
Who is Kathy "K Smilez" Smith?I am Kathy Smith, affectionately known as “K Smilez.” I am God’s daughter, a proud mother of four, and grandmother of seven. After 32 years of marriage I became a widow and has since focused on my faith, family, and career. Most people see me as a well rounded, witty, down to earth Southern girl who is very passionate about her work and helping others to achieve. I am a very talented multifaceted individual who wears many hats in the entertainment industry. As Kathy “K Smilez” Smith, I am all things entertainment. I am an African American entrepreneur, an International Award winning movie Producer, Director, Screenwriter, Playwright, Content creator, Life coach, Public Speaker, Author, Actress, Agent/Manager, Humanitarian, and so much more.
As the CEO and Founder of K Smilez Entertainment and On Point Talent and Modeling Agency, both of which are committed to uplifting independent talent and underprivileged communities. I have built a platform to train and represent emerging artists, actors, children, and models. My purpose extends beyond entertainment, as I am dedicated to creating opportunities for others to thrive, both in their careers and personal lives. My work is focused on diversity, creativity, and community impact.
Among my proudest achievements is the creation of The Executive Protection Elite
Bodyguard Awards, the very first awards show of its kind to recognize excellence in executive
protection across entertainment, government, military, and corporate sectors. This award show was inspired by my late son, MaRico Smith who was a protective figure in my life, and has garnered the attention of A-list celebrities including Tyrese Gibson and Mark McCutcheon, who has now partnered with me to bring the show to other big cities like Los Angeles, Ca in 2025. This award show gave me a chance to honor men and women that are often overlooked or in most cases underappreciated. Creating this award show allowed me to channel my grief into something meaningful, and it reignited my passion for helping others.
Where are you from or live now?I’m originally from Memphis, Tennessee, a city rich in culture and history. Memphis shaped my early experiences, from music to community, and gave me the foundation I needed to pursue a career in entertainment. I married at the young age of 22, moved to Los Angeles, and started a family with my late husband of 32 years. After spending years living in Los Angeles. I now reside in Atlanta, Georgia, a city known for its growing film and entertainment industry. Atlanta provides me with a vibrant backdrop to grow my businesses and make a significant impact on the communities.
What are your inspirations?My faith in God is my biggest source of inspiration. Everything I do, from my work in entertainment to my community service, is guided by my belief in purpose and giving back. I’m also inspired by my parents, my late father Mr. Ed Smith Jr. and my 91 year old mother, Earma Curtis Smith. My father was a great provider and my mother is a true nurturer who instilled good morals and values in me and my 9 brothers and sisters.
I can also credit my children, Bryant, Jasmine, and Jordan to the list of inspiration. After seeing my children lose their big brother, then a few years later my husband, their father, the amount of strength it took for them to keep going was phenomenal. They knew that God was the only sure way to get through the challenges of life. Instead of turning to the streets or finding negative outlets to cope with the pain, they all attended college and made a great life for themselves. Now the twinkle of my heart are my seven grandchildren who inspire me because of their unconditional love, knowledge, and wisdom at such young ages. My two older grandson’s Marico Smith Jr. and Marco Tyson had to endure the pain of losing their father, my son, as well as my third oldest grandson DaMani Smith who wasn’t born when my son passed away. The two older boys are in college on scholarships and turning their trials into triumphs, while DaMani is in middle school and has recently moved to Nigeria with his mother and step-father.
My four other grandchildren are Amoni Farrare, SaRayia Denton, Jordan Denton Jr., and Sev’n Denton. They remind me of the importance of creating a lasting legacy, which motivates me to push forward even when challenges arise. Finally, my late son MaRico Smith continues to inspire me every day, he was my biggest cheerleader. He felt that I could conquer the world in stilettos. He believed in me even when sometimes I didn’t believe in myself. His protective spirit and love shaped who I am today, and much of my work honors his memory.
What is your business or career choice?I am an Entrepreneur in the entertainment industry, specializing in acting, producing, and talent management. Through K Smilez Entertainment and On Point Talent and Modeling Agency, I help independent talents, beginners and those who just need help to expand their careers. I produce stage plays, films, and TV shows, and I also train and mentor seasoned actors, children, inspiring actors, and models. Additionally, I run a non-profit, K Smilez Global Outreach, which focuses on helping children and adults who have experienced bullying, abuse, abandonment, or neglect. I’m dedicated to using my career as a platform to make meaningful changes in the lives of others.
I have earned multiple prestigious awards throughout my career including (to name a few) the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joe Biden, Producer of the Year from the Youth Performing Arts Gala at the Fox Theater, Business Woman of the Year, Excellent in Film and Stage awards, International Celebrity of the Year from my hometown of Memphis, Tn. My critically acclaimed traveling hit comedy Stage play “Why Am I Still Single” has received multiple awards and accolades from a variety of entertainment outlets.
As an actress, my acting career has a long list of accomplishments, including my most
notable role as a co-star in the Internationally acclaimed film Free In Deed, where I played
Pearlie, a Christian prayer warrior. Free In Deed won Best Movie in Italy and Turkey and was
nominated alongside the Oscar winning film Moonlight at the Los Angeles Spirit Awards. I
have also appeared in multiple publications including The New York Times, Variety, Rotten
Tomatoes, USA Today, People’s and several International articles around the world. I’ve
also starred in reenactment shows such as Fatal Attraction, Homicide Hunter, and made special
appearances in Good Girls, Love & Hip-Hop, Kountry Wayne, and many more. You can
watch me co-starring in the International award winning film Free In Deed on NBC’s Peacock
Channel.
In my early years of acting, I made appearances in such films as What’s Love Got to Do With It
(the Tina Turner story), Lady Bugs, Black Snake Moan, Dave, the Oscar-winning film Hustle
and Flow. and so many others. My very first introduction to film was in the mid 80’s where I was featured in The Laker Girls movie, which further established my presence in Hollywood.
In music, I have been signed with BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.) for over 30 years and have been credited as a songwriter, and producer. I’ve written songs for Independent and established artists from various genres of music. Managing the careers of several independent artists was no easy task, but it all paid off in the end. Some of the artists emerged and became well established sought after entertainers in the music industry. I’m currently managing the Southern Soul Heartthrob “Quasey” who is sweeping the nation with his hit single “Friday.”
What are some of the obstacles that you have overcome as a single woman?As a widowed single woman, balancing my personal life as a mother and grandmother with my demanding professional responsibilities has been one of my greatest challenges. Financial independence has also been a hurdle, especially in the early stages of building my businesses. There were times when I felt like I was doing everything on my own, from providing for my family to managing a growing career. Additionally, working in the entertainment industry (a male-dominated space) meant facing biases and having to constantly prove my worth as a businesswoman and creative. Despite these obstacles, I’ve persevered and built a successful career that reflects my passions and commitment to others.

