KJ Smith is one of Hollywood’s most celebrated rising stars, whose talent, resilience, and authentic personality have earned her a firm place in Black American television drama. Best known for her breakthrough role as Andrea “Andi” Barnes in Tyler Perry’s BET hit series Sistas, this Tallahassee-born actress has built a career that continues to inspire fans across the country.
Beyond the screen, KJ Smith leads a deeply fulfilling personal life alongside her husband, actor and dancer Skyh Alvester Black. From her early days at Florida State University to her current status as one of Tyler Perry Productions’ most beloved cast members, her journey is as compelling as any role she has ever played.
Quick Bio
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Khaneshia “KJ” Smith |
| Nickname | KJ |
| Profession | Actress, Model, Producer |
| Famous For | Roles in Sistas, The Family Business, Queen Sugar |
| Date of Birth | May 6, 1985 |
| Age (2025) | 40 Years |
| Birthplace | Tallahassee, Florida, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Education | Business degree from Florida State University |
| Father | Ernest Smith |
| Mother | Annie Mae Smith |
| Siblings | One sister |
| Marital Status (2025) | Married |
| Husband | Skyh Alvester Black |
| Wedding Date | September 3, 2023 |
| Children | First child expecting (2025) |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) |
| Weight | Approx. 57 kg (125 lbs) |
| Body Type | Slim, Fit |
| Body Measurements | 34-26-36 (approx.) |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Career Start | 2009 |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Languages Spoken | English |
| Source of Fame | Tyler Perry Productions, TV dramas |
| Estimated Net Worth (2025) | $2 Million (approx.) |
| Main Income Sources | Acting, brand endorsements, appearances |
Who is KJ Smith?
KJ Smith, born Khaneshia Smith on May 6, 1985, in Tallahassee, Florida, is an accomplished actress, model, and producer who has become one of the most recognizable faces in Black American television. She grew up with a strong family foundation rooted in faith and community, and later earned a business degree from Florida State University — a decision that gave her the confidence and independence to navigate Hollywood on her own terms before following her true passion for performing arts.
She launched her professional acting career in 2009, steadily building momentum through small but meaningful roles that showcased her emotional depth and versatility. Her major breakthrough came when she landed the iconic role of Andrea “Andi” Barnes in Tyler Perry’s Sistas on BET, a performance that earned her national recognition, a devoted fanbase, and her rightful place among the most expressive dramatic actresses working in television today.
Beyond Sistas, KJ has delivered standout performances in notable productions including The Family Business, Queen Sugar, Dynasty, and NCIS: Los Angeles, further cementing her reputation as a versatile talent capable of inhabiting complex, layered female characters. Her ability to connect authentically with audiences across both cable and streaming platforms has earned her consistent critical praise and deep industry respect.
Off screen, KJ Smith is equally inspiring — a woman who balances a thriving acting career with a grounded personal life built on faith, fitness, mental wellness, and a genuine commitment to empowering women through her platform. Her rise from Tallahassee to Hollywood stardom is a story of resilience, purpose, and unwavering self-belief that continues to unfold in remarkable ways.
KJ Smith’s Personal Life
KJ Smith’s personal life has always drawn as much interest as her professional achievements, and she has navigated that curiosity with grace and intentionality. Raised in a close-knit family in Tallahassee, she credits her upbringing, her Christian faith, and her strong sense of self as the core pillars that continue to shape her character and choices both on and off camera — values that have kept her grounded even as her public profile has grown significantly.
Her deeply personal love story with actor Skyh Alvester Black has become one of the most talked-about and celebrated aspects of her life, particularly because their bond blossomed organically from a professional collaboration into a genuine, lasting partnership. KJ has shared that she once wrote a detailed list in her journal of the qualities she wanted in a husband — and when Skyh entered her life, he checked every single one. Their relationship is widely admired as a beautiful example of answered prayer and intentional love.
Despite her rising fame, KJ remains deliberate and thoughtful about how much of her personal world she shares publicly. She carefully balances openness with privacy — giving fans enough authentic glimpses to feel connected while fiercely protecting the most intimate corners of her life. That balance has only deepened fan respect and loyalty toward her over the years.
