If you spent any time driving through Atlanta traffic over the last twenty years, you probably felt like you knew her. You've heard that unmistakable, infectious laugh cutting through the morning fog on V-103. Honestly, for a lot of people, Wanda Smith wasn't just a voice on the radio; she was the "radio wife" of the city.
But lately, when people ask "who is Wanda Smith," the conversation tends to drift toward a viral explosion or the somber news of her passing. There’s a whole lot more to the story than a YouTube clip.
The Queen of Atlanta Airwaves
Basically, Wanda Smith was the heartbeat of Frank and Wanda in the Morning. She teamed up with Frank Ski starting back in 1998, and together, they built a juggernaut. We're talking about a show that sat at the number one spot for years. It wasn't just about the hits or the gossip. It was about the chemistry.
She had this way of making the studio feel like a kitchen table. She wasn't polished in a corporate, robotic way. She was real.
Wanda didn't just stay behind the mic, either. Before she was a radio star, she was a comedian. She cut her teeth at the Uptown Comedy Corner and eventually became a staple at the Atlanta Comedy Theater. She even wrote for Def Comedy Jam and popped up in Tyler Perry films like I Can Do Bad All By Myself. The woman worked. She’d host comedy shows until midnight and still show up at 4 a.m. to wake up the city.
That 2018 Katt Williams Interview
We have to talk about it because everyone else does. In September 2018, things got... uncomfortable. Katt Williams came onto the show, and what started as some light ribbing turned into a full-on roasting session that went nuclear.
Wanda made a joke about Katt's hair. Katt fired back. Hard.
He took aim at her weight, her career, and her fashion. It was cringey to watch because you could see the moment it stopped being "fun radio" and started getting personal. The fallout was even messier. Her husband, LaMorris Sellers, allegedly confronted Katt outside a comedy club later that week. There were reports of a gun being drawn, though Sellers claimed it just fell out of his waistband while he was chasing the comedian.
It was a dark cloud over a legacy that was usually defined by joy. Wanda later admitted she wasn't a "jokester" like that and the exchange threw her off. She left V-103 shortly after in early 2019, which felt like the end of an era for many listeners.
A Legacy Beyond the Jokes
When Wanda Smith passed away on October 12, 2024, at the age of 58, the city of Atlanta felt it. Deeply.
While she had been dealing with a long illness, she kept much of her private struggle away from the public eye. That was just her style—she wanted to be the one putting smiles on other people's faces, not the one looking for sympathy.
- Philanthropy: She didn't just talk about the community; she was in it. She helped raise money after 9/11 and delivered food to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
- Mentorship: Younger comics and radio personalities, like Special K and Ryan Cameron, often speak about how she taught them the "timing" of the business.
- The "Everywoman" Appeal: She was a mother and a wife who happened to be famous, and she never lost that grounded vibe.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think she was "just" a sidekick. That's a mistake. Wanda was the emotional anchor of her shows. Whether she was working with Frank Ski or Ryan Cameron, she brought the "neighborhood" perspective that kept the shows from feeling too "big time."
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She was also a massive advocate for the "unseen" people. She’d visit senior homes where people had no idea she was a celebrity. She just wanted to sit and read to them. That’s the stuff that doesn’t go viral, but it’s the stuff that actually matters.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you’re looking to honor Wanda Smith’s legacy or learn from her career, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Check out her comedy roots: Don't just watch the interviews. Look for old clips of her stand-up or her work with "Wanda Smith & Friends." It shows her range.
- Support local Atlanta comedy: The Atlanta Comedy Theater was her home base. Supporting local venues is the best way to keep the culture she helped build alive.
- Prioritize authenticity over "clout": Wanda’s career lasted decades because she was consistent. Even when things got messy with Katt Williams, she stood her ground as herself.
- Give back quietly: Follow her lead by volunteering or helping out in ways that don't require a social media post.
Wanda Smith was more than a viral moment. She was a mother, a comedian, and a friend to a whole city. She taught Atlanta how to laugh at itself, and honestly, that’s a pretty great way to be remembered.