blackfilm correspondent Koku Tona sat down with Tallahassee native KJ Smith to talk her role on the #1 rated BET show Sistas, her new role on Power III: Raising Kanan, and much more! The star shared details about her work as a mentor, what it’s like to be recognized in public, and whether or not she gets to keep those fabulous clothes on set!
Check out the interview and let us know what you think!
ABOUT KJ SMITH
KJ can currently be seen starring in a lead role on Tyler Perry’s highest rated series for BET, “Sistas.” Currently airing its third season with a recent announcement of a fourth season renewal, the dramedy centers around a group of four single Black females from different walks of life who bond over their one common thread: “Why am I single?” KJ shines as the high-powered attorney Andi Barnes, who must navigate her complicated love life in a fast-paced, high-stakes industry with the help and advice of her close-knit girlfriends. “Sistas” continuously leads Wednesday night network ratings, ranking #1 amongst cable network shows in their hour with new episodes airing weekly through December 2021.
It was also recently announced that KJ was tapped for a major recurring role in season two of the phenomenally popular “Power” prequel series, “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” on STARZ. From creator and showrunner Sascha Penn, the spinoff series takes viewers back to the ’90s and the early years of the now-deceased Kanan Stark, portrayed in Courtney Kemp’s original series by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. Season two is currently in production in New York City and set to air in 2022. Additionally, KJ currently stars as Sasha Duncan on BET+’s highly rated action-crime-drama series, “The Family Business.” The series follows the upstanding Duncan family, who run a thriving exotic car dealership in NYC while living a dangerous double life by night. Having recurred throughout the first two seasons, KJ was promoted to series regular for season three in her role as Sasha, the niece of L.C. Duncan (Ernie Hudson) and a former hired hitwoman who now works exclusively with her family. All three seasons of “The Family Business” are now available to stream exclusively on BET+.
Having acted on every mainstay cable network, additional popular television credits for KJ include The CW’s fan-favorite drama series, “Dynasty,” Issa Rae’s “Giants,” ABC’s “Black-ish,” Freeform’s “The Fosters,” Netflix’s “Fuller House,” a three-season recurring role on Bounce TV’s “Family Time,” a strong supporting role on ABC’s “The Fix,” Netflix’s “Family Reunion,” CBS’ “All Rise,” and Netflix’s “#BlackAF.”
Born and raised in Tallahassee, FL, KJ knew from a young age that she was destined for stardom. Having worked for over a decade in Hollywood, she is a veteran actress with a devoted following of over 750,000 fans combined across her social media and counting. KJ is also a staunch advocate for giving back to her community and consistently travels back to Florida to speak with underprivileged kids as a mentor within Youth Emerging Stronger (YES), which provides mental, emotional, financial, and educational support to homeless and fostered youths. KJ also takes on an active mentorship role with up-and-coming women in the entertainment industry, speaking openly and candidly about the importance of hope and sharing her personal battle with depression which caused her to temporarily quit acting, further driving her to spread positivity and encouragement to young people and those who may be struggling.
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