Early Relationship Details
KJ Smith and Skyh Alvester Black first sparked romance speculation after their undeniable on-screen chemistry on Sistas began translating into something visibly real off camera as well. The two were spotted together at various industry events, and fans who had been rooting for them from the beginning were thrilled when the couple eventually stepped forward to confirm what many had already suspected — that their connection was far more than fictional.
Marriage Timeline
KJ and Skyh made their relationship increasingly public over the years before taking the beautiful step of formalizing their commitment. The couple tied the knot on September 3, 2023, in an intimate yet star-studded ceremony at the Malibu Dream Resort, surrounded by approximately 150 guests including Tyler Perry, Loni Love, and Eva Marcille — a milestone KJ has described as one of the most meaningful and spiritually fulfilling moments of her entire life.
Public Appearances Together
KJ and Skyh have graced red carpets and BET events together on numerous occasions, consistently turning heads with their effortless chemistry, coordinated style, and the genuine warmth they radiate as a couple. Whether at industry premieres, award shows, or candid public outings, they present a united and joyful front that resonates deeply with fans and entertainment media alike.
About KJ Smith’s Husband
Skyh Alvester Black is a talented actor, model, and dancer who has built an impressive career in the entertainment industry entirely on his own merit. He first gained widespread recognition through his role as Calvin on Tyler Perry’s Sistas, where his natural charisma and magnetic screen presence quickly made him a fan favorite — and, as the world would soon discover, the love of KJ Smith’s real life as well.
Skyh brings a calm, grounded, and deeply supportive energy to both his public persona and his marriage. He is known for being openly vocal about his admiration for KJ, and those who know them describe him as exactly the kind of partner she always prayed for — responsible, family-oriented, and genuinely invested in her happiness, growth, and success.
Background And Career
Skyh Alvester Black developed a passion for performance from an early age, channeling his creativity through modeling, dancing, and eventually acting. His role within the Tyler Perry universe opened major professional doors for him, and he has since continued expanding his portfolio through additional television and film appearances, solidifying his reputation as a multi-talented entertainer with real staying power in the industry.
Interests And Hobbies
Outside of his acting career, Skyh is known to be passionate about fitness, travel, music, and creative self-expression in various forms. He maintains an active lifestyle and regularly shares personal glimpses of these interests on social media, giving fans a more intimate look at the warm, grounded man behind the characters he brings to life on screen.
Role In KJ Smith’s Life
Skyh plays a profoundly meaningful role in KJ’s life — not only as her husband and life partner but as a professional peer who genuinely understands the emotional and logistical demands of a career in entertainment. KJ has said publicly that his desire to be a father and build a family was actually one of the key reasons she changed her own perspective on motherhood, making his influence on her life both personal and transformative in the deepest sense.
Relationship Insights
KJ Smith and Skyh Alvester Black represent a relationship built on shared values, mutual admiration, and an authentic friendship that took root long before romance entered the picture. Their love story resonates so powerfully with fans because it feels genuinely real — two people who found each other through their craft, recognized something rare in one another, and chose to build something lasting and beautiful beyond the cameras and the spotlight.
What makes their bond particularly compelling is how openly it has been rooted in faith and intentionality. KJ famously shared that she had written a journal list of her ideal partner’s qualities nearly a decade before meeting Skyh — and he embodied every single one. That kind of spiritual alignment, combined with the everyday work of communication and commitment, has made their relationship one of Hollywood’s most admired and genuinely inspiring love stories.
How They Met
KJ and Skyh first connected on the set of Tyler Perry’s Sistas, where their professional chemistry was immediately evident to everyone around them. Working in close creative collaboration allowed them to build a foundation of trust, mutual respect, and deep understanding that naturally evolved — through friendship first and romance second — into the committed, loving marriage they share today.
Challenges Faced
Like any couple navigating life in the public eye, KJ and Skyh have faced the very real pressures of fame, demanding production schedules, social media scrutiny, and the personal health challenges that KJ has openly shared — including her diagnoses of fibroids and PCOS, which shaped her complex journey toward motherhood. They have spoken candidly about leaning on open communication, patience, and unwavering faith to carry them through every difficulty they have encountered together.
