
KJ Smith’s financial ascent mirrors her career milestones. Starting with minor roles in 2009-2015 earning likely under $50,000 annually from guest spots on shows like Conan and Jimmy Kimmel Live!, her net worth hovered below $500,000 by 2016. Breakthroughs in 2017-2019 via Dynasty, Queen Sugar, and Tyler Perry projects pushed estimates to $1-2 million, coinciding with recurring TV work.
By 2020, Netflix’s Fatal Affair and Sistas launch boosted her to $3-5 million, with 2021-2023 The Family Business and Power Book III: Raising Kanan adding residuals. In 2025, post-Sistas longevity (184 episodes), motherhood announcement, and BLACK COFFEE expansion, valuations hit $2-11 million—doubling from 2022 amid BET Awards buzz and HAPA wins. Annual growth averages 20-30% since 2019, outpacing inflation through diversified revenue.
As Andrea “Andi” Barnes on Sistas (2019-2025), KJ Smith commands top-tier pay for BET’s flagship series, reportedly earning $30,000-$50,000 per episode in later seasons. With 184 episodes across seven seasons, cumulative earnings exceed $5-9 million pre-taxes and agent fees (10-15%). Early seasons (2019-2021) likely paid $20,000-$30,000 per episode as a lead, scaling with ratings success and Tyler Perry’s production model.
Residuals from syndication and streaming add $500,000+ annually in 2025, per industry norms for long-form cable hits. This role alone accounts for 50-60% of her wealth, underscoring Sistas’ role in her financial independence.
| Year Range | Estimated Net Worth | Key Wealth Drivers |
|---|---|---|
| 2009-2015 | <$500K | Guest roles, shorts |
| 2016-2019 | $1-2M | Recurring TV (Queen Sugar, Dynasty) |
| 2020-2023 | $3-5M | Sistas, Netflix films |
| 2024-2025 | $2-11M | Series residuals, businesses |
Acting forms the core, with 60+ credits yielding $1-2 million yearly from films like A Madea Family Funeral ($50,000-$100,000 per feature) and TV arcs. Modeling for House of Beeombi, SuReina Bridal, Ria Victoria, and Murad Skincare generates $200,000-$500,000 annually via endorsements.
Entrepreneurship shines through BLACK COFFEE, her premium coffee line launched post-Sistas fame, emphasizing Black-owned blends—projected revenue $500,000+ in 2025 from e-commerce and retail partnerships. Executive producing Black Excellence (Webby winner) and events via The Blackhouse Inc. add $300,000 yearly. Combined with husband Skyh Black’s $3-4 million net worth, their household exceeds $10 million.
Smith leverages her Business Marketing degree for smart plays. Key investments include real estate: a 10,400 sq. ft. Stone Mountain, Georgia estate (2025 purchase, ~$2-3 million) with indoor pool, theater, gym, and seven bathrooms—relocated from LA for family. She owns luxury vehicles, spotlighted in a 2022 Lexus NX 350h review (~$60,000), likely including Range Rovers and Mercedes per lifestyle posts.
Diversified portfolio spans HBCU initiatives (PepsiCo partnerships), rescue dog advocacy, and undisclosed stocks/real estate flips from corporate days. BLACK COFFEE represents her boldest bet, scaling via online sales and pop-ups. No public debt reports; focus on passive income sustains growth.
Personal Life and Motherhood Milestone
KJ Smith and her husband Skyh Black have one of those swoon-worthy Hollywood love stories that started on the set of Sistas and blossomed into marriage and parenthood. KJ and Skyh first connected around 2020 on the Sistas set. What started as professional vibes and friendly chats turned into something deeper after Season 2 wrapped—they officially began dating in January 2021.
Skyh popped the question on Christmas Day 2021 during the holidays, creating a fairy-tale moment KJ described as straight out of her dreams. They said “I do” on September 3, 2023, at The Malibu Dream Resort in a stunning all-white “Black Experience” wedding with 150 guests, including Sistas castmates like Crystal Renee, Ebony Obsidian, Novi Brown, and even Tyler Perry.
KJ shared their pregnancy news in January, initially eyeing a September due date but welcoming their daughter Pryde JaNea Black on October 4, 2025, at 5 p.m. (5 lbs., 11 oz., 19.5 inches) via a planned home birth. These days, KJ and Skyh are settled in Stone Mountain, Georgia (near Atlanta), having traded LA for family closeness in a jaw-dropping 10,400 sq. ft. mansion built in 1976. It boasts five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, an indoor pool, theater, bar, gym, and movie room—with plans to convert the attic into KJ’s dream glam suite and primary closet. Perfect for raising Pryde amid Southern charm and luxury!
Legacy and Future Prospects
KJ Smith’s trajectory—from 2009 shorts to 2025’s Sistas finale and motherhood—positions her for more leads, productions, and advocacy. With BLACK COFFEE thriving and family grounding her, she redefines success for Black women in entertainment.
who is KJ Smith’s sister?
Multiple social media posts identify KJ Smith’s sister as Lanetra Bennett, a WCTV personality who has publicly celebrated KJ’s milestones, including her marriage to Skyh Black and TV appearances.
how old is KJ Smith?
KJ Smith, born Khaneshia JaNea Smith on May 6, 1985, in Tallahassee, Florida, is 40 years old as of December 2025.
who is KJ Smith married to?
KJ Smith is married to Skyh Black. The couple wed on September 3, 2023, in Malibu after meeting on the set of Sistas in 2020.
what happened to the side of KJ Smith face?
KJ Smith has faced public speculation about changes to the side of her face, often described as a “dent” or asymmetry, sparking rumors of injury, surgery, or health issues. KJ addressed these accusations in 2024, attributing facial changes to natural aging, growth, and life experiences rather than procedures.
what is KJ Smith real name?
KJ Smith’s real name is Khaneshia JaNea Smith. She is professionally known as KJ Smith or KJ Smith Black after her marriage
Are KJ and Skyh still together?
KJ Smith and Skyh Black are still together as a married couple. They welcomed their first child, daughter Pryde JaNea Black, on October 4, 2025, and recent reports from October 2025 describe them as happy new parents living together in Georgia.
What does KJ Smith’s husband do?
Skyh Black, KJ Smith’s husband, works as an actor, model, and singer. He is recognized for roles in Tyler Perry’s Sistas (where he met KJ) and All the Queen’s Men.
Does KJ Smith have a child?
KJ Smith has one child. She and her husband Skyh Black welcomed their first daughter, Pryde JaNea Black, on October 4, 2025, after a challenging home birth that required medical intervention.