Currently occupying the number one rating position on Wednesday night scheduling on the BET cable network as well as occupying the number two rating position across the US is the Tyler Perry comedy-drama series Sistas.
Starring KJ Smith, Ebony Obsidian, Mignon Von and Novi Brown in a series written, directed and executive produced by Perry, Sistas follows a group of single black females from different walks of life who bond over their one common thread: why am I single? In this bold new series, viewers watch these women navigate their “complicated love life” status, careers and friendship through the ups-and-downs of living in a modern world of social media and unrealistic relationship goals. The hourlong drama takes viewers on a roller coaster ride of emotions and hilarious moments that are the epitome of #squadgoals.
For Khaneshia “KJ” Smith, who plays the high-powered attorney Andi Barnes, the Tallahassee, FL native is having the best role in her life so far. Although it’s her first leading role series, folks have seen her before on several series playing on network, cable and streaming platforms. In the last few years, she’s had guest-starring roles on shows such as Queen Sugar, Being Mary Jane, Saints & Sinners, Dynasty, NCIS: Los Angeles, Black-ish, Family Time, All Rise and The Family Business, where she will be coming back as Sasha Duncan.
She also appeared in Tyler Perry’s last film as Madea in A Madea Family Funeral and has a starring role in the indie film Fatal Affair alongside Nia Long and Omar Epps that will play on Netflix. 2020 will also see Smith appearing in upcoming Netflix TV series BlackAF created by Kenya Barris, a family comedy that centers on Barris’ own family life. Every role she takes is different from the other as is her appearances. She’s the ultimate chameleon when it when it comes to her looks and characters she plays.
Blackfilm.com recently caught up with Smith as she discussed her role on Sistas, the roles she takes and what makes her stay humble.
How does it feel to be on a hit show?
KJ Smith: It feels surreal. It feels incredible. Like it’s a dream come true. It’s what I envision for myself. I’ve always wanted to be able to connect with people in this way. And for people to feel like they see themselves on television and tell stories. It’s a dream come true.
Now for those who are not familiar with the show, or if they haven’t caught up with it, can you tell me what the show’s about and who you play?
KJ Smith: The show is basically about a circle of friends who are all experiencing different things at the same time. We are all single in the city of Atlanta, and we’re trying to understand how to navigate and balance life, love, career, family and friendship all at the same time. I play the character of Andi Barnes. I got it together – money, power and respect. I have a secure job. I have a boo, who I love and adore. I’m in a penthouse apartment and I just got a raise. My life is going great on the surface, until things take a turn for the worse.
Have you been following the comments on the show through social media?
KJ Smith: 100% I’m very active. It’s my favorite thing to do. I like to tune in and watch the show on the East and West Coast with my fans. I find myself connecting with a lot of my online fans because I can feel their love and support. That feeling alone makes me extremely grateful. Also, I haven’t seen the show beforehand so it’s exciting for me to watch the show with them. Yes, I read the scripts and did the performance but I don’t know what happens on the cutting board. I don’t know what edits are made. So yes, I’m very active. On Wednesday nights people are always asking, “What are you doing?”, and I’ll say, “I am at home on my couch watching too.” It’s a three or four-hour process between coast times. While I’m watching I decided to reach out to the people who support us and tweet and IG post them back.
How do you relate to Andi?
KJ Smith: Oh, wow. All of her with the exception of sleeping with a married man, I think that I’m a voice of reason in my friend group. I am the one that people can call on. I’m reliable. My friends ask me for help. I’m definitely in a great place, career-wise, I’m a workaholic and the next step in my life is finding love and what that looks like. So, I think all of me because that’s the place where Andy is. She’s got everything except the love component.
How’s it working with the rest of the cast and with Mr. Perry?
KJ Smith: Working with the girls is incredible because we are who we say we are. We get along because we are true to each other and we love each other’s differences and similarities. We present who we actually are. That’s always great when you work with people who are 100% authentically themselves, then you can love what you know. I love working with the girls. It’s a real love. We were real friends and Tyler’s my guy. He’s one of my favorite people on this planet next to my mom. He’s just so inspirational. He’s so encouraging and he’s changing the world. For me to be able to work with a living legend is an honor.