Support System
KJ and Skyh are supported not only by each other but by a rich network of family, close friends, and a passionate fanbase that has cheered for their relationship from the very beginning. That wider circle of love and encouragement has given them a solid, grounded foundation to return to whenever the pressures and unpredictability of Hollywood life threaten to overwhelm — and it remains one of the quiet pillars of their lasting happiness.
KJ Smith And Skyh Black Expecting Their First Child
In one of the most joyful and deeply personal announcements of 2025, KJ Smith and Skyh Black confirmed on Mother’s Day that they are expecting their first child together. The couple shared the news exclusively with ESSENCE, and KJ reflected emotionally on the journey that led her here — from once fully accepting a “rich auntie” life to now preparing for motherhood with the man she describes as the answer to a decade-old prayer written in her personal journal.
KJ had been open about her health challenges, having been diagnosed with both fibroids and PCOS, which had led her to believe that having children might not be part of her story. She and Skyh had even scheduled a fertility appointment for January 2025 to begin exploring IVF — but as KJ shared with ESSENCE, God had other plans, and the couple discovered a natural pregnancy before that appointment ever took place, a moment she described as nothing short of miraculous.
The pregnancy announcement was met with an enormous outpouring of love from fans, co-stars, and the broader entertainment community. For KJ, the moment represents the beautiful fulfillment of a vision she once quietly wrote down and surrendered to faith — proof, as she put it, that when you write the vision and make it plain, and pray with purpose and patience, blessings arrive exactly when and how they are meant to.
Public Perception
KJ Smith is widely regarded as one of the most authentic, hardworking, and genuinely relatable actresses of her generation in Black American television. Audiences admire her not just for the powerful characters she portrays on screen but for the grace, honesty, and faith she brings to her real life — a combination that has made her one of the most beloved public figures in her space.
Media Coverage
Entertainment media has consistently covered KJ Smith in a celebratory and respectful light, highlighting everything from her career milestones within Tyler Perry Productions to her personal journey as a woman of faith navigating love, health, and now motherhood. Her ESSENCE interview about her pregnancy became one of the most widely shared and emotionally resonant celebrity stories of 2025, reflecting just how deeply her audience is invested in her life.
Fan Reactions
KJ Smith’s fanbase is notably passionate, fiercely loyal, and consistently vocal in their support across every platform. The reaction to her pregnancy announcement in particular was overwhelming — fans flooded social media with messages of joy, celebration, and heartfelt emotion, with many sharing that her openness about her PCOS and fibroid diagnoses made the news feel deeply personal and profoundly inspiring to women facing similar challenges.
Social Media Presence
KJ Smith maintains a highly engaged and carefully curated presence across major social media platforms, using her accounts to share career updates, faith-based reflections, fashion moments, wellness content, and now glimpses of her pregnancy journey. Her content consistently strikes the right balance between aspirational and deeply human, which has helped her build a growing digital community that feels genuinely connected to her story.
Future Plans
KJ Smith is moving into the next chapter of her life with remarkable momentum — as an actress, a producer, a wife, and now an expecting mother. She has expressed a clear ambition to continue taking on diverse and challenging creative roles while also developing projects that center authentic, empowering stories told from a Black female perspective, ensuring her impact on the industry extends far beyond her performances alone.
Upcoming Projects Together
With both KJ and Skyh remaining active and celebrated figures within the Tyler Perry universe, fans are eagerly anticipating future on-screen collaborations between the real-life couple. While no specific joint projects have been formally announced, the undeniable chemistry they share — both professionally and personally — makes the prospect of future creative partnerships something the entertainment world is genuinely looking forward to.
Personal Goals
On a deeply personal level, KJ has spoken openly about her evolving vision for her life — one that now includes embracing motherhood with full joy and intention alongside her husband. She has expressed that having children was never part of her original plan, but meeting Skyh completely changed her perspective, and she has since said she wants as many children as she can have, a statement that has deeply moved and delighted her fans.