How did you overcome it?I’ve relied heavily on my faith to guide me through difficult times. Prayer and staying grounded in my belief that God has a plan for me have given me strength. I’ve also developed a strong support system of mentors, friends, and family who uplift me when challenges arise. Professionally, I’ve worked hard to stay focused on my goals, remain resilient, and continuously improve my skills. Every obstacle I’ve faced has taught me valuable lessons about persistence, dedication, and the power of community.
What was the biggest challenge that held you back to stay in a situation?Losing my son was the biggest emotional challenge I’ve ever faced. It brought everything in my life to a standstill. For a time, I was unsure how to move forward, and I felt like I was stuck in grief. I was in unfamiliar territory. I had never faced losing a child so the separation from my first born son was devastating and confusing. This battle was too big to fight alone. I knew that only God could handle this for me so I let go and let God. I had to accept the fact that God doesn’t make mistakes. I trust in the Lord with all my heart so I must also trust his will.
How did it affect you? Your children? Your family? Your friends?The loss of my son and my husband deeply affected my family. It changed the way we interact with one another, bringing us closer and making us more intentional in how we love and support each other. For me personally, it was a turning point. I became more focused on living with purpose and ensuring that my loved one’s memories would be honored in everything I do. However, instead of letting that pain hold me back any further, I found a way to turn it into purpose. Honoring my son through the creation of The Executive Protection Elite Bodyguard Awards was one way to keep his legacy alive. His music is added to the soundtracks of my movies, sitcoms, and series. We give out a yearly scholarship to deserving seniors in high school in his honor, which was a scholarship fund created by my sister Janice Penny, and just making sure the legacy of my son will shine with every opportunity that presents itself.
My friends and family have been incredibly supportive, helping me through the toughest moments and giving me the strength to continue building my businesses and legacy.

What did you learn from your situation?I learned that life is fragile and time is precious. Losing someone you love changes your perspective on everything. I now understand the importance of being present, of living with intention, and of giving people their flowers while they’re still here. Professionally, I’ve learned that it’s possible to transform pain into power, and that even in difficult times, you can create something beautiful. My experiences have made me more compassionate, more driven, and more committed to helping others.
Say one word to describe yourself and why.“Resilient.” I’ve faced countless challenges, both personal and professional, but I’ve never let them break me. Instead, I’ve used every setback as an opportunity to grow stronger and more determined. My resilience comes from my faith and my belief that I’m walking in my purpose.
How are you helping others with the life situations you have faced or are facing? First and foremost I believe in the power of prayer. I help others get through their situations by being very transparent about the things that I have faced throughout my life. I provide safe spaces for them to build self-esteem and understand their worth. Communication is always the key to understanding. I’m very passionate when it comes to helping others, I feel that God put me here for that reason. I also mentor young talents, artists, and entrepreneurs, offering guidance based on my own experiences. I want people to know that no matter what challenges they face, they can overcome them and achieve their dreams. I’ve faced significant obstacles, and I know firsthand the power of having someone in your corner to help you navigate through tough situations.
Do you hope to have a personal relationship in the future and will it affect your career as a single successful woman?While I’m open to personal relationships, I rely solely on God to guide that special someone into my life. But, in the meantime, my priority is on my family, my career, and continuing to build my legacy. I believe that any relationship I enter into in the future will be one that complements my career rather than takes away from it. I’ve built a successful life for myself, and I’m confident that any relationship will only enhance that.

What are your social media handles?
● Instagram: Kathysmith_Ksmilez
● Twitter: Kathysmith_ent
● Facebook: Kathy K Smilez Smith
● Website: Ksmilez.com
As a single woman in focus today, what is one piece of advice you would give to help encourage another single female to stay focused?My advice is to “Believe in yourself and never let anyone tell you that you can’t achieve your dreams. Stay focused on your goals, surround yourself with positive influences, and keep pushing forward no matter the challenges you face."You are stronger than you think, and with faith and determination, you can accomplish anything. Believe in yourself and the world will believe in you.

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