Besides Sistas, are you coming back to The Family Business season 2?
KJ Smith: I am going to be in Carl Webber’s The Family Business Season Two as Sasha Duncan. I’m really excited about reprising my role. You’re going to get a lot more Sasha this year. I am really excited about the levels and the layers that everyone’s going get to see because she’s not just some murderous assassin. She’s got depth and she’s got heart and you get to see her family life as well. You get to see her storyline with her family. There will be some exciting news about who my family members are and how we interact so I’m excited about sharing that as well.
So between these two series, what goes into saying yes to the project s you’re taking?
KJ Smith: Now it has to be availability. I was blessed enough to when I finished Sistas, I was able to book a movie right away because right after the show, my team was like, “Alright, let’s go, we can do a movie now.” So, Fatal Affair is coming out this summer on Netflix. So now the first thing is about my availability. Am I even available to do it? It’s the first thing I think about. Secondly, is this a role I would like to play? Is this a character I would like to portray? Is this something I haven’t done before? I’ve been blessed to play so many different characters from a mom fresh out of rehab trying to reconnect with her son, to a sassy secretary to City Commissioner of Atlanta and now a lawyer with an ensemble group of friends. For me, it’s about the availability and is this something that I want to share with the world? Is this a role I want to bring to the world?
When you’re not on TV, and you’re not on social media or anything else, how do you stay humble?
KJ Smith: Well, originally it was just having great people around me, great people who are not convoluted by this industry around me, my mom, my grandma, my sister, and my friends from back home. Now in addition to that, it’s my therapist. I do have a therapist. I do go to therapy and that helps big time. And my fans. It’s really been incredible for me; especially now that we have the ability to connect with the fans. That keeps me humble. There’s no way you can not be grounded when there’s a 14 year old in your inbox, and says, Hey, I’m having some problems at school. These girls are telling me that I’m ugly, and I believe them. That type of stuff keeps me so grounded and keeps me connected with my community. I’m having the greatest year of my life so far. And when I’m able to connect with the people who have supported this great year, and I see what they’re going through, I’m not so far removed from that. I remember that time. I remember going through those things, and I have the ability to stay grounded to stay in touch. I keep my ear to the streets. I don’t ever want to lose sight of my community and particularly little black girls out there.
Do you have any outside projects besides films that you’re currently involved with?
KJ Smith: Yes, I am an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy, which is a condition my father had before he passed away. I thought it was really important for me to bring his vision to life. He had a charity that he will do every year in the month of May. It was called the Cerebral Palsy Roll-a-Thon. I’m carrying that torch and bringing awareness and diversity. You will be surprised how many black people don’t even know what cerebral palsy is. It’s just not one of the more “glorified” conditions in our country or in the world. So, for me it is really important to bring a voice of inclusion and diversity from the woman’s perspective and from the African Americans’ perspective to the charity and to the world. I was telling my friends that growing up I was very defensive. I was very angry growing up because I would go to a mall, for instance, with my dad, and people would look at him like he’s not a human being. That’s something I actually unraveled in therapy recently.
Whenever anyone sees you on Instagram or at events, you never look the same. Is that your decision or your stylist?
KJ Smith: That’s just me as a person. I don’t like to be confined or boxed in. I am very versatile in who I am. I’m a multi-layered person; that changes my clothes, hair and everything else to reflect that, depending on what mood I’m in. I love showing different facets of my personality.
How many more episodes of Sistas are left to air?
KJ Smith: We have five more episodes left.
That’s more than 20 episodes in one season, which is rare these days for a non-procedural drama series.
KJ Smith: Yes. Most series are doing eight, maybe 10 episodes, even with streaming. I feel incredibly blessed that everyone’s been able to follow our journey for so long and have time to actually jump on board before it’s all over.
What’s a good reason for folks to watching Sistas?
KJ Smith: I feel like we’ve created the perfect recipe between comedy and drama. We cover topics that are relevant and pressing boundaries in today’s society. Social media, homosexuality and the transgender conversation, infidelity, love, career choices and racism. After each show we want to provide a discussion piece, that you can revisit with your family, friends, co-workers and lovers.
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