Public Statements
KJ has consistently used interviews and public platforms to affirm the values that anchor her life — faith, family, artistic integrity, and the power of writing your vision down and believing in it even when the path is unclear. Her transparency about her health journey, her marriage, and now her pregnancy has made her one of the most trusted and genuinely inspiring voices among her generation of Black entertainers.
KJ Smith – Net Worth Overview
KJ Smith’s estimated net worth of approximately $2 million in 2025 reflects over fifteen years of consistent, purposeful work built on talent, discipline, and smart career choices. Her income flows primarily from her long-running acting roles — most notably her celebrated position on Sistas — complemented by brand endorsement deals, public appearances, and her growing presence as a producer and creative voice within the industry.
Net Worth Growth Table (Past 5 Years)
| Year | Estimated Net Worth | Primary Growth Driver |
| 2021 | $1.1 Million | Sistas Season growth, BET exposure |
| 2022 | $1.3 Million | Increased brand endorsements |
| 2023 | $1.6 Million | Expanded TV roles, wedding media coverage |
| 2024 | $1.8 Million | Production ventures, sponsorships |
| 2025 | $2 Million | Acting, pregnancy brand deals & appearances |
Social Media Profiles
| Platform | Handle | Status |
| @kjsmith | ✅ Verified | |
| Twitter / X | @iamkjsmith | ✅ Active |
| KJ Smith Official | ✅ Verified Page | |
| TikTok | @kjsmith | ✅ Active |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is KJ Smith’s husband in 2025?
KJ Smith is married to actor and dancer Skyh Alvester Black, whom she met on the set of Tyler Perry’s Sistas. The couple married on September 3, 2023, at the Malibu Dream Resort in a ceremony attended by around 150 guests including Tyler Perry himself.
Is KJ Smith pregnant in 2025?
Yes, KJ Smith and Skyh Black announced their first pregnancy on Mother’s Day 2025 in an exclusive interview with ESSENCE. The news was especially meaningful given KJ’s previous PCOS and fibroid diagnoses, which had once made her believe motherhood might not be in her future.
How old is KJ Smith in 2025?
KJ Smith turned 40 years old in May 2025, having been born on May 6, 1985, in Tallahassee, Florida. The milestone birthday coincided with one of the most joyful and transformative chapters of both her personal and professional life.
What is KJ Smith best known for?
She is best known for her powerful portrayal of Andrea “Andi” Barnes in Tyler Perry’s Sistas on BET, the role that made her a household name. She has also appeared in The Family Business, Queen Sugar, Dynasty, and NCIS: Los Angeles, establishing herself as one of the most versatile dramatic actresses in Black American television.
What is KJ Smith’s net worth in 2025?
KJ Smith’s estimated net worth in 2025 is approximately $2 million, earned through acting, brand endorsements, public appearances, and her growing production work. Her net worth has grown steadily year over year as her career, public profile, and industry influence have continued to expand.
How tall is KJ Smith?
KJ Smith stands at 5 feet 4 inches, or approximately 163 centimeters. She is widely admired for her slim, fit physique and her consistently elegant and polished personal style both on the red carpet and in her everyday public appearances.
Where did KJ Smith and Skyh Black get married?
KJ Smith and Skyh Black wed on September 3, 2023, at the Malibu Dream Resort in California. Their wedding was attended by close family, friends, and notable industry figures including Tyler Perry, Loni Love, and Eva Marcille, making it one of the most celebrated celebrity weddings of that year.
Conclusion
KJ Smith’s story is one of faith, perseverance, and the quiet power of knowing exactly who you are and what you stand for — even when Hollywood tries to define you otherwise. From earning her business degree in Tallahassee to becoming one of the most celebrated actresses in Tyler Perry Productions, and from writing a prayer list in her journal to marrying the man who fulfilled every word of it, her journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.
As she steps into motherhood alongside Skyh Black and continues expanding her creative footprint as an actress and producer, KJ Smith’s most powerful chapters are clearly still being written. Fans, peers, and the broader entertainment world will be watching — and rooting for her — every step of the way.

Den Mark is a passionate writer specializing in celebrity news, biographies, and net worth insights. With a keen eye for detail, he brings readers the latest updates and intriguing stories from the world of fame.










